Actress Julia Roberts has picked up the 2007 American Cinematheque awards at a ceremony in LA, just a year after presenting George Clooney with the honour.

Roberts, who won an Oscar in 2001 for her performance as Erin Brockovich, said she is most proud of her role as a wife and mother to three young children.

A popular Hollywood actress since her first major role in 1988’s Mystic Pizza, Roberts is best known for hits Pretty Woman and Steel Magnolias.

Tom Hanks, who is starring alongside the 39-year-old in upcoming Afghanistan war drama Charlie Wilson’s War, enthused: ‘Everybody loves Julia Roberts. Everybody, everybody, everybody.’

The award, which raises money to support aspiring actors, has been accepted by Tom Cruise and Martin Scorsese in previous years.

Speaking at the benefit dinner in Beverly Hills, Roberts said: 'I really am just a girl from a little town in Georgia, who had this giant, absurd dream.’