Julia Roberts To Receive Icon Award at 2022 Academy Museum Gala

Julia Roberts is being honoured by the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures at its second annual gala in October, the organisation said Friday. The Oscar-winner will be presented with the Icon Award in recognition of the significant global cultural impact of her career.

Roberts' film career launched in the late 1980s with films like Mystic Pizza and Steel Magnolias, and she is known for becoming romantic-comedy royalty over the decades.

Pretty Woman launched Roberts into superstardom in 1990, and she would later go on to appear in beloved films like Hook, My Best Friend's Wedding, Stepmom, Notting Hill, Runaway Bride, Ocean's Eleven, Mona Lisa Smile, Closer, Eat Pray Love and more. Roberts won her first Academy Award for 2000's Erin Brockovich.

Julia Roberts Icon Award

“Over the course of her expansive and renowned career, Julia has embodied iconic characters and memorable roles,” said Jacqueline Stewart, the newly instated Director and President of the Academy Museum, in a statement. “We are thrilled to be honouring her continued excellence in the industry and contribution to the arts.”

Roberts, made her television debut with Amazon’s Homecoming which also won her a nomination at the Golden Globes. The actor was recently seen in Gaslit alongside Sean Penn, Joel Edgerton.

Roberts will be next seen in Universal’s Ticket to Paradise opposite George Clooney — marking each of their long-awaited returns to the romantic comedy genre. The trailer sees Roberts and Clooney play a divorced couple who come back together for a Bali excursion in hopes of stopping their lovestruck daughter (played by Kaitlyn Dever) from marrying.

Director Steve McQueen, actor Tilda Swinton and Parasite producer Miky Lee are also receiving awards at the gala on October 15 in Los Angeles.

The Museum has also announced its Host Committee which includes Ariana DeBose, Awkwafina, Colman Domingo, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Eddie Redmayne, Eiza González, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Garner, Jonathan Majors, Judd Apatow & Leslie Mann, Leonardo DiCaprio, Letitia Wright, Regina Hall, Ruth Negga, and Selma Blair.

The gala serves as a fundraiser for the museum’s programming and educational initiatives. Last year’s inaugural event raised over $11 million. The museum also unveiled a starry Gala Host Committee which includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Duvall, Regina Hall, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ariana DeBose and many more.

Suggested Reading: Ticket To Paradise: Julia Roberts Makes Comeback In Romcom With George Clooney