Fame, Addiction, and Apology: Eric Roberts Opens Up in His Memoir

Eric Roberts, a man known for both cinematic excellence and personal hardships, just published his memoir, Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far. This book takes readers on a trip through the ups and downs of his acting profession, strained family ties, and his quest for healing.

Eric Roberts Early Success and Family Struggles

Eric’s acting career began in the 1970s when he swiftly acquired prominence with films like Star 80 and Runaway Train. However, his personal life was far from glamorous. Born to Walter Roberts and Betty Lou Bredemus, Eric had a rough adolescence, plagued by his father’s emotional and verbal abuse. After his parents divorced, his mother remarried, and Eric found himself living with his father, while his two sisters, Julia and Lisa, resided with their mother.

His father, Walter, was a dynamic figure—often promoting Eric’s acting career while also sharply criticizing him. Walter’s caustic demeanor further heightened Eric’s troubles, sending him to New York to pursue acting at an early age. By the late 1970s, Eric had started creating a name for himself, but his troubles were also starting to take hold.

Fame, Addiction, and Family Tensions

As Eric’s fame climbed, his addiction to narcotics, notably cocaine, became a huge aspect of his life. By the time his younger sister, Julia Roberts, went to New York to pursue her acting career in the mid-1980s, Eric was already battling with addiction. At the time, he was the more famous sibling, but Julia’s rise to superstardom quickly overshadowed his fame.

Eric’s drug addiction produced a profound split between him and his family, particularly with Julia and Lisa. His tumultuous lifestyle left his sisters feeling frightened, and their relationship weakened. Eric freely confessed that his addiction certainly caused his sister’s long-term mental harm, adding that they “needed love and protection—instead they got fear and uncertainty.”

The tension worsened after Eric lost custody of his daughter, Emma Roberts, following a long dispute with his ex-girlfriend, Kelly Cunningham. Julia, recognizing the depth of Eric’s addiction, sided with Cunningham in the court struggle. Eric has now realized that Julia’s decision was in the best interest of their family, even if it worsened the strain between them.

Eric Roberts’ Apology and Reflection on Family Feuds

In his memoir, Eric gives a public apology to Julia, calling it a crucial step toward recovery. He regrets his prior comment, “If it wasn’t for me, there would be no Julia Roberts,” and muses on how his addiction contributed to the demise of their relationship. He hopes that by addressing these concerns honestly in his biography, his family will accept his apologies and allow them to move ahead.

While Julia has been relatively silent on their relationship, Eric explains that they decided not to publicly discuss each other’s careers. As for his daughter Emma, Eric observes that their relationship is “cordial but not close,” largely due to the years of estrangement caused by his addiction.

A Resilient Career and Continued Struggles

Despite his issues, Eric Roberts has had a busy acting career, collecting over 850 credits on IMDb. However, his addiction and erratic behavior forced him to lose out on big assignments, including the possibility of working with directors like Quentin Tarantino and Oliver Stone. His career could have taken a far different route, but Eric’s ability to obtain steady assignments, even in lesser movies, kept him afloat.

Eric’s memoir also reveals the realities of the entertainment industry today. He agrees that employment is scarce and that actors no longer receive the same amount of compensation or rehearsal time as they did decades ago. This caused him to adjust, and now, he says yes to practically every acting job that comes his way.

Eric Roberts’ Reflections on Addiction and Redemption

Eric’s journey to rehabilitation wasn’t easy. His drug addiction led to legal difficulties and destroyed his personal life. However, with the assistance of his wife, Eliza Garrett, he eventually sought therapy. She stood by him during his lowest times and helped him achieve steadiness in his personal and professional life.

Eric readily admits that his marriage played a key role in his survival. Without Eliza, he believes he might not have made it through his darkest periods. He finishes his memoir with a message of optimism for everyone who has battled addiction or a tough connection with a parent, advising them to seek recovery and not let the suffering dictate their life.

Eric Roberts’ memoir portrays a mixed portrait of a guy who has seen both the heights of stardom and the depths of addiction. His public apologies to his sister Julia, his musings on family dysfunction, and his forthright admissions about his personal mistakes present a raw and honest depiction of his life. As he pursues his acting profession and personal journey, Eric stays hopeful that he can mend the relationships he once lost and leave behind a legacy of atonement.

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Sources: Yahoo News, LA Times, People.com