Julia Roberts Family Tree: The Story Behind Pretty Woman

Julia Fiona Roberts, born 28 October 1967 in Smyrna, Georgia, USA, is an American actress — 2001 Academy Award for Best Actress (Erin Brockovich); Pretty Woman (1990); My Best Friend's Wedding (1997); Notting Hill (1999); Ocean's Eleven (2001).

The Family's Roots: A Georgia Acting Family

The Roberts family is from Atlanta-Smyrna, Georgia.

Her Parents

Father: Walter Grady Roberts (1933–1977) — drama coach; ran an acting school with his wife; died of throat cancer when Julia was 9.

Mother: Betty Lou Bredemus (1934–2015) — drama coach; church secretary.

Her Siblings

Eric Roberts, born 18 April 1956 — elder brother; Oscar-nominated actor (Runaway Train 1985); father of actress Emma Roberts (b. 1991).

Lisa Roberts Gillan, born 1965 — elder sister; actress (Erin Brockovich).

Nancy Motes (1976–2014) — half-sister; died of drug overdose at age 37.

Her Niece

Emma Roberts, born 10 February 1991 — Eric's daughter; actress (Scream Queens; American Horror Story).

Her Husband: Daniel Moder

Daniel Moder, born 31 January 1969 — cinematographer (was Lyle Lovett's first husband's friend; met Julia on The Mexican 2000). Married Julia on 4 July 2002.

Their Children

Phinnaeus and Hazel Moder, born November 2004 — twin son and daughter.

Henry Daniel Moder, born June 2007 — son.

The Roberts Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Walter Grady Roberts (1933–1977) — drama coach; died of throat cancer when Julia was 9.

Mother: Betty Lou Bredemus (1934–2015) — drama coach.

Siblings: Eric Roberts (b. 18 April 1956) — actor; Lisa Roberts Gillan (b. 1965); Nancy Motes (1976–2014, drug overdose).

Niece: Emma Roberts (b. 10 February 1991) — actress.

Husband: Daniel Moder (b. 31 January 1969; m. 4 July 2002) — cinematographer.

Children: twins Phinnaeus and Hazel (b. November 2004); Henry Daniel (b. June 2007).

Julia Roberts:

  • Born 28 October 1967, Smyrna
  • Campbell High School (Smyrna); moved to NYC at 18
  • Films: Mystic Pizza (1988), Steel Magnolias (1989 — Oscar nomination), Pretty Woman (1990 — Oscar nomination), Sleeping with the Enemy (1991), Hook (1991), The Pelican Brief (1993), My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), Notting Hill (1999), Erin Brockovich (2000 — Oscar Best Actress), Ocean's Eleven (2001), Mona Lisa Smile (2003), Charlie Wilson's War (2007), Eat Pray Love (2010), August: Osage County (2013 — Oscar nomination), Wonder (2017), Homecoming (2018 Amazon TV), Leave the World Behind (2023)
  • Academy Awards: 1 win; 4 nominations
  • 3 Golden Globes
  • One of the highest-grossing female stars of all time

What the Roberts Family Story Teaches Us

A drama-coach father who died when Julia was 9. A drama-coach mother. An elder brother who is also an actor (and father of Emma Roberts). A half-sister who died of overdose at 37. A cinematographer husband. Twin children plus another.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Julia story carries the same lesson. Some families produce two generations of actors (Eric → Emma) plus Julia's own Oscar.

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