Julia Roberts is 56: Photos of the Actress From Her Early Days to Now

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October 28, 2023 8:00AM EDT
Julia Roberts
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Julia Roberts has been a Hollywood darling since her start. Celebrate her 56th birthday with photos through the years right here.

Julia Roberts is truly one of America’s sweethearts, beloved for both her acting chops and all-around charm. The Georgia native, born October 28, 1967, began working in the entertainment industry around 1987. Her breakout role was in 1990’s Pretty Woman and from there she went on to star in films like Hook, The Pelican Brief, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Stepmom, Erin Brockovich, and Eat Pray Love.

She’s been a fixture on red carpets, earning more than a few choice trophies over the years. Julia has spent so much of her life in the spotlight. See how she transformed from a young ingenue to the superstar with our photos here.

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Julia Roberts in 1991

Julia Roberts in 1991
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Julia Roberts cradled her Golden Globe Award in 1991, after winning Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for Pretty Woman. She contrasted her character’s sassy style, wearing a slick bob and pinstriped blaze for the awards show.

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts in Universal City in 1993

Julia Roberts in Universal City in 1993
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Julia Roberts is seen here arriving at a SAG event in 1993, wear she stunned in a forest green, velvet coat dress with satin trim on the sleeves, collar, and pockets. She kept her hair loose and long.

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts at the 1993 ‘Pelican Brief’ Press Conference

Julia Roberts at the 1993 ‘Pelican Brief’ Press Conference
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Julia Roberts smiles wide during a press conference for her 1993 film ‘The Pelican Brief’. The actress had ditched her sleek hair for giant, crunchy curls, and dressed in an oversized linen blazer.

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts & John Malkovich at a 1996 Press Conference

Julia Roberts & John Malkovich at a 1996 Press Conference
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Back in 1996, Julia Roberts gained critical acclaim for starring in ‘Mary Reilly’ with John Malkovich. At a press event for the film, she rocked bangs and… king of a bowl cut. It was cute for the time! 

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts & Pat Manocchia at the 1996 ‘Michael Collins’ Premiere

Julia Roberts & Pat Manocchia at the 1996 ‘Michael Collins’ Premiere
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Julia Roberts took her boyfriend at the time, trainer Pat Manocchia, as her date to the ‘Michael Collins’ premiere in 1996. She styled her now red hair with a deep side part — very Dana Scully.

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts & Benjamin Bratt at the 1999 Emmys

Julia Roberts & Benjamin Bratt at the 1999 Emmys
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Julia Roberts and then-boyfriend Benjamin Bratt hit the red carpet at the 1999 Emmy Awards together, looking gorgeous. She wore her signature curls in a cute updo, and opted for a simple LBD.

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts at the ‘Notting Hill’ Premiere in 1999

Julia Roberts at the ‘Notting Hill’ Premiere in 1999
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For the premire of her iconic romance ‘Notting Hill’, Julia Roberts went ultra glam in London. She put her hair in a sleek bun, leaving out pieces to frame her face. Like anyone in 1999, she opted for sequins and hot pink.

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts at the 2004 Oscars

Julia Roberts at the 2004 Oscars
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Julia Roberts is starting to look more like the style star we know now at the 2004 Oscars. She went with a champagne silk dress from Armani for the show, and accessorized with diamonds. Those flowing waves! 

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts at the 2007 BAFTAs

Julia Roberts at the 2007 BAFTAs
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Julia Roberts went for business casual at the 2007 BAFTA LA Cunard Britannia Awards. Rather than high glam, she donned a demure blazer and left her hair a little undone. 

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts & Javier Bardem at the 2010 San Sebastian Film Festival

Julia Roberts & Javier Bardem at the 2010 San Sebastian Film Festival
Javier Etxezarreta/EPA/Shutterstock

Julia Roberts looks divine in a navy sheer gown with batwing sleeves at the 2010 San Sebastian Film Festival. Javier Bardem on her arm is a pretty good accessory, too!

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts at the 2010 ‘Eat Pray Love’ Premiere

Julia Roberts at the 2010 ‘Eat Pray Love’ Premiere
Pier Paolo Cito/AP/Shutterstock

Julia Roberts stuns in a metallic snakeskin gown with wide sleeves for the 2010 premiere of her film, ‘Eat Pray Love’. She also debuted dark brown hair at the event — so pretty! 

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts at the 2016 Spike Guys Choice Awards

Julia Roberts at the 2016 Spike Guys Choice Awards
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Julia Roberts goes surprisingly demure for the 2016 Spike Guys Choice Awards show, where she accepted an award. She’s a blonde now, and clearly having more fun than ever.

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts at the 2017 amfAR Inspiration Gala

Julia Roberts at the 2017 amfAR Inspiration Gala
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Julia Roberts gets leggy in a Givenchy LBD with sheer puff sleeves at the 2017 amfAR Inspiration Gala. Her toned legs looked incredible in a pair of sky-high Stella Luna stilettos. 

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts promotes ‘Wonder’ in 2017

Julia Roberts promotes ‘Wonder’ in 2017
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Julia Roberts looks radiant in a portrait taken at the 2017 photocall for her inspirational film ‘Wonder’. Her signature blonde waves are the perfect complement to her fun astronaut shirt and black nail polish.

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts in a 2018 Portrait

Julia Roberts in a 2018 Portrait
Victoria Will/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Julia Roberts looks serene in this lovely photo, taken to promote her film ‘Ben is Back’. Her all-black outfit — a turtleneck and pants — fits the somber tone of the bleak film. 

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts Honors Denzel Washington in 2019

Julia Roberts Honors Denzel Washington in 2019
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Julia Roberts pays tribute to her friend at the AFI Honors Denzel Washington show in June 2019. She had cut her hair into a blonde, piecey lob, and shined in her glittery gown.

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts in Vietnam, 2019

Julia Roberts in Vietnam, 2019
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Julia Roberts looks thoughtful and dressed casually, donning her glasses, for a trip to Vietnam with former FLOTUS Michelle Obama. She’s listening to a student speak at Can Giuoc high school. 

March 25, 2020, 2:01PM
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Julia Roberts at ‘Gaslit’ premiere

Julia Roberts at ‘Gaslit’ premiere
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Julia Roberts looked fabulous at the NYC premiere of ‘Gaslit’ in NYC on April 18 when she wore a Gucci Love Parade look featuring these high-waisted plaid gray shorts with a gray vest, a white button-down shirt, an oversized gray blazer & a pair of black pointed-toe pumps.

April 19, 2022, 1:38PM
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Julie Roberts at the 2022 Academy Museum Gala

Julie Roberts at the 2022 Academy Museum Gala
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Julia Roberts was a vision in black and white Thom Browne during the Second Annual Academy Museum Gala on Oct. 15, 2022. She teamed a long skirt with a corset over a white shirt and draped a dark jacket over her shoulders.

October 25, 2022, 1:59PM
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Julie Roberts at Cannes 2022

Julie Roberts at Cannes 2022
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Julia Roberts suited up for the 75th Cannes Film Festival in France on May 19, 2022. She wore a tuxedo-inspired dress with diamonds and curls for the festival’s premiere of Armageddon Time.

October 25, 2022, 1:59PM
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Julia Roberts at a Chopard event

Julia Roberts at a Chopard event
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Julia Roberts debuted new front bangs & a hair makeover at a Chopard Watches and Wonders 2023 event on March 28. 

March 28, 2023, 1:26PM
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Julie Roberts at the 2022 Albie Awards

Julie Roberts at the 2022 Albie Awards
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutte

Julia Roberts was pure elegance at the Clooney Foundation for Justice Albie Awards on Sep. 29., 2022. She wore a pink and orange striped blouse with a jacket featuring matching fabric across the front. Flowy black slacks and simple heels completed the look.

October 25, 2022, 1:59PM
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Julie Roberts at the London Premiere of ‘Ticket To Paradise’

Julie Roberts at the London Premiere of ‘Ticket To Paradise’
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Julia Roberts was so chic during the London premiere of ‘Ticket To Paradise’ on Sep.7, 2022. She wore a sketch covered maxi dress with a cropped jacket and looked divine.

October 25, 2022, 1:59PM
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Julie Roberts at the LA Premiere of ‘Ticket To Paradise’

Julie Roberts at the LA Premiere of ‘Ticket To Paradise’
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Julia Roberts was a vision in a voluminous pink Greta Constantine dress during the LA premiere of ‘Ticket To Paradise’ on Oct. 18, 2022. She added Chopard jewelry and beamed.

October 25, 2022, 1:59PM