Hollywood royalty Julia Roberts to be the first recipient of prestigious Icon Award

Julia Roberts will be the first recipient of the Academy Museum’s Icon Award ahead of her return to romcoms this October

Julia Roberts will be the first woman honored with this award
(Image credit: Laurent Koffel/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Julia Roberts is an iconic actress who has played some truly iconic roles, so her latest accolade just makes sense.

The Pretty Woman actress will be the first ever recipient of the Academy Museum’s Icon Award.

Julia, who has starred in timeless classics like My Best Friend’s Wedding, Steel Magnolias and Erin Brockovich has already won practically every award worth having in the industry, including an Academy Award, three Golden Globes and a SAG Award.

Julia Roberts will be presented the Icon Award ahead of her return to romcoms in October

(Image credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Despite sweeping the boards for her work in some of the best romantic comedies, Julia recently revealed why she took a romcom break – and teased that her return to the genre (along with George Clooney, no less) might actually be terrible.

Let’s hope her acceptance speech at the Academy Museum gala is a bit more triumphant.  

Best known for her work in movies, Julia is also no stranger to the smaller screen, having picked up four Emmy nominations over the years and most recently starring in the provocative series Gaslit, which explores the roles of people involved in Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal.

Julia joins three previously announced honorees at the gala - Miky Lee, who will receive the Pillar Award, Tilda Swinton, who will receive the Visionary Award, and Steve McQueen, who will receive the Vantage Award.

Last year, at the inaugural Academy Museum gala, Sophia Loren received the Visionary Award, with Tom Hanks and Annette Benning receiving the Pillar Awards.

Julia’s icon award makes her the first ever recipient, something Academy President Jacqueline Stewart has celebrated with her statement.

Jacqueline said, “Over the course of her career, Julia has embodied iconic characters and memorable roles. We are thrilled to continue honoring her excellence in the industry and contribution to the arts.”

Julia Roberts has recently appeared in STARZ TV series Gaslit

(Image credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for STARZ)

The gala will take place on October 15. The glamorous event, sponsored by Rolex, will be co-chaired by Halle Berry, Jason Bloom, Lupita Nyong’o and Ryan Murphy.

Based on Julia’s recent red carpet moments, including wearing an incredible 100-carat rare yellow diamond, expect some seriously iconic fashion.

Jack Slater
Freelance writer

Jack Slater is not the Last Action Hero, but that's what comes up first when you Google him. Preferring a much more sedentary life, Jack gets his thrills by covering news, entertainment, celebrity, film and culture for woman&home, and other digital publications.


Having written for various print and online publications—ranging from national syndicates to niche magazines—Jack has written about nearly everything there is to write about, covering LGBTQ+ news, celebrity features, TV and film scoops, reviewing the latest theatre shows lighting up London’s West End and the most pressing of SEO based stories.