For me, it’s a person’s smile that draws me in. I adore Julia Roberts, Madhubala, and Madhuri Dixit for the same reason – their charismatic smiles. It’s not just Julia Roberts’ smile that appeals to me but her entire personality. Since today is her birthday, I am dedicating this piece to her.
Today marks the 57th birthday of Roberts, a Hollywood legend renowned for her enigmatic smile and extraordinary versatility. Over the course of her more than 35-year career, Roberts has captivated audiences worldwide, starring in a variety of films.
An icon of modern American cinema, Academy Award-winning actress and producer Julia Roberts is widely considered one of the greatest female stars to ever grace the silver screen. Since her 1987 feature film debut, Roberts has starred in nearly 50 films. Throughout her career, she has received three Golden Globes, a BAFTA Award, and an Oscar.
Filmography
The 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman, for which Roberts received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role, was the catalyst for her initial rise to fame. Her subsequent films, such as My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), Notting Hill (1999), and Runaway Bride (1999), helped establish her as a versatile actress with significant box office appeal. Roberts’ portrayal of the title character in the critically acclaimed biographical film Erin Brockovich (2000) earned her the 2001 Academy Award for Best Actress.
In addition to movies, the actress has starred in critically praised television series, including Friends, The Normal Heart, and Law & Order. She received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for these shows in 1999 and 2014. Steel Magnolias (1989), Mona Lisa Smile (2003), Charlie Wilson’s War (2007), Eat Pray Love (2010), August: Osage County (2013), and Wonder (2017) are among her other noteworthy film credits. Recent works include Money Monster (2016), Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017), and Ben Is Back (2018). Roberts is also well-known for her charitable contributions to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and UNICEF.
For her title role in Erin Brockovich, Roberts received four Academy Award nominations and won Best Actress at the 73rd Academy Awards. She also won a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. By 2019, she had received eight nominations and won Golden Globes for her roles in Pretty Woman and Steel Magnolias. Roberts was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards: one for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Television Movie for her work in The Normal Heart, and another for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her guest role on Law & Order.
Family Woman
The actress loves being a mom; she welcomed her eldest twins, 19-year-old Hazel Patricia and Phinnaeus Walter, along with her husband, cameraman Danny Moder, on November 28, 2004. Three years later, she gave birth to Henry Daniel, 17, on June 18, 2007. For Roberts, her family has always come first, even though she earned an Academy Award and dozens of acting credits during her silver screen career.
Work-Life Balance
Balancing work and motherhood has always been a challenge – something that Roberts could often tip in favor of her kids. “Well, I think that the luckiest aspect of my work life/family life is that the success of my work life came earlier,” she once famously said. “So by the time I had the success of my family life and had a husband and children who wanted to stay at home, I had been working for 18 years. And so I felt that I had the luxury. I didn’t have to pick one or the other.” She explained that she was glad she had the ability to “pause work life to nurture my home life,” further adding, “To be allowed the luxury of staying home and being with my family, I had a deep gratitude for that time.”
Her India Connection
Roberts embraced Hinduism in 2010, seeking “spiritual satisfaction.” Guru Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaj-ji), whose image inspired Roberts to convert, is revered by her.
When Roberts was filming Eat Pray Love in Pataudi in September 2009, Swami Daram Dev of Ashram Hari Mandir gave her children new names based on Hindu deities: Lakshmi for Hazel, Ganesh for Phinnaeus, and Krishna Balram for Henry.
Her Quirky Habit
At public gatherings, such as film festivals, talk shows, and her wedding to Lyle Lovett, Roberts prefers to go barefoot. This habit of hers was even incorporated into several of her film performances, such as Tinker Bell and Hook.
Hope to see more of Julia Roberts’ “million-dollar smile” on screen, which has become an iconic symbol of her infectious charm and radiant personality, captivating audiences and leaving an everlasting impression in Hollywood.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own)
Smita Singh is a freelance writer who has over 17 years of experience in the field of print media, publishing, and education. Having worked with newspapers like The Times of India (as a freelancer), National Mail, Dainik Bhaskar, and DB Post, she has also worked with Rupa& Co, a book publishing house, and edited over 30 books in all genres.
She has worked with magazines like Discover India and websites called HolidayIQ and Hikezee (now Go Road Trip). She has also written for Swagat (former in-flight magazine of Air India), Gatirang (magazine of Maruti Udyog), India Perspectives (magazine for Ministry of External Affairs), and Haute Wheels (magazine of Honda).
After turning freelance writer she wrote on art and architecture for India Art n Design. She also worked for Princeton Review as a full-time Admissions Editor and then IDP Education Private Limited as an Application Support Consultant. Smita has her own website called bookaholicanonymous.com which supports her love for books and reading!
You can reach her at: [email protected]