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Julia Roberts had been nominated for two Oscars before she finally won for her leading role in the legal drama Erin Brockovich. The actress starred in Steven Soderbergh’s intense yet witty drama about a feisty paralegal who takes it upon herself to sue a corporation for the Hinkley groundwater contamination on behalf of over 650 plaintiffs.
Roberts reportedly took more than the assigned 45-second speech for her victory and thanked a host of people for her win in the four-minute speech. However, she famously forgot to thank the real-life Erin Brockovich on stage. Brockovich, however, reportedly did not mind the oversight even as Roberts made up for it afterward.
Julia Roberts forgot to thank Erin Brockovich in her Oscar speech but made up for it backstage
Julia Roberts | Credits: YouTube/OscarsJulia Roberts made it big in her career with roles in the romantic comedy Pretty Woman and the drama Steel Magnolias, both of which got her an Oscar nomination. However, the big award would elude her for a decade as she went without a nomination for ten years before she finally won it for Steven Soderbergh’s Erin Brockovich.
Roberts played the eponymous real-life paralegal and activist who was responsible for suing Pacific Gas and Electric Company for their role in the Hinkley Groundwater contamination case and helped over 650 plaintiffs get their due after being poisoned. The actress’ role was lauded by critics and fans alike.
A still from Erin Brockovich | Credits: Universal Pictures/Columbia PicturesWhen she received her first Oscar, Roberts reportedly requested the orchestra to give her more time and delivered a four-minute speech thanking the many people responsible for her victory (via Oscars).
However, the actress reportedly forgot to thank Erin Brockovich herself and made up for the blunder backstage. She told E! News,
During my out-of-body experience…I didn’t acknowledge her shamefully, shamefully. With great humility, I acknowledge her profusely.
Roberts’ performance is still considered one of her best and the film was nominated for other awards, inducing Best Director. However, Steven Soderbergh won the same night for Traffic.
The real Erin Brockovich said that she did not mind the blunder from Julia Roberts
Erin Brockovich | Credits: ABC NewsFor the real Erin Brockovich, the prospect of getting a movie made about her life was reportedly overwhelming. She mentioned in an interview with Vulture that she did not believe that it would get made as she had been warned by the producers that it was a possibility. She also said that she was surprised by the casting choice of Julia Roberts.
However, when Roberts forgot about her during the Oscar speech, Brockovich reportedly did not mind as she felt that it was her moment. She said to Vulture,
A lot of people were like, ‘I can’t believe she didn’t mention you in her speech!’ I thought nothing of it. This wasn’t about me. It was Julia’s moment, it didn’t even phase me. And then the next day, I had four grown men at my front door holding a bouquet of flowers…There was a lovely note [from Julia] attached: ‘You know, I wouldn’t have been up there, had it not been for you.’
She also mentioned that she did not attend the ceremony as her child was sick that night and had to phone it in. But she reportedly caught the ceremony on TV.
Erin Brockovich is available to rent on Apple TV.
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