Julia Roberts, the beloved actress known for her roles in rom-coms like “Pretty Woman” and “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” recently made a shocking discovery during a 2023 interview. It was revealed that her last name, Roberts, is not her real family name. The revelation came to light during an episode of PBS’s “Finding Your Roots” hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr.

While researching Julia’s family tree for the show, Gates Jr. discovered that her supposed great-great-grandfather, Willis Roberts, had passed away before her great-grandfather was born.

This led to questions about her paternity. To find answers, Gates Jr. conducted a DNA test that revealed her ancestor’s true father was a man named Henry McDonald Mitchell Jr. This meant that biologically, she is actually Julia Mitchell.

Despite this surprising news, Julia Roberts has no plans to change her last name. She stated that even if her DNA says otherwise, she still prefers to be known as Roberts. Julia comes from a family of actors, as her parents, Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts, were once actors and playwrights themselves.

Julia’s passion for acting was nurtured by her parents, which led her to pursue a career in the industry.

She moved to New York City after high school and signed with a modeling agency while taking acting classes. Her big break came in 1988 when she starred in the film “Satisfaction.”

Since then, Julia Roberts has become one of Hollywood’s most renowned actresses, with over 60 acting credits to her name. She has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for her performance in “Erin Brockovich.” Despite the shocking revelation about her last name, Julia Roberts remains an icon in the entertainment industry and will continue to be known by the name that made her famous.