33 years after the romantic comedy “Pretty Woman” (1990) conquered the big screen and made Julia Roberts (55, “Ticket to Paradise”) a star overnight, ZDF is showing the cult film this Thursday (August 17) in the main evening program. What happened to the actors after the successful film?
Actually, another actress should take over the female lead in “Pretty Woman”. After her explosive appearance in “Harry and Sally” (1989), the makers first thought of Meg Ryan (61) as the prostitute Vivian Ward. But the role was too daring. And that’s how Julia Roberts got the job. The reward: The US actress celebrated her international breakthrough with “Pretty Woman”.
In the year the blockbuster was released, she was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in “Steel Magnolias” (1998). For “Pretty Woman” it was enough for the leading actress nomination. She has been a Golden Boy contender four times in her career, most recently in 2014 for Best Supporting Actress in ‘August in Osage County’ (2013).
For the title role in “Erin Brockovich” (2000) Roberts won the Best of Her Guild at the Oscars. Her fee for the biographical legal drama of 20 million dollars was already ready for film. And the year 2000 also had a crucial private event in store for the superstar: on the set of “The Mexican” (2001) she met cameraman Daniel Moder (54). He and Julia Roberts married in July 2002. In 2004 they became parents to twins Hazel and Phinnaeus. Their second son, Henry, followed three years later.
From “Pretty Woman” onwards, Julia Roberts was also celebrated for her beauty. In the years 1990, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2017, the artist, who was born in Atlanta, Georgia, was one of the “Most Beautiful People in the World” according to the US magazine “People”.
She was last seen in the cinema with George Clooney (62) in the romantic film comedy “Ticket to Paradise” (2022).
Vivian Ward’s best friend in the film is prostitute Kit De Luca. She was embodied by US actress Laura San Giacomo (60). She was also noticed in the cinema the year before “Pretty Woman”. For her role in the debut film by successful US director Steven Soderbergh (60), “Sex, Lügen und Video” (1998), the Hoboken, New Jersey-born artist received three awards for Best Supporting Actress: the New Generation Award from Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the Chicago Film Critics Association Award and the Independent Spirit Award. She was nominated for a Golden Globe, BAFTA Award and New York Film Critics Circle Award in the same category.
In 1990, Laura San Giacomo married fellow US actor David Cameron Dye (64, “Valley Girl”). The two had a son in 1996. Two years later they divorced. Giacomo has been married to US actor and producer Matt Adler (56, “Teen Wolf”) since 2000.
Professionally, after the mega-success “Pretty Woman” in the cinema, she continued with supporting roles. She was last seen in “Violet” (2021). She also had permanent roles in television series such as “Just Shoot Me – Redaktion durchgeknipst” (1997-2003), “Saving Grace” (2007-2010) or since 2016 in “Navy CIS”.
Richard Gere (73) was a big movie star before “Pretty Woman”. The US actor played his way into the hearts of viewers as “A man for certain hours” (Original: “American Gigolo”, 1980). He was no less celebrated for “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982). After “Pretty Woman” he was again in front of the camera for “The Bride Who Doesn’t Dare” (1999) with Julia Roberts. Garry Marshall (1934-2016), who was also responsible for cinema successes such as “Overboard – A goldfish falls into the water” (1987), “Frankie
Richard Gere has received numerous awards for his performances, including a Golden Globe for Best Actor in the comedy and musical category for “Chicago” (2002). However, an Oscar is missing from his collection. For this, he was named the “Sexiest Man Alive” by “People” magazine in 1993 and 1999.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the artist also caused a stir with his personal life. Gere has been a Buddhist since the early 1990s and is considered a friend of the Dalai Lama. From 1991 to 1995 he was married to top model Cindy Crawford (57), from 2000 to 2016 to actress Carey Lowell (62), with whom he had a son born in 2000. Two other children come from his third marriage in 2018 to the Spanish journalist Alejandra Silva (40); they were born in 2019 and 2020.
Another later “Pretty Woman” star was involved in Richard Gere’s debut film “The Lonely Job” (1975): the New York City-born US actor Hector Elizondo (86). As hotel manager Bernard “Barney” Thompson, he helps the clumsy young woman from the street work in the film with sophisticated table manners and elegant outfits.
For his leading role in the TV series “Chicago Hope – Endstation Hoffnung” (1994-2000) Hector Elizondo was recognized at several award ceremonies. Among other things, he received an Emmy Award for it. He was in front of the camera for “Grey’s Anatomy” from 2007-2013, for “Monk” from 2008-2009. In “Last Man Standing” (2011-2021) he wowed as “Outdoor Man” shopkeeper and Mike Baxter (Tim Allen , 70) Boss Edward “Ed” Alzate.
In addition to his series successes, Elizondo has also been repeatedly hired by “Pretty Woman” creator Garry Marshall for his cinema productions.
Hector Elizondo is married to actress Carolee Campbell (87). The two met while filming the soap opera The Doctors, in which he starred from 1968 to 1970. His son from a previous relationship died in 2017 at the age of 60.
Jason Alexander (63) stands out in “Pretty Woman” with his disrespectful and abusive behavior towards Vivian. When the film was released in theaters, the long-running and popular sitcom Seinfeld (1989-1998), in which he had one of the four lead roles, had just wrapped. This role brought him six awards.
Various roles in different productions followed. The Newark, New Jersey-born artist has been featured in the Young Sheldon series since 2017. In 2019, two “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” episodes were released with him.
Jason Alexander has been married to actress Daena E. Title (66) since the early 1980s and has two sons.
