Julia Roberts’ Relationships: Inside Her Whirlwind Romances, Broken Engagements and True Love

While Julia Roberts is known for the romantic leads she’s portrayed on screen, her love life over the years has been just as juicy when the cameras weren’t rolling. From trysts to engagements to long-lasting love affairs, read all about Julia Roberts’ dating history and her most high-profile relationships.

Julia Roberts and Liam Neeson (1987—1988)

Julia Roberts met Liam Neeson, known for films like Schindler’s List (1993), Taken (2008), The Commuter (2018) and more, while filming the 1988 movie Satisfaction. Though their relationship didn’t stand the test of time, many remember the duo thanks to the large age gap between the two, with Neeson being 16 years older than Roberts during their romance. Roberts was 19 and Neeson was 35 when they met.

Julia Roberts and Dylan McDermott (1988—1990)

In 1989’s Steel Magnolias, Dylan McDermott portrayed the husband of Julia Roberts’ character—and the duo almost made it that far in real life! The couple was said to be engaged, but split before they could make it official.

Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland (1990—1991)

While filming Flatliners (1990), Julia met Kiefer Sutherland, and so began a whirlwind romance between the two. However, just days before they were set to marry, the wedding was called off. Though rumors flew regarding Kiefer’s infidelity and Julia leaving her almost-hubby at the altar, the actress opened up about their split soon after.

“It was civil. I was being very civil,” Roberts told Entertainment Weekly back in 1991. “I mean, I wasn’t pissed off that we weren’t going to get married. I wasn’t angry that I had come to these decisions. This is something that I think should be celebrated, that you’ve realized that, oops! It’s not the end of the world that I don’t want to marry you. It’s not like I’m saying, ‘You’re dirt, I don’t want to marry you.’ I’m just saying that this isn’t right for either one of us.”

Julia Roberts and Jason Patric (1991—1992)

Right around the time that Julia and Kiefer were supposed to tie the knot, the actress was spotted with Jason Patric having lunch and shortly after that, the duo took a trip to Ireland together. Though their relationship certainly caused a stir in the media, largely thanks to Patric’s friendship with her former fiancé and the short period of time between the two relationships, they split not long after getting together.

Julia Roberts and Lyle Lovett (1992—1995)

Julia Roberts fell for musician Lyle Lovett when they both appeared in The Player (1992), and it didn’t take long for the couple to make things official and tie the knot. “Meeting her is unlike anything that had happened to me before,” Lovett told The Los Angeles Times in 1993. “She’s so wonderful. It was one of those immediate things that you hear about.” However, in 1995, the duo went their separate ways.

Julia Roberts and Matthew Perry (1995)

Julia Roberts clicked with Matthew Perry when she appeared on Friends, but as Perry wrote in his memoir, he broke up with her, worried for the day that she would end things with him. In 2023, Roberts commented on the actor’s tragic passing, telling Entertainment Tonight, “The sudden passing of anybody so young is heartbreaking.” She continued, “I think that, you know, it just helps all of us just appreciate what we have and to keep going in a positive way as best we can.”

Julia Roberts and Benjamin Bratt (1997—2001)

Julia had a long-lasting relationship with actor Benjamin Bratt, known for his role in Miss Congeniality. In 2001, however, they called it quits.

Julia Roberts and Danny Moder (2000—present)

Julia met cinematographer Danny Moder in 2000, and since then, the couple has been going strong. In the early days of their relationship, however, their partnership was plagued by scandal. When they first met, Moder was still married to his then-wife, Vera Steimberg. Within a few months, however, they split. Allegedly, after Julia and Danny had gotten together, Vera was preventing her and Danny’s divorce and when the actress was spotted wearing a t-shirt that read “A Low Vera,” most assumed it was a dig at Danny’s ex. Though she’s never explicitly commented on the shirt’s true meaning, she did tell Oprah in 2003, “I stand by my T-shirt.”

Today, Julia and Danny continue building their beautiful life together, proving that sometimes the greatest love stories are worth the wait. After navigating heartbreak and near-misses, Julia found her perfect match—a reminder that true love really does exist, both on screen and off.