Julia Roberts was born on October 28, 1967, in Smyrna, Georgia, to Betty Lou (Hamm) and Walter Grady Roberts. Her father was a plumbing supply business owner who died on April 15, 1996. Her mother is now an actress and drama teacher. Julia has three older siblings—Eric Roberts (her actor/director/producer brother), Lisa Roberts Gillan (her actress sister) and Barry Roberts (her half-brother). Her birthdate puts her in the Scorpio zodiac sign.
Julia Roberts’ early career
In 1986, Julia Roberts signed with Hollywood talent agent Marcy Laffman at the age of 15. She has frequently cited Julia Roberts as the person who had the greatest influence on her acting career. Laffman took Roberts to her first casting call.
In 1987, Julia Roberts made her acting debut as a child model in the TV movie Fighting Mad.
In 1988, Julia Roberts landed her first movie role in Diner, as Loretta McCubbin, a member of a diner staff. She later appeared in several other movies, including No Holds Barred (1988), The Winner Takes It All (1989), Carnal Knowledge (1991) and The Pelican Brief (1993).
In 1992, Roberts starred in her first leading role in My Best Friend’s Wedding, which was directed by George Roy Hill. The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
How much Julia Roberts is worth?
Julia Roberts’ net worth is around $250 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. That puts her near the top of the rich and famous. She ranks behind only Angelina Jolie and Oprah Winfrey as the biggest female stars in the world, and in the top 10 when adjusted for inflation.
Julia’s high-end acting roles have allowed her to keep her salary relatively low. Her last film, Wonder, cost a reported $20 million to produce and earned Julia about $18 million.
Julia’s movies generally earn about $100 million at the box office.
Here’s how Julia’s highest grossing movies of all time stack up:
Amadeus (1984): $172.3 million
My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997): $296.7 million
Ocean’s Twelve (2004): $414.3 million
Shanghai Knights (2003): $227.
What does she do for a living?
Roberts got her big break in 1993 with her Academy Award-winning role as Erin Brockovich. She went on to star in other big blockbusters such as My Best Friend’s Wedding and Notting Hill. She also has appeared in a number of television shows such as Murder, She Wrote, A Perfect Murder, and Without A Trace.
Julia is also a successful book author. Her book, Eat, Pray, Love, is an international bestseller that has sold over 25 million copies worldwide. In 2008, she signed a book deal with Random House to write a biography of Marilyn Monroe, but this project was never realized. She is the author of the books Nobody’s Angel, My Blue Heaven, and Seven Weeks. She has also co-written a children’s book, My Father’s Daughter, with her sister Lisa.
Career highlights
Julia Roberts became a superstar with the release of the 1991 hit My Best Friend’s Wedding.
Since then, she has been one of the most in-demand actresses in the world. Julia has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for the films Notting Hill, The Hours and August: Osage County. She has won the Golden Globe and Emmy Award for Best Actress. Her other achievements include four Golden Globe nominations, one BAFTA Award nomination, one Saturn Award nomination, three Critics’ Choice Award nominations, four SAG Award nominations, one Golden Globe nomination, two BAFTA nominations, two Primetime Emmy nominations, and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
Personal life
In 1988, Roberts married cinematographer Danny Moder, who she met on the set of Jerry Maguire. In 2001, Roberts gave birth to twin boys, Alexander and Theodore. She and Moder were together until their divorce in 2011. Her romance with talent agent Phil D’Agostino ended in 2010.
In early 2010, Roberts was hospitalized after being bitten on the hand by her dog. At the time, her spokesperson said that she had suffered “a significant bite” and was treated at a hospital, although no details were given about her injuries. She was later released and issued a public apology to anyone who might have been offended by the incident.
Aside from her acting and modeling career, Roberts has maintained a close relationship with her family.
Relationships and children
Julia Roberts has three children: Conor (born 1999), Hazel Roberts (born 2002) and Henry James Roberts (born 2006). She met her ex-husband, Danny Moder, on the set of their 2001 film, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. Their daughter, Hazel, was born just before they tied the knot on September 7, 2002. They divorced in August 2008, just months before their 9-year wedding anniversary.
In 2005, Roberts began dating her former NINE LIVES costar, Benjamin Barnes. They were married at the Little Chapel of the Flowers in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 8, 2007. This was the second marriage for both of them, as both had previously been married before. They divorced in 2013.
Julia is not in a relationship and does not have any children.
Favorite things to do in her free time
I love to read. And I love to create things. I draw and paint and love to write.
Why do you act?
I wanted to make a living and do what I loved when I was a kid. I wanted to give back to the world, and I still feel that way.
What movies and TV shows have most influenced your life or work?
My favorites are probably the “Fast & Furious” movies. I love action and comic books. Also, Steven Spielberg movies.
What song means most to you?
“The Power of Goodbye” by Foo Fighters. It’s been my theme song for the last few years.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?
It’s easy for me to say, but a real “cool” thing would be volunteering for Meals on Wheels in New York City.