Tonight, the 32nd annual SAG Actor Awards stream live on Netflix, with Hollywood’s brightest set to descend on Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall. From buzzy new couples to industry veterans, the red carpet is guaranteed to deliver spectacle.
But while we wait for this year's headline-making arrivals, we’re casting our minds back to 2001 – when one of the ’90s most beloved couples, Julia Roberts and Benjamin Bratt, stepped out together for what would become one of their final major appearances as a pair.
© WireImageAt the 7th Annual SAG Awards, Julia was at the peak of her powers. Nominated for her transformative role in Erin Brockovich, she arrived hand-in-hand with Benjamin, her partner of nearly four years. The pair began dating in 1997 after meeting at a dinner party, quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most low-key yet magnetic couples.
On the carpet, Julia opted for a sleek brown ensemble while Benjamin kept things classic in a dark suit accented with a pale pink tie. Effortless, coordinated and in sync, they radiated the kind of confidence that only comes from two stars secure in their own lanes.
© WireImageThat night, Julia took home Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role. Weeks later, she cemented the sweep with an Academy Award for the same role, famously wearing a vintage black-and-white Valentino gown.
Benjamin was by her side throughout the SAG ceremony and at the Vanity Fair after-party – a supportive presence during one of the most pivotal moments of her career.
© Ron Galella Collection via GettyYet just three months later, in June 2001, the couple announced their split. The breakup was described as amicable, with both citing busy schedules and time apart. In hindsight, that SAG appearance feels like a final chapter in a distinctly '90s love story.
Both have since built enduring personal lives. Julia married cinematographer Daniel Moder in 2002 after meeting him on the set of The Mexican. The couple share three children and have maintained a notably private family life away from Hollywood’s glare.
© Getty ImagesBenjamin went on to marry actress Talisa Soto in 2002; they share two children and have largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight as well.
As this year's SAG Awards unfold, new couples will spark headlines and social feeds will buzz. But few red carpet moments capture a cultural turning point quite like Julia and Benjamin in 2001 – poised, polished and on the brink of change.
