Julia Roberts is one of the best-known and well-loved actresses in Hollywood, and in the late 80s and throughout the 90s she became one of the most popular actresses in the world, starring in some huge productions, and becoming one of the highest-paid actors of the time.

From big-budget productions like Hook, to more unusual films like Flatliners, we loved seeing Roberts on our screens and she is still acting regularly today.

Let’s take a look at some facts about Julia Roberts that you may not have known.

10. Her parents were also actors

Roberts was born in October 1967 in Smyrna, Georgia and her parents Betty Lou and Walter had both spent time as playwrights and actors, so she was born into a family that already had the arts in their blood.



9. She has a very mixed heritage

Roberts’ family have come from mixed backgrounds, with Roberts herself coming from English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, German and Swedish descent.
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8. She originally wanted to be a vet

When she was growing up, Roberts did not want to be an actress and was dreaming of becoming a veterinarian due to her love of animals, though she later changed this and went to study journalism instead.
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7. Her brother is an Oscar-nominated actor

Roberts’ brother, Eric Roberts, started to achieve some success in Hollywood as an actor, and this convinced her that this was the route she also wanted to go down.

Since then, Roberts has gone on to become by far the most successful of the siblings.
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6. She regularly tops polls for female beauty

Roberts has been selected in many polls of the most beautiful people in the world, being selected by People Magazine in their top 50 in six separate years, and is also often voted one of the top 100 movie stars of all time on other polls, too.
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5. She almost married Kiefer Sutherland

In the early 90s, Roberts was engaged to Kiefer Sutherland whom she had starred opposite in Flatliners. Roberts ended the relationship shortly before they were due to marry in 1991.
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4. She almost played Poison Ivy in Batman & Robin

In 1997, Roberts was seriously considered for the role of Poison Ivy in Batman & Robin, which went on to become one of the worst films of all time, so not getting the role was probably preferable this time!
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3. She has her makeup applied while lying on her back

When Roberts has her make-up applied for her films, she insists on lying on her back to have it applied as she says this gives her a more relaxed look on screen.
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2. An archaeological discovery was named after her in 2004

In 2004, a 9,000-year-old skeleton was discovered in Bulgaria and it had perfect teeth, leading to the archaeologists naming it Julia Roberts as they said that the woman would have had a perfect smile just like the actress.
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1. She broke the record for actress pay in Erin Brockovich

When Roberts starred as the title character in Erin Brockovich, she became the first actress ever to be paid $20 million for a film role, following on from Jim Carrey becoming the first actor to do so four years earlier in The Cable Guy.
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