Julia Roberts (born 1967) is an American actress, recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 2000 biographical legal drama film ‘Erin Brockovich’.

Roberts portrayed real-life environmental activist Erin Brockovich in her fight against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company of California. The movie reveals the culpability for the Hinkley groundwater contamination incident. Gaining critical acclaim, the film was a box-office success realizing gross proceeds of $256.3 USD million against a budget of $52 million USD

In addition to Roberts award for Best Actress, the film received four other nominations at the 73rd Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor.

Peter Travers, an American film critic, journalist, and television presenter, wrote in ’Rolling Stone’ magazine, “Roberts shows the emotional toll on Erin as she tries to stay responsible to her children and to a job that has provided her with a first taste of self-esteem”.

On her website, Brockovich stated the film was “probably 98% accurate”. Roberts plays the role of an investigator for a law office that eventually learns about residents in Hinkley, CA who develop significant medical issues as a result of the groundwater that is contaminated with carcinogenic hexavalent chromium.

A final court settlement awards $333 million to be distributed among the plaintiffs.

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