Eric Roberts is opening up about his struggles and reconciliation with family in his deeply personal memoir, Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far. In the book, the 68-year-old actor revisits the highs and lows of his five-decade career, troubled family dynamics, and a heartfelt public apology to his younger sister, Julia Roberts.
A Troubled Childhood and Complicated Father-Son Relationship
Born to Walter Roberts and Betty Lou Bredemus, who ran an acting school in Atlanta, Eric Roberts grew up surrounded by both creative energy and personal turmoil. In Runaway Train, Eric paints a vivid picture of his father, describing him as a man deeply affected by his own abusive upbringing. Eric reveals that his father’s violent tendencies and eventual jealousy over his son’s career caused lasting damage.
Walter Roberts died in 1977, leaving behind unresolved issues between him and his son. Eric writes candidly about how his father’s abusive nature left him conflicted, admitting, “I couldn’t live down the shame of loving him, or of being so much like him.”
Early Acting Success and Personal Demons
Eric Roberts moved to New York at 17 to pursue acting, and it wasn’t long before he found success with films like King of the Gypsies (1978) and Runaway Train (1985), which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. However, alongside his rise to fame came personal struggles, particularly with substance abuse. He reflects on a serious car accident in 1981 that left him in a three-day coma, acknowledging that his drug use worsened afterward. The combination of physical trauma and drug addiction affected his career and memory.
Eric admits his addiction took a toll on his relationships, particularly with his younger sisters Lisa Roberts and Julia Roberts. By the time Julia moved to New York in 1985 to start her own acting career, Eric had developed a full-blown cocaine addiction. At that point, he was already a well-known actor, and Julia’s career was just beginning. Eric recalls his regrettable boast that Julia’s success was only possible because of him, writing in the book, “If it wasn’t for me, there would be no Julia Roberts,” before humbly retracting that claim. He acknowledges it as “an asinine thing to have said.”
A Public Apology to Julia Roberts
Eric Roberts’ relationship with his sister Julia has been the subject of media scrutiny for years, particularly due to reports of estrangement. In Runaway Train, Eric offers a public apology to Julia, admitting that his drug use contributed to the distance between them. He writes, “Lisa and Julia needed love and protection — instead they got fear and uncertainty.”
One of the key moments that strained their relationship was when Julia supported his ex, Kelly Cunningham, during their custody battle over Eric’s daughter, Emma Roberts. Eric concedes that Julia made the right choice in backing Cunningham, as his addiction at the time made him incapable of being a responsible parent. He refrains from detailing the specifics of the custody battle but reflects on the deep impact it had on his family.
Rebuilding Relationships and Seeking Redemption
Despite the past conflicts, Eric Roberts has made efforts to rebuild his relationship with Julia. He writes that they have reconnected over the years, particularly after Julia welcomed her twins in 2004. Today, they maintain a more harmonious relationship, though Eric admits that he will likely be known as “Julia Roberts’ brother” and “Emma Roberts’ dad” for the rest of his life—a reality he is learning to accept with pride and grace.
Eric’s memoir is not just an apology to Julia but also a reflection on his own journey toward healing. He discusses coming to terms with his past, including his complex feelings about his father. He acknowledges that many people who have had abusive or difficult parents can relate to the ongoing struggle to reconcile love with pain. His ultimate message is one of recovery, emphasizing that “it’s never too late to begin to recover from the shame and pain of it all.”
Looking Forward
Eric Roberts, who has been married to Eliza Garret since 1992, continues to work in the entertainment industry, boasting over 700 acting credits. His memoir, Runaway Train, serves as both a reflection on his turbulent life and career and as a message of hope for those battling similar demons.
As Eric concludes in the book, “I’d like to make good on that, to move aside proudly and with grace. That’s part of the reason for writing the book.” Through his candid revelations and heartfelt apologies, Eric Roberts seeks to come full circle—seeking redemption for himself, his family, and his legacy.
FAQs
1. What is the focus of Eric Roberts’ memoir Runaway Train?
The memoir explores Eric Roberts’ troubled childhood, his battle with addiction, and the ups and downs of his career, along with a public apology to his sister, Julia Roberts.
2. How did Eric Roberts’ addiction affect his relationship with Julia Roberts?
Eric Roberts admits that his addiction strained his relationship with Julia and their sister Lisa, creating a sense of fear and uncertainty during his darkest years.
3. What was the cause of tension between Eric Roberts and Julia Roberts?
Their relationship was strained partly due to Eric’s substance abuse and a custody battle over his daughter, Emma, during which Julia supported his ex, Kelly Cunningham.
4. Has Eric Roberts reconciled with Julia Roberts?
Yes, Eric Roberts and Julia Roberts have reconnected over the years, particularly after Julia had children in 2004. Their relationship is now more amicable.
5. What is Eric Roberts’ message in his memoir?
Eric Roberts’ memoir emphasizes recovery, reconciliation, and the possibility of healing from past traumas, including his relationship with his father and his addiction issues.
