Julia Roberts On Family, Career, And What's Next

It’s been a while since Julia Roberts has had such a packed slate of projects, but the term “comeback” doesn’t sit well with her. The iconic actress, now 54, is more focused on what's ahead rather than looking back. Her career has always been intertwined with her family life, and she’s quick to point out that her time away from the big screen wasn’t a deliberate hiatus.

Why Julia Roberts Stepped Back from the Spotlight

“It wasn’t by design,” Julia explains, reflecting on her extended absence from major roles. “If I’d thought something was good enough, I would have done it. But I also had three kids in the last 18 years.” Raising a family has always been her top priority. With her husband, Danny Moder—a talented cinematographer—and their three children, Hazel and Finn (both 17) and Henry (14), Julia has been juggling the demands of parenting with her passion for acting.

A New Chapter in Julia’s Life

Now that her kids are older—her twins are set to graduate high school and head off to college in the fall—Julia feels more inclined to dive back into her career. She’s not just returning; she’s embracing new opportunities with excitement. Her recent projects include the Watergate drama Gaslit, which premiered on Starz, and two highly anticipated films: Ticket to Paradise, a comedy co-starring George Clooney, and Leave the World Behind, a thriller currently in production.

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Despite her willingness to take on new roles, Julia remains selective. “I have to fall in love with a script to leave my family for weeks or months,” she admits. In 2020, the family relocated from Malibu to San Francisco, settling into a charming Victorian home in the upscale Presidio Heights neighborhood. “Moving with three teenagers during a pandemic wasn’t easy,” Julia jokes, “but we’ve made it work, and everyone seems happy.”

Even with her busy schedule, Julia continues to prioritize her family. She wakes up early to prepare breakfast for everyone and ensures her kids get to school on time. When Danny, who was the director of photography for Sean Penn’s 2021 drama Flag Day, isn’t away working, the couple enjoys quality time together. “We’ll take a bike ride, grab coffee, or share a meal somewhere,” Julia shares. “They’re each other’s best friends,” an insider reveals. “Plus, she still thinks he’s the sexiest man she knows.”

Julia’s Pride in Her Children

Julia and Danny are thrilled to enter this next phase of life as their kids transition into young adulthood. “She’s incredibly proud of her children,” says the insider. “The twins are both heading to UC Berkeley—one is studying fine arts, and the other is focusing on computer and information sciences.” Julia has been actively involved in helping her children plan for their futures. “I wasn’t fortunate enough to have a college experience,” she reflects, having left her unstable home in Atlanta at 18 to pursue acting in Los Angeles. “I’m so excited for them. Watching their dreams unfold is truly fascinating.”

What’s Next for Julia Roberts?

As her soccer mom years come to an end, Julia has had more time to reflect on her own desires. “Acting is her profession, and she plans to continue for as long as she can,” the insider notes. While dramas have offered some of the best roles lately, Julia isn’t opposed to revisiting her roots in romantic comedies. “The good news is, yes—I love to laugh and be funny. Playing in that sandbox is pure joy,” Julia exclaims.

She’s especially optimistic about Ticket to Paradise, where she reunites with George Clooney as a divorced couple trying to stop their daughter from eloping in Bali. Scheduled for release next fall, the film could mark the start of more comedic ventures. However, finding well-written romantic comedies remains a challenge. “Julia is always searching for the right script,” the insider adds. “But don’t even mention Pretty Woman 2. That’s a hard no for her.”