Julia Roberts cracks a smile for Lavazza's coffee

Julia Roberts, who was once Hollywood's highest paid actress, is appearing in a 45-second advertisement for Italian coffee house Lavazza, as part of the company's Christmas campaign.

The 43-year-old actress known for playing roles in high grossing blockbusters including Pretty Woman and Erin Brockovich was reportedly paid €1.2 million (£1.14 million) to star in the advertisements, reports the Daily Mail.

Despite the lucrative sum, the Academy Award-winning star does not utter a single word in the heavenly advertisement in which she plays Botticelli's Venus in a setting in the clouds.

Set to be screened over the Christmas period in Italy, the advertisement portrays her as a difficult muse who refuses to smile for the painter until she is offered some of Lavazza's A Modo Mio coffee.

Roberts filmed the advertisement just two weeks ago during a brief visit to Rome where she also shot her latest movie Eat Pray Love, which starred Oscar winner Javier Bardem, James Franco and Richard Jenkins.