Julia Roberts may have graced red carpets in couture and lit up movie screens in blockbusters like “Pretty Woman” and “Erin Brockovich,” but behind the glam is a woman whose favorite role has been one that rarely gets the spotlight—mom.
For over two decades, Julia has built a life far removed from Hollywood flashbulbs, centered entirely around her husband Danny Moder and their three kids—Hazel, Phinnaeus, and Henry.
A Quiet Shift from Fame to Family
When Hazel and Phinnaeus arrived in 2004, followed by Henry in 2007, something shifted in Julia. Fame, once a dominant force in her life, quietly took a step back. She had already achieved what many actors only dream of, and now, she was ready to give her full attention to her family.
By the time the twins were old enough to notice, they were surprised to learn their mom was even famous. Julia once joked that her kids asked if she was "more famous than Taylor Swift."
The actress intentionally kept her children shielded from the Hollywood lifestyle, so much so that Mike Nichols, who directed her in “Closer,” once shared how low-key their household was—no staff, just a real, lived-in family space.
Raising Grounded Kids
Instagram | entertainmenttonight | Cooking and homework were deliberate parts of Julia's intentionally normal mom routine.
Julia’s days often looked like any other mom’s: cooking meals, driving to soccer practice, helping with homework. Her focus on normalcy wasn’t just for comfort—it was deliberate. She and Danny emphasized practical life skills at home: learning how to do laundry, cook meals, and take care of responsibilities.
“These are important life skills,” she once said. “It’s not about giving them everything—it’s about preparing them.”
Her kids were rarely picky eaters, thanks to their upbringing. Phinnaeus (or “Finn”) had a thing for salmon and brown rice, and Julia proudly noted that she managed to get them eating greens long before she ever did herself.
Balancing Motherhood and Stardom
Though she scaled back her career, Julia didn’t completely disappear from the screen. She continued to act—but with purpose and boundaries. Projects like “Wonder” and “Ticket to Paradise” came at moments when the timing felt right. And if filming meant being away from the kids, she and Danny coordinated schedules to keep the separation as brief as possible.
They even worked together on the 2015 thriller “Secret in Their Eyes”—a decision she says gave her the emotional balance to take on a heavy role while still returning to her “safest place in the world” at the end of each day: home.
Holding Onto Traditions, Big and Small
Their family life included the kind of cozy traditions many will find familiar—holiday baking, mah-jongg games, and birthday parties. She always made time to sit down for breakfast and dinner with the kids, treating mealtimes as opportunities for real conversation.
“It’s how we begin and end our days together,” she said. “There’s something meaningful in that.”
Instagram | popculture | Hazel made her mom Julia visibly emotional by donating her long hair to make wigs for children with cancer.
When Julia’s daughter Hazel decided to cut and donate her long blonde hair to make wigs for kids with cancer, the proud mom was visibly moved. At just 13, Hazel showed the same quiet strength and thoughtfulness that Julia worked so hard to nurture.
A Marriage Built on Connection
Julia and Danny’s bond has been one of the quiet constants through it all. From their first meeting on the set of “The Mexican” in 2001 to celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary with a kiss and heartfelt hashtags, the two have remained deeply connected.
Julia once said their key to happiness was “lots of making out”—a playful but honest look at their affection after two decades together. Their longest time apart? Just seven weeks—something they promised not to repeat.
Looking Forward, Grounded in Love
As Hazel and Finn head off to college, and Henry grows into his teenage years, Julia reflects on the ride that’s been parenthood with equal parts awe and gratitude. Whether it’s back-to-school shopping (which she still loves) or helping her son decide whether a mullet haircut is a good idea, she’s all in.
Through all the fame and fortune, Julia Roberts built something rare in Hollywood: a warm, authentic family life that’s both relatable and quietly extraordinary.
