Julia Roberts Ditches Wedding with Kiefer Sutherland and Runs Away with His Best Pal

Julia Roberts, known for her roles in romantic comedies, soared to stardom with the beloved Hollywood film “Runaway Bride.”

However, long before the success of this movie, Julia, now 52, found herself on the verge of becoming a runaway bride in real life.

In 1991, just two days before her planned wedding to actor Kiefer Sutherland, she made a sudden decision to call off the nuptials.

Their love story began while filming “Flatliners” in 1990, where Julia and Kiefer first set eyes on each other.

At the time, Julia had been engaged to Dylan McDermott, whom she fell for during the filming of “Steel Magnolias.”

Yet, her connection with Kiefer grew stronger, leading her to break off her engagement.

Amidst their blossoming romance, Kiefer was still married to Camelia Kath until their divorce was finalized later that year.

In January 1990, Julia and Kiefer publicly acknowledged their relationship at the Golden Globe Awards, where they were seen affectionately interacting on the red carpet.

During an award acceptance speech for her role in “Steel Magnolias,” Julia expressed gratitude to her “best friend” with unique eyes, hinting at Kiefer's distinctive features.

Their relationship faced a significant challenge when Kiefer was accused of infidelity with a stripper.

This incident shed light on the complexities within their seemingly idyllic bond.

Despite the turmoil, Julia was spotted wearing an engagement ring shortly after the scandal.

However, their wedding plans took a dramatic turn as Kiefer moved out of Julia's home and the ceremony was ultimately called off.

On what was supposed to be their wedding day, Kiefer received news of the cancellation from a mutual acquaintance rather than directly from Julia.

To add insult to injury, he discovered that Julia spent the day with his best friend, Jason Patric, sparking rumors of a budding romance between them.

Instead of embarking on their honeymoon, Julia and Jason traveled to Ireland together, garnering attention from the press and eventually confirming their relationship upon their return.

Although the affair with Jason did not last, it ended in 1992, leaving behind a trail of public curiosity about the failed relationship between Julia and Kiefer.

Nearly two decades later, Kiefer finally opened up about the ordeal during a 2016 interview, commending Julia's bravery in calling off the wedding.

Reflecting on their past, Kiefer acknowledged the challenges they faced as young lovers caught in the spotlight, emphasizing the immense pressure surrounding their highly publicized relationship and canceled nuptials.