Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesJulia Roberts is baaack—at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
While presenting the Oscar winner and her husband Danny Moder with the Humanitarian Award tonight at GLSEN's Respect Awards, Ryan Murphy exclaimed, "You know 25 years ago, ladies and gentlemen, she filmed Pretty Woman in this hotel. That's a long time ago!
"And look at her now," he continued. "Look what she's done in 25 years."
Roberts replied, "25 years is a long time, Ryan. Thanks for pointing that out."
Taking the stage solo, Roberts explained that her "hot husband" couldn't make it to the event because of a work commitment.
"My husband was going to do the talking and he's in Texas," she said, adding, "He's my person, he's that safe partner for me, the one that makes me feel like I can do anything and is there for me when I don't accomplish my tasks and tells me that tomorrow is another day…I didn't always have that person."
The Respect Awards recognize individuals who have made a significant difference to ensure that schools are safe for LGBT youth and their allies.
"I want to energetically just pour my heart out to all the mothers of all the children who have suffered from this kind of bullying," Roberts said.
And then she added with a devilish smile, "I just want to go and beat the s--t out of them. And you can't because then there's the second wave of bullying—‘Oh, your mom just beat the s--t out of that guy.'"
And speaking of moms, Roberts confessed that she wasn't usually up so late. "I'm usually in my second REM cycle by now," she cracked. "You have no idea how long I've been awake today."
Before the event kicked off, Roberts met privately with several of GLSEN's student ambassadors. "The young people in this room tonight have encouraged me infinitely," she said. "I will be a friend to all. I identify tonight as ‘friend to all in this room' because I'm so moved, I am so amazed and I feel that it is now our responsibility as the Moder family…to support all of you in this room in any and every way that we can."
Also honored tonight were Dancing With the Stars' Derek Hough and NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt. Celeb presenters and guests included Amy Poehler, Jim Parsons, soccer player Robbie Rogers, Cheyenne Jackson, Homeland's Morena Baccarin, Elisabeth Rohm, Jessica Capshaw, Rose McGowan and Shemar Moore and Kirsten Vangsness of Criminal Minds.
PS: Roberts looked, as usual, gorgeous in a leopard print silk short sleeve Gucci cocktail dress and nude leather high heels detailed with gold studs.