Men love her. Women want to be like her. And perhaps JULIA ROBERTS' 'Stepmom' co-star SUSAN SARANDON summed up her appeal best when she recently told Entertainment Weekly magazine, "She smiles and the sun comes out."

Released on Christmas Day 1999, 'Stepmom' is that rare film that dares to put two females in the lead. Roberts plays the title role -- a woman who must deal with her fiance's (played by ED HARRIS) children and his ex-wife (Sarandon), who's suffering from a life-threatening illness. In addition to co-starring in the picture, Roberts acted as one of 'Stepmom's' executive producers as well.

At the age of 31, the Georgia-born actress is a box office powerhouse. Collectively, her films have taken in more than $2 billion worldwide. Roberts' $17 million payday for the upcoming romantic comedy, 'Runaway Bride' (which re-teams her with 'Pretty Woman' co-star RICHARD GERE), makes her the highest paid female star in Hollywood history.

Blessed with beauty, brains and that incredible smile, Julia Roberts first came to the attention of audiences for her critically acclaimed role in 'Mystic Pizza.'  A year later, she was tapped for an Oscar® nomination as Best Supporting Actress in 'Steel Magnolias,' which boasted an all-star cast including SALLY FIELD, DOLLY PARTON, OLYMPIA DUKAKIS and SHIRLEY MACLAINE.

But it was Roberts' next film, 'Pretty Woman,' that sent her career into the show biz stratosphere. It was not only the top-grossing release of 1990 it earned the performer her second Academy Award® nomination, and sealed her position as one of the screen's most charismatic stars.

Among Roberts' other memorable movies and co-stars: 'Flatliners,' 'Sleeping With the Enemy,' 'Dying Young,' 'Hook' (with ROBIN WILLIAMS and DUSTIN HOFFMAN), 'The Pelican Brief' (opposite DENZEL WASHINGTON), 'SOmething to Talk About' (also starring DENNIS QUAID), 'Michael Collins' (with LIAM NEESON), WOODY ALLEN's 'Everyone Says I Love You,' and the blockbusters, 'Consipiracy Theory' (opposite MEL GIBSON) and the ever-popular 'My Best Friend's Wedding.'  She also won our hearts in 'Notting Hill,' co-starring HUGH GRANT. 

Look for Julia next in 'Erin Brockovich', as a research assistant that helps an attorney in a lawsuit against a large utility company for causing an outbreak of cancer and other illnesses in a small community.