Eric Roberts has publicly apologized to his sister, the Oscar-winning Julia Roberts, for previously taking credit for her Hollywood success and addressed his past mistakes as a brother and father.
- Sep 20, 2024
AceShowbiz - Eric Roberts, aged 68, unveiled his memoir titled "Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far" on September 17. Within its pages, Roberts admits that his past assertions, such as "If it wasn't for me, there would be no Julia Roberts," were misguided and "asinine." He expresses the hope that Julia, whom he affectionately calls Julie, will accept his public apology. "It was an asinine thing to have said. I was proud of her, but it was pride turned on its head, to my own advantage," he writes.
Addressing the complexities of their relationship, Eric acknowledges that Julia has always been a "very driven woman" and would likely have found her way to Hollywood success independently. He recalls that he inspired both Julia and their sister Lisa to pursue acting in New York City, even encouraging them to join him when he moved there at a young age.
However, Eric reveals that his struggles with drug addiction significantly strained his relationships with his sisters. He candidly writes, "Lisa and Julia needed love and protection - instead they got fear and uncertainty." He also mentions that his erratic behavior made it difficult for his family to be around him. "I was exhausting to be around," he admits, describing himself as "complainy, blamey, unable to enjoy enjoyment."
In his 2018 Vanity Fair interview, Eric boasted about his influence on Julia and his daughter, actress Emma Roberts, stating, "If it wasn't for me, there would be no Julia Roberts and no Emma Roberts as celebrities, as actresses, and I'm very proud of that." He now retracts these statements, recognizing the negative impact his behavior had on his loved ones.
His memoir also explores the catastrophic fallout of his addiction, particularly the loss of custody of his daughter Emma. Eric writes about his desire to mend familial relationships and take a step back with grace, hoping to remain known as "Julia's brother and Emma Roberts' dad" for the rest of his life.
Despite his troubled past, Eric's love for his sisters remains evident. He recalls times of great closeness and a shared sense of protectiveness within their family. "I was crazy about my sisters. Loved them, adored them. They were precious to me," he writes.
Available wherever books are sold, "Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far" offers a profound look at Eric Roberts' life, career, and his quest for redemption.
