**The “Miss Pacific Coast” mix-up**
In the movie, we’re told that Erin once held the title of “Miss Wichita.” In reality, the crown she actually wore was “Miss Pacific Coast.”
Erin herself pointed out this little mix-up and laughed about it later, especially when talking about why she eventually walked away from the pageant world altogether—it simply felt too superficial and small for her.
**Erin Brockovich’s only complaint about the movie**
For all its emotional power and attention to detail, the real Erin has said there was only one thing the film didn’t quite get right: the length of the skirts.
Director Steven Soderbergh later confirmed the story. “When Erin saw the film,” he explained, “she said, ‘The only thing that’s inaccurate is that the skirts aren’t short enough.’”
**Julia Roberts’ wardrobe journey into Erin Brockovich**
Julia Roberts may have won an Oscar for *Erin Brockovich*, but slipping into the character’s unapologetically revealing wardrobe was its own challenge. She understood that the provocative outfits were historically accurate, yet she worried they might look like a cheap Hollywood stunt.
“When you take someone who—by my modest, conservative clothing standards—is so visually provocative, you don’t want it to feel like some movie gimmick,” Roberts explained. “Like, oh, we hired someone with really long legs, so let’s put her in the shortest skirts known to mankind. You want it to feel as much a part of her as her hair, her voice, everything else.”
Once Roberts realized how important Erin’s wardrobe was to her persona, she committed fully.
That didn’t mean getting used to it was easy. “I have things in my closet I’d call ‘dresses,’” she joked. “Erin has things in her closet I’d call ‘dre.’ The whole ‘-ss’ part that covers your backside is missing.”
Even the crew needed time to adjust to the transformation. Roberts remembered, “I’d show up to rehearsal in a T-shirt, sweatpants and flip-flops and everyone was relaxed. Then I’d arrive on set in costume and the crew would go, ‘What happened?’ But once we all made peace with it, everything was fine.”
**Did Erin Brockovich really date George?**
The character of George, the biker boyfriend played by Aaron Eckhart, was inspired by a real Mexican American man in Erin’s life: Jorge Halaby.
Erin met the long-haired Harley-riding biker in the early 1990s, shortly after her second divorce, when she was only 25.
“He lifted me up when times were hard and he loved my kids,” she recalled. “He always made me laugh. He believed in me. Jorge was wonderful. Yes, he wore bracelets and had a ponytail. He was handsome—my God, he had the most beautiful hair. And Aaron Eckhart looked great too. He did such a good job.”
Even though their romantic relationship ended as Erin’s life moved forward, Jorge remained an important part of her world. At one point, he was even hired as a nanny for her children. The law firm she worked with helped arrange that, recognizing how much she had on her plate and wanting to support her.
Erin has joked that if the real Jorge had looked exactly like Eckhart, she might never have let him go. Their real-life relationship may not have been as neatly romantic as the movie version, but it was just as spirited and unique.
**The real Jorge had a brain tumor and died**
In a 2020 interview with *Vulture*, Erin shared a deeply personal and heartbreaking update about Jorge, the man who had been so important to her and her kids.
Jorge died after a battle with a brain tumor.
“At the time the movie came out, Jorge and I weren’t together,” she said. “He had a brain tumor, and there was a lot going on that I don’t think many of us fully understood. Jorge was a very unique person, and he was so good to my children.”
**Albert Finney initially turned the movie down**
Albert Finney brought a wonderful mix of gruffness and warmth to *Erin Brockovich*, turning Ed Masry into one of the film’s most beloved characters. He never overshadowed Roberts, but he absolutely held his own, playing the role with humor and heart. The chemistry between Finney and Roberts is pure magic—a testament to the casting.
Finney’s take on Ed is a masterclass in restrained acting. His flawless American accent, sharp wit and total authenticity in every scene explain why he’s remembered as one of the great actors of the 20th century. Whether he was playing Hercule Poirot, Daddy Warbucks or Ed Masry, Finney always mixed charm, bite and just the right amount of temper.
What many fans don’t know is that Finney initially turned the role down. Producer Danny DeVito had to step in. He convinced Finney’s partner by promising to cluster all of Finney’s scenes together so he wouldn’t have to spend too much time in Los Angeles. Luckily, the plan worked—and Finney’s performance has become one of the film’s standout delights.
**Julia Roberts’ paycheck for *Erin Brockovich***
Julia Roberts didn’t just light up the screen—she made Hollywood history. For *Erin Brockovich*, she earned a then-staggering 20 million dollars, becoming the first woman to break that salary barrier.