One of the few bankable female stars of the 1990s, actress Julia Roberts remained an iconic figure whose assured, winsome performances underscored her undeniable public appeal. Following a breakthrough role in “Mystic Pizza” (1988), Roberts earned critical acclaim and award recognition for her portrayal of the ill-fated Shelby in “Steel Magnolias” (1989). But it was her performance as a hooker with a heart of gold opposite Richard Gere in “Pretty Woman” (1990) that propelled Roberts into the upper tier of Hollywood actresses. Roberts quickly became one of the highest paid stars – male or female – in the world, eventually raking in $25 million for a film. Equally in the limelight for a torrent of high-profile and often rocky romances, Roberts managed to maintain an output of projects that consistently topped the box office. While sometimes accused of lacking the chops to be a serious actress, she erased all doubts with her Oscar-winning performance in “Erin Brockovich” (2001), as well as other acclaimed roles in “Closer” (2004) and “Charlie Wilson’s War” (2007), all of which underscored Roberts’ unique ability to be both a huge box office draw and an accomplished performer.