Hollywood icon Julia Roberts, known for her charismatic smile and remarkable versatility, is celebrating her 57th birthday today. In a career spanning over 35 years, Roberts has starred in a wide variety of films that have enthralled audiences around the world.
From heart-warming romantic comedies to intense dramas, Roberts’ top-notch performances have made an impact on cinema. As we celebrate his legacy, let’s take a look at his 5 most iconic roles.
1. Erin Brockovich – Erin Brockovich (2000)
In Steven Soderbergh’s Erin Brockovich, Roberts gave the performance that is arguably her career-defining. Playing the real-life Erin Brockovich, a single mother who fights a powerful corporation for polluting the water in Hinckley, California, Roberts transformed into a fierce, relentless advocate for justice.
Her portrayal was not only heartwarming, but incredibly empowering, showing the strength of a working-class woman determined to make a change.
Roberts’ role won an Oscar, her first win, and she also won domestic awards from BAFTA, the Golden Globes, and the Screen Actors Guild.
A standout moment is when Brockovich, pleading with her employer not to take away her first honor, says, “For the first time in my life, I have people respecting me. Please, don’t ask me to leave it.
2. Vivian Ward – Pretty Woman (1990)
In Pretty Woman, Roberts plays Vivian Ward, a down-on-her-luck sex worker hired by wealthy businessman Edward Lewis, played by Richard Gere. The role made Roberts a household name. Filled with heart and humor, her portrayal of Vivian enthralled audiences around the world.
One of the film’s most famous scenes shows Vivian returning to a boutique after being humiliated, and delivering the now-iconic line to a dismissive saleswoman: “Big mistake! Big! Huge!” This role showcased Roberts’ talent for comedy-drama.
Reflecting on the role, Roberts once said, “I chased that role like a dog… I just loved that character. My reaction to it was a balance of intrigue and fear.” and cemented her status as Hollywood’s America’s Sweetheart.
3. Tess Ocean – Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
In Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven, Roberts brought her timeless attraction to Tess Ocean, the ex-wife of George Clooney’s Danny Ocean.
Although his screen time in this heist group was limited, Roberts maintained his place alongside Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. His sharp wit and on-screen chemistry with Clooney’s character added a layer of sophistication to the story.
Ocean’s Twelve took this concept further, with Tess posing as Julia Roberts as part of a plan to help steal a priceless artifact. In one memorable scene, Don Cheadle’s character, Basher Tarr, is advising Tess how to adopt a Southern accent in order to play Julia Roberts.
4. Anna – Closer (2004)
In Mike Nichols’s Closer, Roberts played Anna, a photographer entangled in a web of complex and toxic relationships. Sharing the screen with Clive Owen, Natalie Portman and Jude Law, Roberts explored a deeper, more complex role.
Her character’s emotionally charged scenes, particularly her confrontations with her husband Larry (Clive Owen), demonstrated her depth as an actress willing to confront uncomfortable subjects.
A notable scene in Closer is the brutal argument between Anna and Larry, where Larry interrogates her about her relationship with Dan (Jude Law). Roberts’ intensity shines through as she confronts her character’s flaws and contradictions, creating a raw and unfiltered exchange that is as powerful as it is unsettling.
5. Anna Scott – Notting Hill (1999)
In Notting Hill, Roberts plays Anna Scott, an A-list film star who stumbles into the life of a humble bookshop owner, played by Hugh Grant. Many fans saw the character of Anna as a fictionalized version of Roberts, with the film offering a glimpse of the ups and downs of fame.
One of the film’s most famous lines, “I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy and asking him to love me”, became instantly iconic and remains one of the most memorable moments of her career. The film’s mix of romance and self-aware humor, along with Roberts’ sensitive portrayal, helped make Notting Hill a beloved classic.
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