Erin Brockovich’s Real Life: Meet the Man Behind ‘George’ and Her Kids!

Hollywood occasionally makes timeless films, and Erin Brockovich is definitely one of them. But there’s so much more to the movie than what we see on screen. There are scenes and hidden details that add extra depth to the story.

Julia Roberts nailed her role as Erin Brockovich. It’s truly one of the best films I’ve seen — no fancy special effects, just powerful acting and a story that really hits home. The film tells the true story of Erin Brockovich, a single mom who took on a huge corporation over water contamination. Roberts portrayed Erin in a way that felt real and inspiring.

Erin Brockovich is a classic, one I’d rather watch again over many newer movies today.

While the movie is a masterpiece, it also has some quirky behind-the-scenes moments that make it even more fun! Here are a few interesting facts and little-known details about the film:

A surprise in the movie comes at the beginning, when a waitress appears. It turns out, that’s the real Erin Brockovich! She made a cameo as a blonde waitress in the diner scene when Julia Roberts and her kids stop for food. This was part of the film’s contract, allowing Erin to have this special moment in the movie.

When Erin stepped onto the set for her cameo, it felt like an out-of-body experience. She played a waitress named Julia, while Julia Roberts sat nearby. Erin admitted that acting was a huge challenge for her, especially in front of Roberts, and she was very nervous about messing up.

Besides Erin, her real-life lawyer, Ed Masry, also appears in the film. In the same diner scene, you can spot the real Ed Masry, played by Albert Finney, sitting in the background.

The real Erin Brockovich once said the movie was 98-99% accurate. However, there were some things left out. For example, while the film suggests Erin used her appearance to manipulate people, she explained that she never intentionally did so. Erin’s focus was always on the lives affected by the contamination, not her looks.

Erin has shared her personal struggles, including battling dyslexia, anorexia, and the self-doubt that led her to get breast implants during her second marriage. Looking back, she has no regrets about her decision, saying it helped boost her confidence.

The film says Erin won the title of Miss Wichita, but in reality, she was Miss Pacific Coast. Erin laughed about the mistake and reflected on her decision to leave beauty pageants, which she found shallow.

Before the movie came out, Erin jokingly told Julia Roberts that the skirts in the film were too long. The film’s director, Steven Soderbergh, later confirmed that Erin thought the skirts should have been shorter, just like the real Erin’s wardrobe.

Julia Roberts had to get used to Erin Brockovich’s revealing wardrobe, which was a challenge at first. While she understood the character’s style, she worried it might seem too over-the-top. But once she embraced it, she found it easier to portray Erin’s feisty personality.

In the film, Erin’s boyfriend, George, played by Aaron Eckhart, is based on Erin’s real-life boyfriend, Jorge Halaby. Erin met Jorge in the early 1990s, and he became an important part of her life. Although they broke up during Erin’s journey, Jorge remained close to her and helped care for her children.

In 2020, Erin revealed a heartbreaking detail: Jorge passed away after battling a brain tumor. Despite their breakup, he was always a significant part of her life and her children’s.

Albert Finney, who played Ed Masry, initially turned down the role. It took Danny DeVito, one of the producers, to convince him to reconsider by offering to shoot all his scenes in a shorter time. Thankfully, Finney agreed, and his performance became one of the film’s highlights.

Julia Roberts admitted that before taking the role, she had never heard of the PG&E scandal. She loved playing Erin because she was an unlikely heroine, yet she was fabulous, real, and unapologetic.

Erin is still making an impact. She hosts Challenge America with Erin Brockovich and Final Justice, and she also runs Brockovich Research & Consulting, helping those affected by environmental issues. She works as a consultant for a law firm and lives in Agoura Hills, California, in a house she bought with her $2.5 million bonus from the Hinkley case.

Erin has three children: a son, Matthew, and a daughter, Katie, from her first marriage, and a daughter, Elizabeth (“Beth”), from her second marriage. She is now married to DJ Eric L. Ellis.

Erin Brockovich’s story is as bold as her personality. While the film highlighted her looks and sharp language, her true legacy is in fighting for justice for those in need. So next time you watch Erin Brockovich, remember, it’s not just about the one-liners and the revealing wardrobe, but about a woman who refused to back down, showing that sometimes, the most powerful weapon is simply being yourself.