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Julia Roberts Through the Years

The evolution of a screen and style icon.

by Daniela Jelaska

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Julia, Then and Now

The Georgia native has made People magazine’s Most Beautiful list for years. Her hair, makeup and clothes might change, but there’s one surefire accessory that no stylist can provide. "Julia’s smile is like a thousand-watt bulb," said Dermot Mulroney, her costar in 1997’s My Best Friend’s Wedding. "You can’t help but be drawn into it."
Photo by: Left, Steve Granitz Archive/WireImage; right, Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.

Southern Belle (1989)

Roberts, shown here at the Steel Magnolias premiere, earned her first Oscar nod for her role as Shelby Latcherie. The young starlet found her new prominence a shock to the system. "The first time I felt famous was when I went to the movies with my mom. Someone in the bathroom said, ‘Girl in stall No. 1, were you in Mystic Pizza?’ I paused and said, ‘Yeah, that was me,’ " she told People magazine.
Photo by: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage

Tart With a Heart (1990)

Pretty Woman gave the star her second Oscar nomination in two years. Roberts and Richard Gere proved a potent box-office pairing, and they reunited for Runaway Bride in 1999.
Photo by: Archive Photos / Camera Press / Retna Ltd.

With Keifer Sutherland (1991)

When Roberts unveiled her short, platinum cut, fans disapproved. Shown here at the Oscars with then beau Sutherland, Roberts said, "We’re together all the time. We work together; we’re in love with each other. That’s a life. You can’t ask for more.’‘ The pair, who met on the set of Flatliners, were engaged to be married until Roberts became a real-life runaway bride, calling off the nuptials just days before the wedding date.
Photo by: KMazur/WireImage

With Lyle Lovett (1993)

The world did a double-take when the stunning actress said "I do" to the quirky country crooner (shown here at the premiere of Short Cuts). After a short courtship, a barefoot Roberts wed Lovett in a ceremony in Marion, Indiana. Despite their declarations of love, the union lasted only 21 months.
Photo by:

In "Mary Reilly" (1996)

Roberts took a risk with this dark (figuratively and literally) Jekyll and Hyde story told from the point of view of the household maid. The film was a bomb and many reviewers thought she was miscast (what, no opportunity to flash that spectacular smile?). But that’s probably exactly what appealed to the star about this role.
Photo by: TriStar/courtesy Everett Collection

Pretty in Pink (1999)

At the London premiere of Notting Hill, the actress stepped out in a sequinned Vivienne Tam shift and sleek up-do. Roberts kept the dress and even wore it again (imagine that!) in 2006.
Photo by: Camera Press / Retna Ltd.

In "Erin Brockovich" (2000)

Animal print? Check. Big hair? Check. Big boobs? Double check. Roberts’ portrayal of the sassy legal assistant turned activist won her the Oscar at last and secured her spot as Hollywood’s highest-paid actress at the time ($20 million per role).
Photo by: Courtesy Everett Collection

Oscar Night (2001)

In her memorable Oscar acceptance speech for her role in Erin Brockovich, a giddy Roberts told music conductor Bill Conti, ""Sir, you’re doing a great job, but you’re so quick with that stick. So why don’t you sit, ‘cause I may never be here again."":http://aaspeechesdb.oscars.org/ics-wpd/exec/icswppro.dll?AC=qbe_query&TN=AAtrans&RF=WebReportPermaLink&MF=oscarsmsg.ini&NP=255&BU=http://aaspeechesdb.oscars.org/index.htm&QY=find+acceptorlink+%3d073-3 The actress smoothed out her vintage Valentino gown before concluding, " I love the world! I’m so happy!"
Photo by: Paul Smith/Featureflash

American Woman (2001)

Everyone’s favorite leading lady likes to keep it comfortable, even on the red carpet. At the America’s Sweetheart premiere, Roberts accessorized basic black with a seafoam-green necklace and whimsically patterned jacket.
Photo by: Retna Ltd USA

Tough Love (2001)

Roberts wore head-to-toe leather at the premiere of The Mexican. It was on the set of this film that she met cinematographer Danny Moder, whom she married in 2002; they now have three children. "The widening of my life, and my hips, is really just the true gift of my husband Danny, who I would be so lonely without," the star has said.
Photo by: Tammie Arroyo / Retna Ltd.

Street Chic (2008)

""My hair is a lovely shade of red-long and curly, the way you guys like it,"":http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20122596,00.html Roberts told fans after switching back to her signature shade. On her way to a Late Show With David Letterman appearance, she dolled up in denim with a cropped white jacket and knotted scarf.
Photo by: Dennis Van Tine / Retna Ltd.

Perfectly Poised (2008)

The Armani-clad star arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala on the arm of the designer himself. She wowed in this floor-length silver gown-perfect for her duties as co-chair of the evening.
Photo by: RD / Leon / Retna Digital

Award-Winning Style (2010)

"Julia has fabulous hair. It’s very responsive and wears any style well," hairstylist Danilo once said. The star’s tresses, now buttery blond, were worked into loose waves for the Golden Globes, and she rocked the red carpet in a knee-length vintage Yves Saint Laurent dress and Van Cleef & Arpels jewels.
Photo by: Camera Press/ Retna Ltd.

In "Eat Pray Love" (2010)

Roberts stars as the world-traveling divorcée in the movie adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling memoir. While filming in Italy, the star made no bones about the copious amount of carbs she consumed. ""When we were in Naples, we started shooting at 8 in the morning, and I think by 8:45 I’d eaten 8 or 10 pieces of pizza."":http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/07/29/cover-julia-roberts-eat-pray-love/ Eat Pray Love hits theaters August 13th. CHECK OUT SARAH JESSICA PARKER’S EVOLVING STYLE HERE.
Photo by: Francois Duhamel, (c) 2009 Columbia Tristar Marketing Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

First Published Fri, 2010-07-23 08:36

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