Julia's Pure Mother Pleasure

Julia Roberts says being a mum is "all I could ever ask for."

The 40-year-old actress told guests at a dinner held in Los Angeles in her honour at the weekend: "More than anything I am just the most proud wife and mother to three of the most amazing children."

"And the widening of my life, and my hips, is really just the true gift of my husband Danny, who I would be so lonely without."

After having only given birth to the newest addition to her family three months ago, she joked: "Is there a hungry baby in the house? Come on up!"

Among the guests at the Beverly Hilton bash were Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Bruce Willis, Shirley MacLaine and Natalie Portman.

The black tie event was orgainsed by American Cinematheque paid tribute to her contribution to film in a black-tie ceremony at the Beverly Hilton.

Her co-star Tom Hanks told the crowd: "Julia Roberts is, at the end of the day, going home to a husband way better looking than you will ever be."

"Everybody loves Julia, everybody, everybody."