At first I was a bit indignant about it, and then I realised, 'No, that's what people want, so that's what is given.' But it's not in your control. It's just what happens to you, and that's what's frightening.

Early life
Ormond was born in Epsom Surrey the daughter of Josephine a laboratory technician and John Ormond a computer software designer. She attended independent schools first Guildford High School and then Cranleigh School where early lead performances in Guys and Dolls and My Fair Lady began to draw special attention. In the following year Julia Ormond co-starred with Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall.

She rose to prominence appearing in such films as Legends of the Fall (1994) First Knight (1995) Sabrina (1995) and The Barber of Siberia (1998). She won Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for role in HBO movie Temple Grandin (2010).