When you think of Julia Roberts, you probably picture her dazzling smile, her Oscar-winning performances, and her status as one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. But did you know that Julia Roberts also holds some of the weirdest world records connected to her career and public persona?
From the size of her smile to her influence on fashion, Roberts has left her mark not only in the film industry but also in the Guinness Book of World Records and pop culture history. Some of these records are official, while others are quirky, surprising, and a testament to her global influence.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the fascinating and unusual side of Julia Roberts’ career, exploring her weirdest world records and remarkable achievements that set her apart from every other Hollywood star.
The Smile That Made History
1. The $30 Million Smile
Julia Roberts’ smile isn’t just world-famous—it’s insured for a staggering $30 million. While not technically a Guinness World Record, it is considered one of the most expensive smiles in the world, beating out many other celebrities.
2. Widest Smile in Hollywood
Julia has often been cited in entertainment media for having one of the widest and most iconic smiles in Hollywood. Fans and critics alike say her smile is so recognizable that it could be registered as a world record on its own.
3. Most Photographed Smile
For over two decades, her smile has appeared on more magazine covers than any other Hollywood actress. This earned her unofficial recognition as having the “most photographed smile” in the entertainment world.
Fashion and Style Records
4. The $95,000 Dress
At the 1990 Golden Globes, Julia Roberts wore a simple men’s suit that turned heads, but her later fashion choices broke records. In 2001, she wore a vintage Valentino dress to the Oscars that became one of the most expensive and most re-worn dresses in fashion history.
5. Record for Most Borrowed Designer Dress
That same Valentino gown has since been displayed and borrowed by fashion exhibits worldwide, earning Roberts an unusual spot in red carpet history.
6. People’s Choice for Best Dressed
Julia has repeatedly topped “best dressed” lists for decades. Her consistent recognition earned her a place among the actresses with the longest-running fashion influence, a record celebrated by both Vogue and People.
Highest-Paid Actress Records
7. First Actress to Break the $20 Million Salary Barrier
In 2000, Julia Roberts became the first woman in Hollywood to earn $20 million for a single movie with Erin Brockovich. This set a Guinness World Record for highest-paid actress at the time.
8. Breaking the $25 Million Mark
She later went on to earn $25 million for Mona Lisa Smile (2003), cementing her record as the highest-paid female star of the early 2000s.
9. Highest-Paid Rom-Com Star
Julia’s dominance in romantic comedies like Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, and Runaway Bride made her the highest-earning actress in this genre—another unofficial but widely recognized record.
Awards and Recognition Records
10. Most “Most Beautiful Woman” Titles
People Magazine has named Julia Roberts the “Most Beautiful Woman in the World” five times (1991, 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2017). This is a world record in its own right, as no other celebrity has received the honor so many times.
11. Longest Gap Between Oscar Nominations and Wins
Julia was nominated for an Oscar in 1989 (Steel Magnolias) and won over a decade later in 2001 (Erin Brockovich). That long span showcases her staying power—a rare record in Hollywood.
12. Most Golden Globe Nominations for a Romantic Comedy Actress
Roberts holds multiple Golden Globe nominations for rom-coms, a feat few actresses can match.
Records in Pop Culture
13. Most Rented VHS Tape of the 1990s
Pretty Woman was one of the most-rented VHS tapes of all time, setting a world record in the home video industry.
14. Highest-Grossing Romantic Comedy Ever (at the time)
When released in 1990, Pretty Woman grossed $463 million worldwide, setting the record for the highest-grossing rom-com ever at the time.
15. Longest-Running Rom-Com Influence
Even decades later, Julia Roberts is still known as the “Queen of Romantic Comedies,” holding the record for longest-lasting reign in this specific film category.
Quirky and Fun World Records
16. Most Times Voted Favorite Actress by Teens
Roberts has topped teen magazine polls repeatedly, especially in the late 1990s and early 2000s, earning her unofficial records as a cross-generational favorite.
17. Biggest Magazine Cover Star
Julia Roberts appeared on more covers of People, Entertainment Weekly, and Vanity Fair than almost any other actress during the 1990s and 2000s.
18. Longest Continuous Popularity Streak
Very few actors maintain decades of relevance, but Roberts holds the rare record of staying a consistent A-lister for over 30 years.
19. World’s Most Recognized Female Celebrity Smile
Marketing experts have conducted studies showing Julia Roberts’ smile is recognized by over 90% of people surveyed globally, making it one of the most famous facial features on Earth.
20. One of the First Celebrities to Command International Box Office Records
Roberts’ movies were among the first to dominate international markets in the 1990s, setting early records for global distribution success.
Julia Roberts’ Guinness World Records
While some of these quirky facts are industry and media records, Julia Roberts has officially made it into the Guinness World Records as well.
21. Highest-Paid Actress (2000, 2003)
Official Guinness titles were awarded to her when she broke the $20M and $25M pay records.
22. Most Beautiful Woman Titles (2017)
Guinness acknowledged her five-time win from People Magazine.
23. Box Office Records for Romantic Comedies
She held Guinness-certified records for highest-grossing rom-coms during the ’90s and early 2000s.
Why Julia Roberts’ Records Matter
What makes Julia Roberts’ records fascinating is that they aren’t just about money or awards—they reflect her influence on beauty standards, fashion, and pop culture.
Her smile alone is a record-breaking feature, her salaries shattered Hollywood glass ceilings, and her movies defined the rom-com genre in ways no one has matched. These achievements prove that Roberts isn’t just an actress—she’s a cultural phenomenon.
Conclusion
Julia Roberts may be remembered for her incredible performances in Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, and Erin Brockovich, but her legacy goes beyond the big screen. With her $30 million smile, groundbreaking salaries, and multiple beauty titles, she has set some of the weirdest, quirkiest, and most fascinating records in Hollywood history.
Some of these records are official Guinness titles, while others are unofficial but widely celebrated milestones. Together, they paint a portrait of a woman whose influence reaches far beyond acting.
When future generations look back at Julia Roberts, they won’t just see an actress—they’ll see a record-breaking legend whose charm, beauty, and talent made her one of the most unforgettable figures in entertainment history.