10 Timeless Icons of Rom-Coms: Queens and Kings Who Defined the Genre (2 of 6)

9. Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts and the 1990s were an unbeatable combination. In the span from 1990 to 2000, Roberts was at the helm of four highly acclaimed romantic comedies. Pretty Woman catapulted her to superstardom, portraying a street walker who finds love with a wealthy businessman. However, even before her ’90s triumphs, Roberts graced the screen in the charming cult classic rom-com Mystic Pizza. Her later hits like Notting Hill and My Best Friend’s Wedding further highlight why she deserves to be on this list.

8. Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher, the corn-fed Iowan who got his start in the modeling industry, has not only evolved to become one of Hollywood’s most prominent social activists, but has also been one of the go-to actors whenever there’s a romantic comedy to be made. Kutcher got his first big break with his role as Michael Kelso on That ‘70s Show, and became a legit pop culture icon thanks to MTV’s Punk’d. But it is his string of romcoms—starting with 2003’s Just Married and continuing with What Happens in Vegas, Valentine’s Day, Guess Who, and No Strings Attached has made him a mainstay. This continued in February 2023, when Netflix released Your Place or Mine, starring Kutcher alongside Reese Witherspoon.