Eric Roberts is reaching out to his sister, Julia Roberts, in a heartfelt apology featured in his new memoir, Runaway Train: The Story of My Life So Far. At 68, Eric reflects on his tumultuous life, including his battles with addiction and their impact on his relationships with Julia and his daughter, Emma Roberts.
Back in 2018, Eric made headlines with a controversial statement during an interview with Vanity Fair, claiming, “If it wasn’t for me, there would be no Julia Roberts and no Emma Roberts as celebrities.” In his memoir, he has since expressed regret for those words, stating, “I hope Julia will accept this public apology. It was an asinine thing to have said.”
Eric candidly addresses his past struggles with cocaine addiction, acknowledging how it strained his relationship with Julia and their sister, Lisa Roberts Gillan. He reflects on the fear and uncertainty his addiction brought to their lives, admitting, “I wouldn’t be surprised if they suffered from PTSD from when it was dangerous to be around me. Lisa and Julia needed love and protection; instead, they got fear.”
The fallout from his addiction also affected his relationship with Emma, whom he shares with his ex, Kelly Cunningham. Julia supported Kelly during a custody battle against Eric when Emma was just a baby. Although Eric doesn’t delve deeply into this situation in his book, he recognizes that Julia’s actions were justified.
Now competing on Dancing With the Stars, Eric expresses a desire to repair his relationships. He writes, “I imagine I will remain as Julia’s brother and Emma Roberts’ dad for the rest of my life. I’d like to make good on that, to move aside proudly with grace.”
Despite the estrangement, Eric has spoken proudly of Emma’s achievements, stating during an appearance on Still Here Hollywood, “I’m in love with my daughter’s work these days. I can’t believe how great she’s become. I’m so proud of her.”
Through his memoir, Eric Roberts aims to acknowledge his past mistakes and foster healing within his family, hoping to move forward with humility and grace. His heartfelt apology to Julia signifies a step towards reconciliation, as he seeks to mend the bonds that have been strained by his struggles.
