You know, every so often Hollywood makes one of those films that’s just timeless, and Erin Brokovich is definitely one of them.
But there’s so much more to it than what we saw in the final movie—scenes and little-known facts that add so much to the story.
Julia Roberts absolutely nailed her role in Erin Brockovich. It’s honestly one of the best movies I’ve seen; no flashy special effects, just raw, incredible acting and a story that hits deep. It’s based on the true story of Erin Brockovich, a single mom who took on a huge corporation over water contamination, and Roberts brings her to life in a way that feels so real and inspiring.
Honestly, it’s a classic — something I’d much rather rewatch than most of the newer movies coming out these days.
And while Erin Brockovich is a masterpiece, it’s not without its quirky moments and behind-the-scenes fun! Here are a few funny facts, mistakes, and hidden truths you might not know about the film:
The real Erin Brockovich’s cameo
One of the best little surprises in Erin Brockovich is the waitress at the very beginning of the movie—and it’s not just any actress. It’s the real Erin Brockovich herself! Yup, you heard that right. The real Erin makes a cameo as a blonde waitress when Julia Roberts and her kids stop by a snack restaurant.
How cool is that? It was actually part of the movie’s contract that she’d have this special moment in the film, giving a nice nod to the woman whose story the movie is based on.
An out-of-body experience
When Erin Brockovich stepped onto the movie set for her cameo, it was like stepping into another world. Playing a waitress named Julia while Julia Roberts sat just a few feet away felt surreal. “It was like an out-of-body experience,” she later admitted. As someone used to fighting battles in courtrooms, not on camera, the idea of acting left her stomach in knots.
“I couldn’t wrap my head around it,” she told Fox. The excitement of being part of the film was undeniable, but so was the pressure.
Erin didn’t want to mess up, especially in front of a star like Roberts. “I don’t like to get ahead of myself, but I was nervous. Really nervous.”
Did you catch another hidden cameo?
While many fans know Erin Brockovich herself makes a cameo in the film, here’s a lesser-known twist: her real-life lawyer, Ed Masry, also appears.
In the same diner scene where Erin plays a waitress, the actual Ed Masry —portrayed in the movie by Albert Finney — can be spotted sitting in the background.
Erin Brockovich clevage
The real Erin Brockovich-Ellis once claimed that the film was 98-99% accurate.
However, while the movie does a great job telling Erin’s story, there are a few things they left out. For example, the real Erin Brockovich-Ellis has said that while her cleavage may have caught some attention, she never intentionally used her appearance to manipulate anyone, as the movie suggests.
Amidst the scrutiny of her appearance and language, the real Erin stayed focused on what truly mattered — the lives affected by toxic contamination.
“I heard a lot of comments about, you know, the boobs, the cleavage, the way I dress, the language, whatever. I didn’t have time for that. People were poisoned, and they did it and they know it. So yeah, fuck off. That was really my stance,” she told Vulture.
Truth about her breast inplants
The real Erin Brockovich has never shied away from sharing her struggles, from battling childhood dyslexia and coping with adult anorexia to confronting the self-doubt that led her to get breast implants during her second unhappy marriage.
Reflecting on that decision, she’s refreshingly honest and has zero regrets: ”I decided the best way to boost my confidence would be to get my chest lifted… and believe me, it worked.”
The mix up with Miss Pacific Coast
In the movie, Erin Brockovich is also said to have won the title of Miss Wichita, but in real life, she actually held the title of Miss Pacific Coast.
Erin herself pointed out this little mix-up, laughing about the detail while reflecting on her decision to leave the world of beauty pageants, which she found ”shallow.”
During the filming of Erin Brockovich, Julia Roberts sported a wardrobe that became iconic — think figure-hugging skirts and and those eye-catching high heels that perfectly captured the real Erin’s feisty yet glamorous personality.
Erin Brockovich’s one complaint about the movie
Before the premiere, Erin Brockovich and Julia Roberts had a conversation where Erin joked that Julia’s skirts in the movie were too long.
This amusing observation was later confirmed by the film’s director, Steven Soderbergh. “When Erin saw the movie,” he explained, “she said, ‘The only thing that was inaccurate is that the skirts weren’t short enough.’”
Julia Roberts’ wardrobe Journey in Erin Brockovich
Julia Roberts may have nailed her Oscar-winning performance in Erin Brockovich, but stepping into the real-life activist’s revealing wardrobe came with its challenges. Although Roberts understood the historical accuracy behind the daring outfits, she initially worried they might come across as over-the-top for the screen.
“When you take someone who — by my modest, conservative standards of dressing — is so visually provocative,” Roberts explained, “you don’t want to make it seem like a movie contrivance. ‘Oh, we hired someone with really long legs, so let’s give her the shortest skirts known to mankind.’ You want it to seem as much a part of her as her hair or voice or anything else.”
Once Roberts grasped how essential Erin’s wardrobe was to her character’s personality, she embraced the challenge.
Still, adjusting to the wardrobe (or lack thereof) wasn’t exactly seamless. “I have something in my closet that I would call a ‘dress.’ Erin has something in her closet I call a ‘dre,’” Roberts joked. “The whole ‘ess’ part that covers your ass isn’t there.”
Even the film’s crew needed time to adapt to her on-screen transformation. Roberts recalled, “I’d come into rehearsal in my T-shirt and sweatpants and flip-flops, and everybody was cool. Then I’d come on the set to shoot [in my costumes], and everybody on the crew would be like, ‘What happened?’ But once we all got comfortable with it, it was fine.”
Did Erin Brockovich really date George?
The character of George, the biker boyfriend played by Aaron Eckhart, was inspired by Erin Brockovich-Ellis’s real-life Mexican-American boyfriend, Jorge Halaby.
Erin met the long-haired, Harley-riding biker in the early 1990s, shortly after her second divorce, when she was just 25 years old.
”He lifted me up during a bad time and loved my kids. He used to always make me laugh. And he believed in me. Jorge was great. Yes, he wore the bracelets and had the ponytail. Boy, was he good looking. Gosh, he had the most beautiful hair. And Aaron Eckhart was also very good looking. He did such a good job,” Erin said.
While the two did break up during Erin’s personal journey, Jorge remained an important part of her life. In fact, Jorge was hired as a full-time live-in nanny for Erin’s children. This arrangement was facilitated by the law firm she was working with, who understood the demanding nature of her case and wanted to support her.
Erin Brockovich couldn’t help but laugh about the casting of Aaron Eckhart as George, saying if the real Jorge had looked like that, she’d have never let him go. Their real-life relationship might not have had Hollywood looks, but it was every bit as fun and unique as the movie showed.
The real George had a brain tumor and died
In a 2020 interview with Vulture, Erin Brockovich revealed a deeply personal and heartbreaking detail about Jorge, the man who had been such an important part of her life and her children’s.
Jorge passed away after battling a brain tumor.
”Jorge and I, right at the time the film came out, weren’t together. Jorge had a brain tumor and there were a lot of things going on that I don’t think a lot of us understood. Jorge was a very unique man, and he was so great with my children,” she said.
Albert Finney initially turned down the film
Albert Finney brought a remarkable charm and gravitas to Erin Brockovich, creating one of the film’s most beloved characters, Ed Masry. He didn’t overshadow Julia Roberts but managed to hold his own with a performance that was both funny and endearing. The chemistry between Finney and Roberts was pure magic, a testament to the brilliance of the casting team.
Finney’s portrayal of Ed was a masterclass in understated excellence, showcasing the same dedication he brought to all his roles. From his flawless American accent to the wit and authenticity he injected into every scene, it was clear why he was one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. Whether playing Poirot, Daddy Warbucks, or Ed Masry, Finney’s performances were always layered with charm, wit, and even a touch of malice when needed.
But what many fans might not know is that Finney initially turned down the role. It took Danny DeVito, one of the film’s producers, to step in. DeVito convinced Finney’s girlfriend to persuade him to reconsider, offering to reschedule all of his scenes to be shot closer together so Finney wouldn’t have to spend as much time in Los Angeles. Thankfully, the plan worked, and Finney’s performance remains a highlight of the film, cementing his legacy as one of cinema’s finest talents.
Julia Roberts’ salary in Erin Brockovich
Julia Roberts didn’t just light up the screen in the movie — she made Hollywood history! For her lead role, Roberts earned a groundbreaking $20 million paycheck, making her the first woman to smash through that salary barrier.
It was a jaw-dropping amount at the time, but let’s be honest — after watching her powerhouse performance as the sassy, determined Erin, we all know she was worth every penny.
Julia Roberts made a big mistake on stage
Julia Roberts may have won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Erin Brockovich, but her acceptance speech turned into a bit of a facepalm moment.
In the excitement, she completely forgot to thank the real Erin Brockovich-Ellis! Oops. Later, Roberts laughed off the blunder, joking, “It doesn’t bring out the Albert Einstein moment that you hoped it would.”
Money, money, money…
The real Erin Brockovich-Ellis sold the rights to her incredible story for a cool $100,000, and the film turned out to be a massive hit! With a budget of $52 million, Erin Brockovich went on to gross over $250 million worldwide.
It had an impressive opening weekend, pulling in $28.1 million across 2,848 theaters, securing the second-highest March opening at the time, right after Liar Liar. It was also Julia Roberts’ second-biggest opening weekend, just behind Runaway Bride! Talk about a financial triumph.
“What a dumb name for a movie”
During the wrap party, everyone was debating what to call the film, which had been going by the working title ”Erin Brockovich.”
Curious, the real Erin asked director Steven Soderbergh what they were going to name it, and he simply said, “Erin Brockovich.” Erin’s reaction? “Shit!”
”At that point, I was like, Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no because everyone was like, “What a dumb name for a movie.” That put me in a position that made me nervous,” Erin shared.
A sneaky nod to Aaron Eckhart
At around 23 minutes in Erin Brockovich, there’s a small but fun slip-up.
After the kids finish playing cards with George, the son says, “Good night, Aaron,” mistakenly calling George by the actor’s real name, Aaron Eckhart.
Did you spot the timeline slip?
If you have a sharp eye, you might catch a fun detail in a scene with George and Erin’s kids. At around 1 hour 7 minutes, they’re playing Monopoly: Harley-Davidson Authorized Edition — but here’s the kicker: the game wasn’t released until 1997, a couple of years after the movie’s setting!
A little slip-up in the timeline, but it’s one of those fun movie moments to spot.
Erin Brockovich’s favorite scene in the movie
When asked about her favorite scenes in the movie, Erin Brockovich didn’t hesitate to share her love for some of the wittiest moments. “They’re called boobs, Ed,” she said with a laugh. “I thought that was hilarious. It was such a clever line.”
Another standout moment for her? The bold and shocking line, ‘I’m exhausted, actually. I just gave 634 blow jobs.’
She chuckled, adding, “I’m sorry, but that was funny. It was so outrageous, and Julia delivered it perfectly.” These scenes really captured her sharp, unapologetic humor, which was a defining part of her real-life personality.
After the film’s massive success, it’s the real Erin Brockovich who has kept the movie’s legacy alive through the media.
Julia Roberts had never heard Erin’s story
Meanwhile, the woman who did the heavy lifting in front of the camera, Julia Roberts, has kept a somewhat lower profile. It’s a bit surprising, especially considering the film also changed Julia’s life. It earned her her first Oscar — a monumental achievement that few actresses ever reach.
So, what has Julia said about her experience with the film?
For one, she revealed that she had never heard of the scandal involving PG&E before taking on the role.
Julia also expressed how much she loved playing the role: “It’s compelling material because you have a person who is the most unsuspecting of heroines who also happens to be fabulous and kind of bare than life and vivacious and incredible and talks like a sailor and like all these great things to play.”
Erin Brockovich today
Today, Erin Brockovich is not just a household name but a dynamic media personality, continuing her mission to bring justice to those in need. She hosts the TV series Challenge America with Erin Brockovich on ABC and Final Justice on Zone Reality, inspiring others with her passion for fighting the odds.
Alongside her media work, Erin is the president of Brockovich Research & Consulting, where she helps those affected by environmental issues.
She also serves as a consultant for the prestigious New York law firm Weitz & Luxenberg, specializing in personal injury claims related to asbestos exposure, and works with Shine Lawyers in Australia.
As per 2024, Erin Brockovich lives in Agoura Hills, California, in a home she bought in 1996 with the $2.5 million bonus she received following the Hinkley settlement.
Erin Brockovich husband
Erin’s first marriage to Shawn Brown ended in divorce, and she later married Steven Brockovich, with whom she had her daughter Beth.
After their separation, Erin went on to marry her third husband, actor and country musician DJ, Eric L. Ellis.
Erin Brockovich kids
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Erin is a dedicated mother to three children: a son, Matthew, and a daughter, Katie, from her first marriage to Shawn Brown, and a daughter, Elizabeth (“Beth”), from her second marriage to Steven Brockovich.
Erin Brockovich’s story is as bold as her attitude!
While the film highlighted her revealing wardrobe and sharp language, Erin’s true legacy is rooted in her relentless pursuit of truth for those who needed it most.
So next time you watch Erin Brockovich, remember — it’s not just about the cleavage or the catchy one-liners, but about a woman who refused to back down, proving that sometimes, the most powerful weapon is simply being yourself.