Despite eventually becoming the highest paid actress in Hollywood, Julia Roberts started out wanting to become a vet! She went on to study journalism but when her brother, actor Eric Roberts began to make it in Hollywood, Julia decided to try acting.

Julia stars in the films Mystic Pizza and Mary Reilly throughout February on Sony Entertainment Television and her big break came in 1988 with her role as Daisy Arujo in the relationship comedy, Mystic Pizza. But her biggest success was in the movie Pretty Woman in 1990, where she starred as the tart with a heart opposite Richard Gere’s smooth talking businessman. The film grossed over £400m worldwide.

Julia won an Oscar in 1991 for her role in the drama Erin Brockovich but box office takings suggest that it’s her romantic comedy roles that audiences most enjoy. The films My Best Friend’s Wedding, Notting Hill, Runaway Bride, Valentine’s Day, Ocean’s Eleven and drama The Pelican Brief have collectively brought in box office receipts of over £1.8 billion worldwide.

As of 2011 Julia, now 44 years of age, was estimated to be worth £100m.

Julia's love life hasn't always been as successful as her career. She has had reported romantic relationships with famous men including actors Liam Neeson, Dylan McDermott, Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric, Matthew Perry, and Benjamin Bratt. She was briefly engaged to both Dylan McDermott and Keifer Sutherland. Her split from Sutherland proved particularly stressful for her.

In 1993 Julia surprised fans when she wed country singer Lyle Lovett. The couple divorced two years later. Roberts met her current husband, cameraman Daniel Moder, on the set of her film, The Mexican in 2000. Together they have three children, twins Hazel and Phinnaeus and Henry.