Julia Roberts has captivated audiences for over three decades with her legendary smile and undeniable talent. But with the passing years, a question on many fans‘ minds is – how old is Julia Roberts now?
As of September 2023, Julia Roberts is 55 years old. Her journey from a budding actress to one of the most acclaimed stars in Hollywood history is truly remarkable. Let‘s take a closer dive into her early life, meteoric rise to fame, personal relationships, and remarkable staying power over the years.
Early Life and Background
Julia Fiona Roberts entered the world on October 28, 1967 in Smyrna, Georgia. She was born to Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts, who were both involved in the arts and entertainment. Her father was an actor and playwright, while her mother was an actress as well.
Roberts comes from a diverse mix of ancestries including English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, German and Swedish. Religiously, she grew up with influences from both her father‘s Baptist faith and her mother‘s Catholicism, but was ultimately raised Catholic.
As a child, Roberts revered her older brother Eric, who inspired her to pursue acting from an early age. She would put on little shows with him for the neighborhood kids. Her home life, however, was tumultuous at times due to her parents‘ troubled marriage. They divorced when Julia was only 5.
Despite the instability, Julia Roberts shone as a student and was involved in chorus, drama, and student council. After graduating from high school, she headed to New York City to live with her sister Lisa and pursue her acting dreams.
Breakout Years
Roberts got her first big break in 1988‘s cult classic Mystic Pizza at just 21 years old. However, it was the blockbuster success of 1990‘s Pretty Woman opposite Richard Gere that catapulted the 23-year-old to international fame. Roberts won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the charming prostitute Vivian Ward.
Over the next decade, Roberts cemented her status as America‘s sweetheart and one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood. Some career highlights include:
Steel Magnolias (1989) – earned Roberts her first Oscar nomination at age 22.
Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) – Roberts plays a woman escaping her abusive husband.
The Pelican Brief (1993) – teamed up with Denzel Washington in this legal thriller based on a John Grisham novel.
My Best Friend‘s Wedding (1997) – hilarious rom-com that grossed over $300 million worldwide.
Notting Hill (1999) – portrayed a famous actress who falls for a humble bookstore owner played by Hugh Grant.
Erin Brockovich (2000) – Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of a legal assistant who takes on corporate pollution.
By 2000, at just 33 years old, Roberts became the first actress to ever command $20 million per film. For context, that would be over $33 million today adjusted for inflation!
Staying Power in Hollywood
Amazingly, Roberts has remained one of Hollywood‘s most sought after leading ladies well into her 50s. Some of her recent acclaimed films include:
Eat Pray Love (2010) – Roberts journeys of self-discovery based on Elizabeth Gilbert‘s memoir
August: Osage County (2013) – powerful family drama earned Roberts yet another Oscar nod
Wonder (2017) – played the devoted mother of a boy with facial differences
Ben Is Back (2018) – portrayed a mother whose son returns home from rehab for Christmas
Gaslit (2022) – took on the role of Watergate whistleblower Martha Mitchell
Roberts has expanded beyond acting in recent years as well, executive producing hit series like Homecoming (2018-2022) and Gaslit. She also made her first venture into television acting by starring in the Amazon Prime original Homecoming in 2018.
Julia Roberts may be in her 50s, but she continues to choose complex, challenging roles that highlight the depth of her talent. Age is just a number for this Hollywood icon.
Personal Life and Relationships
Roberts‘s romantic relationships have garnered significant media attention over the years as well. She called off her wedding to Kiefer Sutherland in 1991, just days before the planned ceremony. She later married singer Lyle Lovett in 1993, but they divorced two years later.
After a string of high-profile relationships, Roberts found lasting love with cameraman Daniel Moder. They connected on the set of The Mexican in 2000 while Moder was still married to Vera Steimberg. He later divorced and wed Roberts on July 4, 2002 at her ranch in Taos, New Mexico.
Roberts and Moder have now been happily married for over 20 years – an impressive feat for a Hollywood couple! They have three children together: twins Hazel Patricia and Phinnaeus "Finn" Walter (b. 2004) and son Henry Daniel (b. 2007).
The family splits their time between homes in New York City, Malibu, and New Mexico. Roberts prioritizes her husband and kids over her career. She once shared: “I don’t think of myself as any kind of great mom… but I feel like I’m such a better mom than I would have been if I had kids earlier.”
Julia Roberts Now in 2024
So to answer the question – how old is Julia Roberts now in 2024? The iconic actress is currently 55 years old and still going strong personally and professionally.
While she no longer appears in multiple films per year at the height of her career, Roberts remains highly selective and sought after for leading roles. She has expressed no plans to slow down or retire anytime soon.
Fans can look forward to seeing Roberts star opposite George Clooney in the upcoming romantic comedy Ticket to Paradise. She is also attached to the drama Gaslit Season 2 on Starz.
Off-screen, Roberts treasures her private life out of the limelight with husband Danny and their three kids. She splits time between coastal homes and continues to prioritize her family over her prolific career.
Julia Roberts may be in her mid-50s, but her star power has not diminished one bit. She is still instantly recognizable by her megawatt smile and continues to choose meaningful acting roles that showcase her versatility and talent.
This Hollywood icon has maintained her A-list status for over 30 years thanks to her charismatic charm and acclaimed performances. There is no doubt that Julia Roberts will continue lighting up both the big and small screen for years to come.
