Julia Roberts Unrecognizable on Set of Emotional Family Drama “August: Osage County”
In a dramatic transformation for her role in the film August: Osage County, Julia Roberts left behind her iconic Pretty Woman glamor, stepping into the shoes of a troubled daughter in a deeply emotional story.
While filming scenes alongside Ewan McGregor in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the 44-year-old actress looked worlds away from her usual red carpet appearance. Makeup-free and dressed in loose, everyday clothes, Roberts was almost unrecognizable as she embraced the gritty, heartfelt role of Barbara Weston — a woman dealing with family turmoil after the disappearance of her alcoholic father.
Roberts wore layered neutral-toned tops and baggy blue jeans, with her long brown hair styled simply. The scene called for raw emotion: walking with McGregor’s character, Bill Fordham, to identify a body at a dock. As the moment unfolded on screen, Roberts broke down in tears, clinging to McGregor in a moving performance.
Despite the intensity of the scene, the mood lightened between takes. Roberts was seen laughing and chatting with co-star Julianne Nicholson, who seemed to point out something funny to the group, reminding everyone of the camaraderie behind the camera.
Nicholson, known for Boardwalk Empire, also adopted a toned-down look for her role, sporting casual trousers and a ponytail.
August: Osage County features a star-studded cast including Meryl Streep as Violet Weston, Benedict Cumberbatch as “Little Charles Aiken,” and Abigail Breslin as Jean Fordham. The film is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Tracy Letts and explores the complex relationships within a deeply dysfunctional family.
Originally, other big names like Renée Zellweger and Andrea Riseborough were considered for roles, with Juliette Lewis ultimately joining the cast as Karen Weston after scheduling changes.
Though Roberts is a real-life mom of three with husband Daniel Moder, she dives fully into her character’s emotional world in this intense family drama. The transformation shows her range as an actress — from America’s sweetheart to a woman on the edge.
