Still America's sweetheart: Demure Julia Roberts leads star-studded tribute to Tom Hanks

Julia Roberts came out of the self-imposed seclusion of family life on her New Mexico ranch to lead star-studded tributes to actor Tom Hanks.
The Pretty Woman star, 41, looked chic and demure in a white Dolce & Gabbana sheath dress accessorised Michelle Obama-style with a black cardigan.
And with her auburn locks tumbling over her shoulders, the mother of three appeared to be reprising the look that originally won her the soubriquet 'America's Sweetheart'.
Julia joined Hanks's friends, colleagues and co-stars in New York to honour the star with the Film Society's 36th Annual Gala Tribute at the Lincoln Center.

Just a sweetheart: Julia Roberts retained her girl-next-door image as she arrived in New York to pay tribute to actor Tom Hanks

The actress attended the Film Society Tribute for Hanks alongside Charlize Theron at New York's Lincoln Centre

Her understated style and down-to-earth looks were a treat for fans who witnessed the rare public appearance for Roberts.

 

She snubbed the Oscars ceremony this year preferring to stay at home with her husband, twins - daughter Hazel and son Phinnaeus, both four - and son Henry, one.
And ironically, she failed to show at the London premiere of film Charlie Wilson’s War in which she starred alongside Hanks two years ago.

Tom Hanks with wife Rita Wilson: The star was honoured for his lengthy acting and producing career

Julia has admitted now that she is a mother she is reluctant to strip off on screen, and that she found it difficult to get intimate with co-star Clive Owen in her last film Duplicity because one-year-old son Henry was on set.
She explained: 'That’s when it comes in handy [that] you know somebody well, because you can just look at each other and say: "Isn’t this incredibly uncomfortable?"'

'And then there’ll be my son Henry, on set, just looking from the corner. It’s pretty hideous actually!', she told Now Magazine.

 

Number one fan: Charlize Theron, dressed in a Lanvin lace dress, paid tribute to Hanks and said she was a 'massive fan'

And about stripping off, the svelte actress said: 'I was kind of panicking about it. You have a baby and you just want to stay home and stay in your elasticated-waist pants.'
Julia arrived alone, without husband Danny Moder. And she spoke warmly of her former co-star: 'He's the great quintessential actor.
'He does everything from the campy comedies like Bosom Buddies to Cast Away. Everyone asks what Tom is like. He's what you want him to be.'

Family ties: Hanks's son Colin with guest. He is best known for his role as priest Father Gill in US drama Mad Men

Those in attendance included directors Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg, actress Charlize Theron and singer Bruce Springsteen.
'Besides the fact that I'm a massive fan, I feel like I got interested in acting because of him and watching his work,' Charlize Theron said.
'Getting the chance to work with him and getting to know him a little bit made me realise that there's something about him that is so genuine and sweet, and just sincere.
'Makes you realise the nice guy does end up on top.'

 

Attendees director Steven Spielberg and former supermodel Christy Turlington in a Bottega Veneta gown