Happy Birthday Erin Brockovich-Ellis

Born: June 22, 1960 in Lawrence, Kansas, USA

Married to: Eric L. Ellis (20 March 1999 – present) (filed for divorce)
Steven Michael Brockovich (2 September 1989 – 30 April 1990) (divorced) (1 child)
Shawn Brown (April 1982 – 30 December 1987) (divorced) (2 children)

While working as a paralegal on a pro bono real estate case, Erin sorted through the file and discovered that a public utility company was contaminating a town’s water supply. She then knocked on doors to discuss the problem with residents and helped plaintiffs win $333 million in damages in one of the largest class-action lawsuits in history. Afterwards, a film was made about her life.

Portrayed by Julia Roberts in the movie Erin Brockovich (2000), which won Roberts an Oscar.

After the success of the film about her, she was the target of a blackmail attempt by her first husband and an old boyfriend (the ‘George’ character in the movie) who, with their attorney, threatened to smear her reputation as a parent. She called the police, who recorded his shakedown threats and arrested them. The attorney reportedly served time in prison as a result.

QUOTE:

[on environmental issues] People can’t trust anybody, which is why I get so many emails. People don’t know where to report information. If you see something, say something. Did you notice your water smelled funny? Don’t be afraid to talk about it.