Julia Roberts, one of Hollywood’s most beloved and glamorous stars, shocked fans and critics when she appeared almost unrecognizable while filming powerful emotional scenes for the award-winning drama August: Osage County. Best known for her breakout role as Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman (1990), Roberts set aside her trademark red-carpet elegance to portray a raw, vulnerable woman at the center of Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning story about family dysfunction and buried secrets.
On location in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Roberts looked nothing like the polished movie star audiences had adored for decades. Instead, she appeared plain and weary, dressed in loose blue jeans, a simple cream top layered with a white button-down shirt, and without elaborate styling. Her long brunette hair, usually styled for glamour, was left unkempt, reflecting the chaos and grief her character Barbara Weston carried. This stripped-down look was an intentional choice, designed to emphasize Barbara’s emotional turmoil rather than Julia Roberts’ usual Hollywood sparkle. Playing Barbara—a woman desperately trying to hold her broken family together after the disappearance of her alcoholic father—demanded a performance rooted in honesty rather than beauty. One of the film’s most intense sequences paired Roberts with Ewan McGregor, who played her estranged husband Bill Fordham.
In this pivotal scene, the two walked hand in hand under the guidance of a sheriff as they prepared to face the heartbreaking task of identifying a body. As the story unfolded, Roberts collapsed into hysterical tears, her grief erupting in a performance so raw that it left those on set stunned. McGregor’s character embraced her, holding her through her complete emotional breakdown. This haunting moment reflected the depth of the film’s narrative, capturing the painful realities of family bonds, grief, and the wounds that never fully heal.
Yet behind the camera, Roberts’ natural warmth shined through. Between takes, she was spotted laughing and joking with her castmates, including Julianne Nicholson, who played her sister Ivy. Nicholson was often seen sharing lighthearted moments that helped balance the heavy atmosphere of the film’s subject matter. These candid glimpses highlighted Roberts’ ability to move seamlessly from gut-wrenching drama to humor, a testament to both her professionalism and her camaraderie with fellow actors. Part of Roberts’ transformation came from her wardrobe, carefully designed to emphasize realism over glamour. Instead of stylish gowns or tailored costumes, she wore layered casual outfits that reflected Barbara’s struggle to manage her collapsing family.
The simplicity of her look stripped away distractions, forcing audiences to focus on the character’s raw emotional journey. Julianne Nicholson also embodied the understated aesthetic, dressing in a blue shirt and brown flared trousers with her hair tied back in a simple ponytail. Together, the cast presented an authentic portrait of a Midwestern family caught in the throes of conflict and dysfunction. August: Osage County featured an extraordinary ensemble cast. Alongside Roberts and McGregor, Meryl Streep played Violet Weston, the sharp-tongued and volatile matriarch whose bitterness fueled the family’s turmoil. Streep’s performance was hailed as a tour de force, and her fiery dynamic with Roberts became one of the film’s defining elements.
Benedict Cumberbatch portrayed the troubled Little Charles Aiken, while Juliette Lewis stepped in as Karen Weston after Andrea Riseborough withdrew from the project due to scheduling conflicts. Abigail Breslin took on the role of Jean Fordham, Barbara’s teenage daughter, after beating out competition from rising star Chloë Grace Moretz. These casting decisions ensured the film had the depth and talent needed to bring Tracy Letts’ intense play to the screen.
When the film premiered in 2013, critics widely praised its performances. Julia Roberts’ portrayal of Barbara Weston earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, while Meryl Streep received a nomination for Best Actress. Reviewers applauded Roberts for shedding her glamorous image and embracing the difficult role of a woman unraveling under the weight of family tragedy. Her performance reminded audiences of her versatility, proving she could deliver in dark dramas as convincingly as in lighthearted romantic comedies. Off screen, Roberts is known as a devoted mother to her three children with husband Daniel Moder, a cinematographer.
Her maternal instincts influenced her portrayal of Barbara’s complicated relationship with her daughter Jean, played by Breslin. Many viewers felt Roberts’ real-life experiences as a mother helped her tap into the authenticity and depth required for the role. The production of August: Osage County was not without its own behind-the-scenes drama. Andrea Riseborough’s withdrawal and Abigail Breslin’s casting were just some of the last-minute changes that shaped the final film. Such shifts reflected the unpredictability of major Hollywood projects, where schedules and casting decisions often evolve until the cameras start rolling. Julia Roberts’ transformation in this film became a talking point across the entertainment world. Audiences, so accustomed to seeing her as a glamorous lead in romantic comedies, were stunned by her stripped-down, emotionally raw performance.
The choice not only reaffirmed her commitment to her craft but also solidified her reputation as one of the most fearless and versatile actresses of her generation. Her willingness to take risks, embrace vulnerability, and abandon vanity demonstrated her artistic range and dedication. More than a decade later, August: Osage County stands as a testament to Julia Roberts’ talent, resilience, and ability to reinvent herself. Her unrecognizable appearance on set may have shocked fans at the time, but it ultimately revealed the depth of her artistry and reinforced her enduring legacy as one of cinema’s most accomplished actresses.
