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.

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.

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.