Julia Roberts, 58, Steps Out in NYC with Her 21-Year-Old Son — And Social Media Can't Stop Debating Who He Looks Like — Photos

Julia Roberts' latest outing with her 21-year-old son sparked a lively online debate over one question: Which parent does he look like?

The actress was photographed during a rare walk through New York City, where a simple mother-son moment quickly drew attention to the striking family resemblance seen in the photos.

According to Page Six, the Oscar-winning actress was seen walking through Manhattan on June 25, 2026, with her son during a casual afternoon stroll. The pair appeared relaxed as they walked side by side, talking as photographers captured the outing.

Julia dressed casually for the walk in denim shorts, a loose blue blouse, white sneakers, and black sunglasses. She completed the look with a burgundy crossbody bag, while her long blond hair was pulled back.

Her son also opted for a laid-back outfit, wearing green shorts, a blue T-shirt, striped socks, green loafers, and dark sunglasses. During part of the walk, he added a baseball cap. The photos also showed that he now stands noticeably taller than his mother.

One series of images captured Julia linking her arm through her son's as they continued their walk together. The gesture became one of the most talked-about moments from the outing after the photographs were shared online.

Who Was Walking Beside Julia? Online Comments Quickly Turned to His Resemblance

Because Roberts has kept her family life largely private, many people who saw the photos wanted to know more about the young man walking beside her.

According to the same publication, he is Phinnaeus "Finn" Moder, Roberts' 21-year-old son with her husband, cinematographer Danny Moder. Phinnaeus is the twin brother of Hazel Moder, and the couple also has a younger son, Henry Moder.

Once his identity became clear, many commenters turned their attention to another question: Which parent does he resemble?

Several people thought Phinnaeus closely resembled his father. On Instagram, one user wrote, "He looks just like his dad." Another commenter echoed that view, "I thought that was Danny. He looks like his dad here."

Others pointed to similarities with Julia instead. One person commented, "Looks like his mom with red hair," while another wrote, "Lips like his mother! 💕"

Not every comment focused on family resemblance. Someone else reacted to the photos of Julia linking arms with her son, asking, "does she need his support to walk? she isn't that old."

The discussion continued on Facebook after the images were reposted there.

One commenter wrote, "She does not look like Julia Roberts," while another focused on Phinnaeus's first name instead of his appearance, writing, "Lovely family, love it that Julia's son has an ancient Greek name 😀." A third simply added, "What a name lol."

Another Recent Family Outing Offered a Different Glimpse of Julia's Adult Children

The walk with Phinnaeus was not the only time Julia had been seen with her children this month.

According to the Daily Mail in June 19, the actress was photographed outside Manhattan's historic Jane Hotel with Henry, a day after his 19th birthday. Hazel also joined the outing, along with celebrity hairstylist Serge Normant.

The photos drew attention because Henry now stood head and shoulders above his mother.

Julia wore what appeared to be a black suit with a string of pearls and glasses, while one image showed her wrapping an arm around Henry's waist as they walked together. Phinnaeus and Danny were not part of that outing.

Taken together, the two June outings have provided unusual public glimpses of Julia with her adult children, whom she and Moder have largely raised away from the spotlight.

Julia Says Becoming an Empty Nester Has Meant More Visits, Not More Distance

As her children have grown older and left home for college, Julia has spoken openly about adjusting to life as an empty nester.

During an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in October 2025, host Stephen Colbert noted that she had reached "a huge milestone" since her previous visit.

"You're an empty nester," he told the actress. Julia smiled and replied, "Oh, yes. Yes."

Stephen then joked about whether her husband had ever found her standing in their daughter's bedroom, "turning slow circles" and crying after the children moved out.

Laughing, Julia answered, "I don't know if sobbing now is the best jumping off point to our interview."

Once the conversation turned serious, however, she described the experience in positive terms. "It's all fun, honestly. It is all so delicious," Julia said.

She explained that while her children now live in different places, they still make time to see one another.

"I love hanging out with them and spending time with them. And fortunately, it's...we have had like lots of, you know, visits along the way of this empty nest," she said.

When Stephen asked whether her children still enjoyed spending time with her, Julia laughed before answering, "I think they do. They indicate that."

Page Six has reported that Phinnaeus attends the University of California, Berkeley. His twin sister, Hazel, studies at Trinity College Dublin, while Henry is a student at the Pratt Institute in New York.

Julia Says Her Parenting Hasn't Changed Even Though Her Children Are Adults

Julia has also said that becoming an empty nester has not changed the way she looks after her children.

In an interview with Today in December 2023, she explained that she still checks in with them just as she did when they lived at home. "I parent them the same way out of the house that I parented them in the house," Julia said.

She explained that her conversations still include familiar questions: "Are you getting enough sleep?" "You sound like you're sick." "Are you drinking tea?" She also said she continues asking them to let her know when they arrive home safely.

Julia added that she appreciates how her older children respond to that continued attention, saying: "I have an immense amount of appreciation for both of my older kids because they still allow me to be the same mom to them, and it's not eye-rolling and there's a huge amount of understanding."

Whether commenters saw more of Julia Roberts or Danny in Phinnaeus, the photos accomplished something simpler: they gave fans a rare new look at the actress's eldest son as he joined his mother for an afternoon in New York.