| October 28, 1967 |
| Julia Fiona Roberts is born to Betty and Walter Roberts in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the youngest of three children. |
| 1977 |
| Roberts' father, Walter Roberts, dies of lung cancer at age 47. He reportedly never smoked. |
| 1985 |
| Roberts moves to New York City to live with her sister, Lisa, and begins a career in modeling. |
| 1989 |
| With the help of her newfound mentor, Sally Field, Roberts joins a star-studded cast in "Steel Magnolias." She is nominated for a best supporting actress Academy Award. |
| 1991 |
| Roberts plays Tinkerbell in "Hook," Steven Spielberg's retelling of Peter Pan. |
| 1996 |
| Roberts tackles a dramatic role in "Mary Reilly," the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story told from the housemaid's viewpoint. |
| 1999 |
| Roberts stars in two successful romantic comedies, opposite Hugh Grant in "Notting Hill" and Richard Gere in "Runaway Bride." |
| 2001 |
| She teams up with Brad Pitt in "The Mexican." |
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| 1971 |
| Roberts' parents divorce. Her mother remarries and moves with her daughters to Smyrna, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb. Roberts' brother, Eric, stays in Atlanta with his father. |
| 1985 |
| Roberts graduates from Campbell High School in Smyrna at age 17. |
| 1988 |
| Roberts appears in her first significant on-screen part in the movie "Satisfaction." That same year, she also wins the hearts of filmgoers for her role in "Mystic Pizza." Before then, she had acted in bit parts in the TV film "Baja Oklahoma," the movie "Firehouse" and the TV show "Crime Story." |
| 1990 |
| Roberts lands her first title role as a charming prostitute in the box-office smash "Pretty Woman." She receives a best actress Academy Award nomination. |
| 1993 |
| Roberts marries singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett. They divorce less than two years later. |
| 1997 |
| Roberts returns to box-office form with the comedy hit "My Best Friend's Wedding." |
| 2000 |
| Roberts commands $20 million for her title role in "Erin Brockovich," making her the highest-paid female actor. |
| 2001 |
| Roberts wins a best actress Academy Award for "Erin Brockovich." |
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