Celebrating Julia Roberts

CAIRO – 28 October 2017: October 28 is the birthday of Julia Roberts, one of Hollywood’s most famous actresses. She is a joyful presence both on-screen and in real life. Egypt Today takes a look at her life and some of her top movies.

Julia Fiona Roberts came into this world in 1967 in Smyrna, Georgia, the youngest of three children. Her family was warm and creative, nurturing the budding talent in a young Roberts that would lead her to heights that she could have never dreamt of.
Originally, she had wanted to become a veterinarian, but decided to opt for acting, as she found science difficult.

With the release of 1988’s

“Mystic Pizza”

, Roberts began embarking on a road that would lead her to become one of the world’s biggest actresses. Here’s a look at some of her most critically acclaimed movies;

1- “Steel Magnolias” (1989)



Four women come together at a barbershop in Louisiana to discuss their lives and problems, growing closer together as friends as they welcome a new member into the flock. Roberts plays Shelby Eatenton Latcherie, a diabetic woman who fears she can’t have children due to her illness and struggles to keep her marriage afloat. Starring alongside big names, such as Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine and Daryl Hannah, Roberts received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

2- “Pretty Woman” (1990)



The film that turned Roberts into a superstar; starring alongside Richard Gere, she portrays a prostitute named Vivian Ward. Roberts is hired by Gere’s character, who is cutthroat yet lonely businessman Edward Lewis, to accompany him to social gatherings. She gets both a taste of the high life and budding love. Roberts was nominated for an Oscar for the Best Actress in a Leading Role.

3- “Notting Hill” (1999)



This romantic drama features an unlikely love story between a humble bookshop owner, William Thacker, played by Hugh Grant, and Robert’s character, Anna Scott, who just so happens to be the most famous living celebrity. The film follows their struggle to maintain a normal relationship despite Scott’s extraordinary fame.

4- “Erin Brockovich” (2000)



Here Robert’s brings to life Erin Brockovich-Ellis, a struggling single mother-turned-lawyer who manages to successfully lead America’s biggest lawsuit against a multi-billion-dollar corporation. The corporation is accused of polluting a small town and poisoning its residents. For her portrayal of Erin, Roberts would win her first Oscar Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

5- “Eat Pray Love” (2010)



“Eat Pray Love” is based upon a book that shares the same name. Roberts steps into the story of Liz Gilbert. Gilbert is a married woman who seems to have it all: a husband, a house and a stable career. However, she comes to realize how unhappy she still is. In a quest to find herself, Gilbert embarks on a year-long journey around the world, driven by a hunger for food, life and love.