Celebrating her 57th birthday today, Julia Roberts is one the great (and I say, last true) movie stars! She won for (and is excellent in) 2000’s Erin Brockovich, with one subsequent nomination for 2013’s August: Osage County. She also deserved it for her first two consecutive nominations, for 1989’s Steel Magnolias and 1990’s Pretty Woman. She is amazing in both!

This article is part of a special year-long series of anecdotes, reflections and thoughts about the Academy Awards.