Hollywood family dynamics often offer intriguing narratives that grab the public’s attention. One such storyline involves celebrated actor Eric Roberts, renowned for powerful roles in King of the Gypsies and Paul’s Case, who stirred a familial controversy with the release of his memoir, Runaway Train: Or, the Story of My Life So Far.
Eric Roberts: From Georgia to Glamorous Hollywood
Born to Walter Roberts and Betty Lou Bredemus, Eric, the eldest of three siblings, was the first to step foot into Hollywood in the 1970s. His pride in this achievement is evident. Eric’s memoir offers detailed insights into his upbringing under an alcoholic and violent father. He recalls living with his dad post the parents’ divorce while his sisters, Julia Roberts and Lisa Roberts Gillan, stayed with their mother.
The actor also recounts his journey ascending to fame, with standout performances in films like Star 80, Pope of Greenwich Village, and Runaway Train. The last-named film even earned him an Oscar nomination, bolstering a career that now boasts more than 700 credited roles.
Sibling Rivalry with Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts, best known for her role in ‘Pretty Woman,’ relocated to New York at age 17 to chase her acting dreams, following in the footsteps of her older brother. However, their sibling relationship took a sour turn due to Eric’s issues with drug addiction. Furthermore, his public claims attributing Julia’s success to him have fed an alleged ongoing feud between the two.
In his memoir, Eric acknowledges how his addiction affected his relationship with his sisters, stating, “Lisa and Julia needed love and protection — instead, they got fear and uncertainty.”
The Actor’s Claims on His Sister and Daughter’s Fame
In a 2018 interview, Eric expressed pride in significantly influencing the careers of his sister Julia and daughter Emma Roberts. He affirmatively said, “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.” This statement has stirred significant tension between them.
Despite the brewing issues, the siblings patched up their relationship briefly in 2004, referring to each other as “email buddies.” However, Eric’s remarks claiming credit for his sister and daughter’s successful careers have led him to be “blocked” from speaking about both of them.
Eric’s Public Apology in His Memoir
After stoking controversy with his comments, Eric reached out with a public apology to his sister in his recently released memoir. He owned up to his remarks, stating, “Now one of the things I’d like to apologize for in this book is for publicly saying on more than one occasion, ‘If it wasn’t for me, there would be no Julia Roberts.”
He further refuted his earlier claims, arguing that his sister would have thrived in the industry even without his influence or assistance. Yet, he once again ventured into presuming how Julia’s life might have unfolded without his encouragement, hinting at the siblings’ tangled, pride-filled narrative.
Eric on Julia’s Acting and Their Relationship
Despite his apology, Eric offered critiques on Julia’s acting in her Oscar-nominated performance in ‘Steel Magnolias.’ He said, “I don’t think her performance held up in that movie.”
In his memoir, Eric also revealed intimate details about Julia’s childhood, her relationship with Liam Neeson, and how he introduced her to New York’s life.
Rising Tensions After Memoir Release
While Eric expressed remorse for his previous comments, the contents of his memoir have reportedly rekindled the rift with Julia. Reports suggest that Julia is upset about Eric sharing personal details about her life in his book to promote his memoir label it as “unforgivable.”
As the dust settles on the memoir’s release, reports point to a deepening rift, suggesting that the actress may go so far as to sever ties with her brother altogether.
Key Takeaways:
– Eric Roberts, renowned actor, released his memoir Runaway Train: Or, the Story of My Life So Far, stirring controversy within his family.
– The memoir shares an apology to his sister Julia Roberts for previous public comments claiming credit for her success.
– Despite the apology, the memoir has upset Julia, particularly due to Eric sharing private details about her life.
– The memoir’s publication appears to have deepened existing tensions, with reports pointing to Julia possibly cutting ties with her brother.
