Actress Julia Roberts married cameraman Daniel Moder early on Thursday. PHOTO - REUTERS

TAOS, New Mexico- Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts began her Fourth of July celebration with fireworks, marrying movie cameraman Daniel Moder in a star-studded midnight ceremony at her sprawling ranch near Taos. The 34-year-old Roberts, who has been married once before to offbeat country singer Lyle Lovett, fell for the married Moder after meeting him two years ago on the set of „The Mexican.“ An invitation was intercepted by reporters on Wednesday stating that an annual barbecue at Roberts‘ 40-acre (16 hectare) spread was planned. All invited guests, including George Clooney and Brad Pitt, were asked to wear white linen.

Roberts and Moder sparked rumors in April when both made their first public appearance together during the Taos Talking Picture Festival. Residents of Taos treat the star like a normal neighbor and have repeatedly asked media to leave Roberts‘ alone. „Runaway Bride“ star Roberts has bolted from several high-profile romances and her love life has been the subject of celebrity gossip reports for over a decade. Roberts left fellow actor Kiefer Sutherland three days before their planned wedding in 1991 and ran off with Jason Patric. She has also been linked to Dylan McDermott and Liam Neeson, and last year ended a four-year relationship with actor Benjamin Bratt, who married actress Talisa Soto in April. Last month Moder, 33, dumped his wife of five years — make-up artist Vera Steinberg — to be with the enormously rich Roberts. She is one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood who won the best actress Academy Award for her role as a crusading legal aide in „Erin Brockovich“ (2000). She cemented her position as a top star after appearing opposite Richard Gere in the romantic comedy „Pretty Woman“ (1990) and later rejoined him in the movie „Runaway Bride“ (1999) where she played the part of a woman who has a long history of leaving men waiting at the altar.

Reuters