Sad Update on Julia Roberts Stirs Fans’ Emotions
Fans of Julia Roberts were taken aback after recent footage resurfaced showing the beloved Pretty Woman star looking drastically different while filming August: Osage County. At the age of 44, Roberts embraced a stripped-down, almost unrecognizable appearance for her emotionally intense role.
In the 2013 film, she played Barbara Weston—a woman entangled in the web of a dysfunctional family. Gone were her usual red carpet looks and polished charm. Instead, Roberts adopted a raw, makeup-free style paired with plain clothing, fully immersing herself in the emotionally charged role. The production took place in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
The movie featured a powerhouse cast, including Meryl Streep portraying Violet Weston and Benedict Cumberbatch as the troubled “Little Charles” Aiken. The casting process also saw a few notable changes—Juliette Lewis ended up playing Karen Weston, a role that was initially linked to Andrea Riseborough. Similarly, young actress Abigail Breslin landed the role of Jean Fordham, overtaking fellow contender Chloë Grace Moretz.
Roberts’ transformation in the film was a powerful reminder of her range and commitment to storytelling—trading in Hollywood glamor to portray the raw truth of a family in crisis.