Eric Roberts: A Life in the Shadow of Julia Roberts and His Battle for Redemption
For decades, Eric Roberts, a talented actor in his own right, has often been overshadowed by his younger sister, Julia Roberts, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actresses. Despite both siblings achieving success, their relationship has been far from smooth. Surprisingly, Eric is reportedly not allowed to mention Julia’s name in interviews.
Born nearly a decade apart—Eric in 1956 and Julia in 1965—the siblings were raised by the same parents and both pursued acting careers. Eric made a name for himself in the 1970s with films like King of the Gypsies (1978) and later appeared in The Expendables and The Dark Knight. Meanwhile, Julia won an Academy Award for her roles in iconic films such as Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, and Erin Brockovich.
A Relationship Strained by Addiction
While Eric insists that he and Julia have always been on good terms, his struggles with substance abuse caused significant tension. He recalls a time when he was asked about Julia during a press tour following the success of Pretty Woman. His response was, “Pardon me. May we discuss me?”—a sign of his frustration with always being in her shadow.
Eric’s battles with addiction were long and well-documented. His downward spiral began in the 1980s when a serious car accident left him in a coma for three days. Initially, he claimed the crash happened because he was trying to save his girlfriend’s dog from falling out of his Jeep. However, years later, he admitted that he had been high on cocaine at the time.
His troubles didn’t stop there. In 1987, he was arrested for drug possession, harassing a woman, and assaulting a police officer. Later, in 1995, he was involved in a domestic dispute with his wife, Eliza. Though authorities claimed he pushed her, Eric and Eliza later denied any physical violence.
The Impact on His Family
Eric’s self-destructive behavior took a toll on his relationships, particularly with Julia and their older sister, Lisa. He acknowledges that his actions were exhausting for those around him, saying, “I was always whining, placing blame, and lacking appreciation for anything. Like everyone else, Julia needed a break from me.”
The tension within their family can be traced back to their childhood. Their parents, Walter Grady Roberts and Betty Lou Bredemus, divorced in 1971. Eric stayed with his father in Atlanta, while Julia and Lisa moved with their mother to Smyrna, Georgia. The financial strain from the divorce only made things more difficult.
At one point, Eric made public statements suggesting his mother was “dead” to him, a remark he now deeply regrets. He realizes the impact it had on his younger sisters, who were just 11 and 13 at the time.
A Long Road to Reconciliation
Despite years of estrangement, a turning point came in 2004 when Julia invited Eric to the hospital after she gave birth to her twins, Phinnaeus and Hazel. That moment helped mend their fractured relationship. She later had a third child, Henry, in 2007.
Though their bond remains complicated, Eric still takes pride in Julia’s career, even jokingly crediting himself for helping launch it. He recalls taking her to meet influential people in Hollywood when she was a teenager, ensuring she had the right connections.
Eric’s Daughter, Emma Roberts, and Her Own Challenges
The Roberts family talent didn’t stop with Julia. Eric’s daughter, Emma Roberts, has built a successful career starring in American Horror Story and films like We’re the Millers. However, Emma’s journey hasn’t been easy. Eric’s drug addiction led to him losing contact with her when she was a baby, leaving his ex, Kelly Cunningham, to raise her.
At the time, Julia sided with Kelly, understanding the severity of Eric’s addiction. Looking back, Eric admits it was the right decision. However, Emma later revealed that being part of such a famous family has had its drawbacks, admitting that she has likely lost roles due to the Roberts name and the opinions people hold about her relatives.
The Unspoken Rule: No Mention of Julia
Today, the Roberts siblings seem to have an unspoken agreement not to discuss one another publicly. During a podcast interview, Eric revealed that Julia prefers to keep their relationship private, saying, “She does not want to talk about it. I love my sister, but I cannot talk about her.”
Despite this, Eric occasionally can’t help but express admiration for his daughter and sister. He recently shared how proud he is of Emma’s acting career, saying, “I can’t see straight because I’m so proud of her.”
Looking Toward a Peaceful Future
Writing his memoir has helped Eric come to terms with his past, including his struggles with addiction and the strain it placed on his family. He hopes to live out his remaining years with dignity, knowing that, for better or worse, he will always be known as Julia Roberts’ brother and Emma Roberts’ father.
“I want to fulfill my promise and go with dignity and pride,” he said. “I wrote the book in part for that purpose.”
