At a Glance
- Julia Roberts commanded a full-room standing ovation while presenting at the 2026 Golden Globes
- The Oscar winner lost Best Actress to Jessie Buckley, who publicly called Roberts “a hero to us all”
- Roberts attended with husband Danny Moder, her partner of over 20 years
- Why it matters: The moment underscored Roberts’ enduring star power even without a trophy
Julia Roberts may have left the 2026 Golden Globes without a new statuette, but she exited the Beverly Hilton buoyed by one of the night’s most rapturous receptions.
Roberts, 58, took the stage Sunday, Jan. 11, to present the award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. As the lights hit her, much of the star-studded audience rose in unison for an extended ovation.
“Thank you,” Roberts said, scanning the room. She then playfully urged the remaining seated guests to stand. “Yup. Everybody! Let’s go! In the back! Come on!”
She singled out fellow actor Emma Stone, joking, “She’s like what the hell is going on right now?”
Of the tribute, Roberts beamed, “I’m gonna be impossible for at least a week. I appreciate that.”
She reflected on the moment, declaring, “What a great night. What a beautiful night to be an artist. This is 2026. We’re going straight to the top on this.”
A-List Applause and a Coveted Prize
Roberts ultimately handed the Golden Globe to Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another.
Minutes later, her frequent collaborator and longtime friend George Clooney took the same stage to present the final award-Best Motion Picture – Drama. Presenter Don Cheadle ribbed Clooney for receiving a more modest reception than Roberts.
Earlier in the evening, Roberts had been nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture for her performance in After the Hunt. The prize went to Jessie Buckley for Hamnet.
During her acceptance speech, Buckley gushed over her category competitors, telling Roberts, “Oh my God, the incredible women I am honored to stand beside in this category. I mean, Julia Roberts-you are like a hero to us all.”
Family Support on a Glamorous Night
Roberts arrived at the Beverly Hilton on the arm of her husband, cinematographer Danny Moder. She walked the red carpet solo, wearing a plunging black gown accented by a dramatic red necklace. Moder joined her inside the ceremony, where the couple was photographed seated together.
The pair have been married for more than two decades.
A Golden Globe Legacy
Roberts’ three previous Golden Globe wins:
- 1990 – Best Actress, Pretty Woman
- 2000 – Best Actress, Erin Brockovich
- 1989 – Best Supporting Actress, Steel Magnolias
The 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards aired live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ from the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Key Takeaways
- Roberts’ magnetic stage presence eclipsed the night’s competitive results
- Fellow nominee Buckley publicly praised her as a personal “hero”
- The actress now has eight Globe nominations and four wins across nearly four decades
