- Julia Roberts became emotional on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert while discussing the 25th anniversary of her iconic film, Erin Brockovich.
- She paid a touching and tearful tribute to her late costar, Albert Finney, who passed away in 2019.
- Roberts shared a heartwarming and funny anecdote about Finney showing up to a cast screening of Animal House in a toga made from a bedsheet.
- She described the filming environment as exceptionally “easy” and supportive, which contributed to her fond memories of the production.
A Tearful Reflection on a Career-Defining Role
A quarter-century after she won an Oscar for her powerful portrayal of a real-life activist, Julia Roberts is looking back on Erin Brockovich with a full heart. During a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the actress, 58, was moved to tears while reminiscing about the 2000 biopic, particularly her time with the late, great Albert Finney.
“You’re determined to make me cry,” Roberts told Colbert as she grew emotional at the mention of Finney’s name. The celebrated British actor, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his supporting role as lawyer Ed Masry in the film, passed away in 2019 at the age of 82.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Albert Finney
For Roberts, memories of the film are inextricably linked to her beloved costar. “When I think about that movie, you know, I do think about Albert,” she shared. Despite the intense subject matter of the film, Roberts described the atmosphere on set as uniquely comfortable and nurturing.
“It was so easy, that movie,” she explained. “Everybody was so easy. There was just a flow. The days were great, and it was just a job that felt very kind to the inside of me.”
Behind-the-Scenes Camaraderie
Roberts painted a vivid picture of the cast and crew’s life during production, which took place in a small town where they were all “living at the Holiday Inn.” She recalled how director Steven Soderbergh would arrange movie nights at a local “sticky shoe theater” to entertain everyone on weekends.
The Toga Party of One
One of her most cherished memories came from a cast screening of the classic comedy Animal House. Roberts shared a laugh-out-loud story about Finney taking the film’s toga party theme to heart.
“Albert showed up in his bed sheet [fashioned like a toga] and he was like, ‘I thought it was a thing. I thought that we were all gonna do this,’” Roberts recounted with a smile. “And he looked great,” she added. “Albert just sat down with his popcorn and, there we were.”
The story perfectly captured the playful spirit and close bond that made the film such a special experience for her. The film itself immortalized the true story of Erin Brockovich, who successfully led a direct-action lawsuit against the Pacific Gas & Electric company in 1996, securing the largest settlement of its kind at the time. For Roberts, however, the lasting impact is just as much about the kindness and camaraderie she shared with friends like Albert Finney.