Julia Roberts almost passed out after winning the Oscar in 2001 for her performance in "Erin Brokovich" and had to be calmed by presenter Kevin Spacey, according to a new book.

Academy awards historian Steve Pond claimed Spacey made the actress sit down as soon as she came off stage after receiving the Oscar, reported Contactmusic.com.

In "The Big Show: High Times + Dirty Dealings at the Academy Awards", Pond claimed Spacey ordered a crewmember to fetch a bottle of champagne. The "L.A. Confidential" star continued to sit with the actress while she recovered.

Pond's new book also revealed Barbara Streisand sat in seclusion backstage at the 1973 Oscars because she didn't want anyone to know she was present if she didn't win the best actress award for "The Way We Were". That year the honour went to Glenda Jackson.