Julia Roberts

Julia Fiona Roberts (Smyrna, Georgia, October 28, 1967) is an American film and television actress, winner of the Academy Award for Best Actress, as well as three Golden Globes. in the categories of Best Actress in a Drama, Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical, and Best Supporting Actress, a BAFTA for Best Actress, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Leading Actress.

Known for her performances in films such as Steel Magnolias (1989), Pretty Woman (1990), The Pelican Brief (1993), My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), Notting Hill (1999), Runaway Bride (1999), Ocean's Eleven (2001) and La Mexicana (2001) became the highest-paid actress in 2000, when she starred in the film Erin Brockovich and for the one who received twenty million dollars. She is considered one of the women with the highest purchasing power in American cinema, with an estimated fortune of 170 million dollars.

In 1999 she became the first woman to be named the most profitable performer of the year by US distributors, thanks to the hits of Notting Hill and Runaway Bride, maintaining the female lead for ten years until Sandra Bullock achieved it in 2009 thanks to The Proposal and A possible dream.

Biography

Julia Roberts or Julia Fiona Roberts (her full name) was born in Smyrna, Georgia, on October 28, 1967, and was christened Julia Fiona Roberts. In an interview, the actress narrated as Martin Luther King and his wife, Coretta Scott King were friends of her parents and helped pay for the hospital where Julia was born. Her parents, before she was born, had run an acting workshop. They married in 1965 and divorced in 1972. His mother, Betty Lou Bredemus (1934-2015), remarried that same year to Michael Motes, whom he would divorce in 1983. His father, Walter Grady Roberts (1933- 1977), was a salesman and always had a very deep relationship with Roberts. Her father died of pharyngeal cancer in 1977, when the actress was just ten years old, which would affect her deeply. Roberts has two brothers, Eric Roberts (1956) and Lisa Roberts Gillan (1965), both actors, and she is the aunt of fellow actress Emma Roberts. Roberts had a sister on the maternal side named Nancy Motes (c.1977), who would pass away apparently from an overdose on February 10, 2014. She always remembers that in her house the family environment was totally liberal and all the siblings supported each other a close relationship.

Julia Roberts attended Fitzhugh Elementary School, then continued her studies at Griffin culminating in Campbell High School, all locations in Smyrna. She always wanted to be a veterinarian, but she ended up studying journalism. She moved with Lisa to New York and launched her acting career in 1987 with a small role in Firehouse, in which she was not even credited. She had a hard time getting another job, until her brother, Eric, talked to Peter Masterson about giving her a role in the drama Blood Red (1989), which was not very successful. The film was to be directed by Eric himself alongside the late Dennis Hopper. According to E!, Roberts compared herself to the lead character she played in Runaway Bride, since she had been engaged several times, and she always ran away before getting married.

Artistic career

1988-1999

After participating in numerous projects that did not have much impact, Julia Roberts had her first opportunity with the character of Daisy Arujo in the comedy Mystic Pizza (1988), directed by Donald Petrie, as well as participating in one of the episodes of the highly successful series Miami Vice, where she played the wife of a drug dealer. After this opportunity, he would get his first big role with Steel Magnolias (1989), a film in which he shared the bill with actresses such as Sally Field or Shirley MacLaine, giving him his first Golden Globe for Best supporting actress and her first Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category.

Julia Roberts in 1990.

She later played the prostitute Vivian Ward in the romantic comedy Pretty Woman (1990), in which she starred opposite Richard Gere. The tape raised just over 460 million dollars worldwide, for which she would win the Golden Globe Award again, this time in the category of Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical, as well as a new Oscar nomination for best actress. After reaping another new success in her professional career, her first failure would come contrary to her participation in the thriller Mortal Line (1990) with Kiefer Sutherland and Kevin Bacon. Despite this, she would hit the mark again with the drama Sleeping with her enemy (1991), in which she played a woman who was mistreated by her husband. Although it grossed $174 million at the worldwide box office, critics turned their backs on it.

Later, he would work with Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman in Hook (1991), a live-action film adaptation of the Peter Pan tale in which Julia Roberts gave life to the character of Tinkerbell. The tape did not receive the support of the specialized press, but even so it would raise more than 300 million worldwide. That same year she starred opposite Campbell Scott in the romantic drama Todo Por Amor. Later he would participate in the thriller The Pelican Report (1993), along with Denzel Washington, a film based on the John Grisham novel of the same name, which would come to raise 200 million at the box office. After this film and for a few years, Roberts concatenated film projects that did not have much impact, such as I like trouble (1994), with Nick Nolte, which would be the lowest rated film of his entire film career; the romantic drama Something to Talk About (1995) alongside Dennis Quaid or Mary Reilly (1996) for which she was nominated for the Razzie Awards. She would participate in the musical Woody Allen's Everybody Says I Love You (1996), in which he shared the bill with actors such as Drew Barrymore, Edward Norton, Natalie Portman and Goldie Hawn among others.

Julia Roberts and Congressman Jim Langevin in May 2002.

After a stage without major projects, he would regain favor with the public and the press with the comedy My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), alongside Dermot Mulroney, Rupert Everett and Cameron Diaz, in which she played Julianne Potter, a woman bent on destroying her best friend's wedding in order to marry him. She received a new Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress - Musical or Comedy. The film garnered support from the film press, grossed nearly $300 million at the worldwide box office, and would also receive nominations for the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and the Academy Award for Best Original Score. That same year he premiered the thriller Conspiracy (1997) alongside Mel Gibson, which was directed by Richard Donner.

At the end of the 1990s, she achieved numerous successes such as: the drama Stay by my side (1998), in which she shared the bill with Susan Sarandon and Ed Harris and in which she was a producer executive; and the romantic comedies Notting Hill (1999) and Runaway Bride (1999). In Notting Hill she played Anna Scott, a very famous film actress who fell in love with an ordinary man from London, played by Hugh Grant. The film was praised by the specialized press, collecting more than 360 million dollars at the box office worldwide and would mean her fourth Golden Globe nomination, again in the Golden Globe category for best actress in a comedy or musical. He also received two other nominations for these awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy Film. In Runaway Bride he would meet again with Richard Gere and Héctor Elizondo seven years after Pretty Woman (1990), achieving a new box office hit of 310 million. Thanks to these last two films, she became the first woman to be considered the most profitable film of the year by American film distributors. year he participated in Law and Order in its ninth season in episode 20 titled "Empire" (Empire), as Katrina Ludlow, lover of the victim.

2000-2005

Julia Roberts with an American soldier at Incirlik (Turkey) Air Base Hospital in December 2001.

Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia and Julia Roberts, the main characters Ocean's Elevenwith director Steven Soderbergh, December 2001

Roberts starred in the drama based on true events Erin Brockovich (2000), in which she played a woman who tries to investigate why the water in a small town in the United States makes its inhabitants sick. Her performance won her the Oscar for Best Actress, the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama, the BAFTA for Best Actress, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Leading Actress. Likewise, the film received rosy reviews, grossing $256 million at the global box office. In addition, Roberts would become the first woman to earn $20 million for her role in the film, being the highest-paid actress in history..

After this interpretation, he concatenated several films such as The Mexican (2001), in which he shared the bill with Brad Pitt, although they barely coincided on the screen; or in a supporting role in the comedy about the life of actors in Hollywood entitled The Couple of the Year (2001) with Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Cusack and Billy Crystal. She participated in the adaptation, Ocean's Eleven (2001), playing Tess Ocean , the wife of the thief Danny Ocean who in the film he is played by George Clooney. Actors such as Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy García and Don Cheadle among others also participated in it. The tape worked critically and commercially, raising 450 million dollars.She then intervened in the sequel entitled Ocean's Twelve (2004), which was joined by Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Roberts took a break after her maternity leave and returned to the movies with the 1950s-set drama Mona Lisa Smile (2004), in which she shared scenes with Julia Stiles and Kirsten Dunst. She also appeared in a supporting role in the drama Closer (2004) alongside Jude Law, Clive Owen and Natalie Portman, garnering good reviews from the specialized press.In addition, the film received two nominations for the Oscars.

2006-Present

Julia Roberts in Paris in 2010.

Roberts provided his voice in the animated films Ant Bully Welcome to the Anthill (2006) and Charlotte's Web (2006), the latter starring Dakota Fanning.

Later came titles such as the political drama Game of Power (2007) alongside Tom Hanks and Philip Seymour Hoffman, in which she played Joanne Herring, a lady of high society. For her participation in this film, she was once again nominated for the Golden Globe in the Golden Globe category for Best Supporting Actress. In addition, the film received four other nominations, including a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. the CIA. For her participation in this film, she was once again nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical. In addition, at the 67th awards ceremony she presented the shortlist for Best Film - Drama. She also participated in the romantic comedy Valentine's Day (2010), in which he shared the bill with actors such as Jessica Alba, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner, Jamie Foxx, Taylor Lautner and Kathy Bates, among others. The film was slammed by specialized critics, although it grossed $56 million in its first weekend, thus becoming one of the highest-grossing romantic comedies on its opening weekend.

In 2009 Julia became the new face of the successful brand Lancôme and then, in 2012, she became the global ambassador for the brand's new fragrance "La vie est belle" olfactory creation by Olivier Polge, Dominique Ropion and Anne Flipo. Regarding Roberts, the president of Lancôme International, Youcef Nabi said:

"The only person who can represent the femininity of fragrance and who can represent all women (for their honesty) is Julia Roberts."

In 2010 she was awarded the Donostia Prize at the San Sebastián Film Festival where her film Eat, pray, love was presented together with Javier Bardem. The story narrates the life and love adventures of Liz Gilbert, a recently divorced woman who, despite having everything, such as a good house, an exemplary husband and great professional success, feels disoriented. Determined to find herself again, she embarks on a journey around the world. In Italy she will discover the pleasure of food, in India the power of prayer and true love in Bali.

In 2011, Roberts starred in the romantic comedy Larry Crowne as Mercedes Tainot alongside fellow lead and director Tom Hanks. The film received generally poor reviews, with only 35% of 175 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

She also starred in Tarsem Singh's 2012 adaptation of Snow White, called Mirror, Mirror, alongside Lily Collins and Armie Hammer among others, playing the role of the Evil Queen.

American Girl films: Roberts has brought some of the American Girl books to life as films, executive producing alongside her sister Lisa.

She was also the official presenter of the Best Motion Picture - Drama shortlist at the 70th Golden Globe Awards on January 13, 2013.

In early January 2013, it was confirmed that Roberts would star in The Normal Heart, a film for the HBO television network that tells the story of a paraplegic doctor Emma Brookner, played by her, who treats the first AIDS-infected patients when the virus breaks out in New York in the early 1980s. The film, which was released in 2014, is based on Larry Kramer's autobiographical play The Normal Heart, written in 1985 and for which she would win a Tony Award. It was directed by Ryan Murphy and co-starred Mark Ruffalo, who plays Ned Weeks, a gay writer and activist who founds the first HIV advocacy group to raise public awareness of the disease.

Private life

Sentimental relationships

Julia Roberts together with Judy Biggert at the U.S. Capitol.

Julia Roberts is known for numerous romances, several of them with co-stars such as Daniel Day-Lewis, Liam Neeson, Dylan McDermott, Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric, Matthew Perry, and Benjamin Bratt. She was engaged to Dylan McDermott, his co-star in Steel Magnolias, their relationship ended during the filming of Pretty Woman. She was also engaged to actor Kiefer Sutherland, whom she met in the 1990 film Death Line. Roberts and Sutherland announced their engagement with elaborate planning for their wedding that was scheduled for June 14, 1991. But Roberts suddenly broke off the engagement three days before the wedding because he had been unfaithful with a stripper. Roberts then traveled to Ireland in the company of Jason Patric, a friend of Sutherland's. On June 25, 1993, she married country music singer Lyle Lovett. The wedding took place at St. James Lutheran Church in Marion, Indiana, near where Lovett appeared on tour with his band. In March 1995, the couple separated and later divorced.

In 1998, Roberts began dating Law & Order star Benjamin Bratt, who would be her date at the Academy Awards on March 25, 2001, at the which would win her Best Actress Oscar. In June 2001, Roberts and Bratt announced that they were no longer a couple: "It has come to a kind and tender end," she said of their relationship.

The actress found sentimental stability with Daniel Moder, whom she met while filming El Mexicano (2001) and whom she would marry in July 2002 in a ceremony held in New Mexico. Currently, the couple have three children together, the twins Phinnaeus Walter and Hazel Patricia, who were born on November 28, 2004 in Los Angeles, United States. In this same city, their third child was born on June 18 of 2007, whom they called Henry Daniel. The family usually resides several months a year in the ranch that the actress owns in New Mexico, since she maintains that it is a great place to relax in the company of her children and her husband.

Beliefs

Roberts was raised in the Christian faith, and was influenced by both Catholicism and the Baptist religion, although she strongly believes that her upbringing was Catholic.

In a 2010 interview for Elle magazine, he revealed that he believes in Hinduism and its practices. Currently, she is a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaj-ji). A photo of this religious Hindu attracted Roberts to these believing practices. Even so, she considers that the legacy of the Catholic faith is still valid in her.

Charities

Roberts has given his time and resources to UNICEF, as well as other charities. Roberts has been a goodwill ambassador for that body since May 10, 1995, when she Roberts arrived in Port-au-Prince, where she said: "Educate yourself." The poverty she encountered was overwhelming. "My heart just broke," she said to herself. Unicef officials hoped that her six-day visit would lead to donations of $10 million for the aid requested at the time. In that same year Roberts traveled to Haiti officiating as ambassador:

"I am here with Unicef to see what we can do to bring more love and support to the children of Haiti, which I believe are the hope and heart of this country."

In 2000, Roberts was the narrator of "Silent Angels," a documentary about Rett syndrome, a genetic neurological and developmental disorder, which was shot in Los Angeles, Baltimore and New York. The documentary was conceived to help raise public awareness about this rare disease that mainly affects girls. In July 2006, Earth Biofuels announced Roberts as a spokesperson for the company and as chair of the newly formed Advisory Board, for the promotion of the use of renewable fuels.

Complete filmography

Cinema

Television

Awards and nominations

Oscars

Golden Globe Awards

BAFTA Awards

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Primetime Emmy Awards

San Sebastian International Film Festival