Pop culture

15 Young Pictures of Julia Roberts That Prove Her Starpower

On the Pretty Woman star's 56th birthday, revisit these young pictures from the early days of Julia Roberts' iconic career.

Published 10.28.2022 by Natalie Frantz
young julia roberts in a grey suit holding a gold statuette
All photos via Getty Images.

Young photos of Julia Roberts from the most iconic moments in her career make it clear why she is a star. Known not only for Pretty Woman and Erin Brockovich, this talented Academy Award winner showed off some of the chicest suiting looks of the 1990s, the likes of which clearly inspired off-duty style popular amongst supermodels like Bella Hadid today. While Roberts may be home celebrating her 56th birthday with her husband and daughter, L'OFFICIEL brings the party here as we take a look at some of her best looks from the early days of her Hollywood career.

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Before launching her acting career, Roberts took modeling gigs when she first moved to NYC.
Before launching her acting career, Roberts took modeling gigs when she first moved to NYC.
One of Roberts's first film roles was the late '80s classic "Mystic Pizza."
One of Roberts's first film roles was the late '80s classic "Mystic Pizza."
The role of Shelby in "Steel Magnolias" won Roberts her first Academy Award in 1990.
The role of Shelby in "Steel Magnolias" won Roberts her first Academy Award in 1990.
In an oversized Armani suit that would help define her looks of the '90s, Roberts also won for "Steel Magnolias" at the 1990 Golden Globes.
In an oversized Armani suit that would help define her looks of the '90s, Roberts also won for "Steel Magnolias" at the 1990 Golden Globes.
The actress with her signature grin in her Academy Award-winning 1990 role in "Pretty Woman."
The actress with her signature grin in her Academy Award-winning 1990 role in "Pretty Woman."
As Anna Scott in "Notting Hill," Roberts uttered the famous line, "I'm just a girl standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."
As Anna Scott in "Notting Hill," Roberts uttered the famous line, "I'm just a girl standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."
Roberts' staple suiting look got an update with this tapered vest.
Roberts' staple suiting look got an update with this tapered vest.
At the 1991 Golden Globes, Roberts took home an award for thenow-classic rom-com "Pretty Woman."
At the 1991 Golden Globes, Roberts took home an award for thenow-classic rom-com "Pretty Woman."
The actress rocked a red skirt suit in the 1991 film "Dying Young."
The actress rocked a red skirt suit in the 1991 film "Dying Young."
Straying from suiting, Roberts was photographed in a more casual pair of overalls.
Straying from suiting, Roberts was photographed in a more casual pair of overalls.
For the premiere of "Conspiracy Theory" in 1993, Roberts opted for this sexy sheer midi.
For the premiere of "Conspiracy Theory" in 1993, Roberts opted for this sexy sheer midi.
Forever a 1990s queen, Roberts rocks a vest and lace-trimmed blouse with a pair of knee-high boots.
Forever a 1990s queen, Roberts rocks a vest and lace-trimmed blouse with a pair of knee-high boots.
Showing off the skills from her modeling days, Roberts' signature smize is just as powerful as her ear-to-ear grin.
Showing off the skills from her modeling days, Roberts' signature smize is just as powerful as her ear-to-ear grin.
Aside from classic suiting, Roberts's signature look included her boisterous natural curls.
Aside from classic suiting, Roberts's signature look included her boisterous natural curls.
Attending the Screen Actor Guild's Lifetime Achievement Award Salute in honor of Audrey Hepburn, Roberts looked luxe in this velvet piece in 1993.
Attending the Screen Actor Guild's Lifetime Achievement Award Salute in honor of Audrey Hepburn, Roberts looked luxe in this velvet piece in 1993.

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