A Star Is Born
Born on April 18, 1956, in Biloxi, Mississippi, Eric Roberts began his acting journey far from Hollywood. He honed his craft on the New York City stage, earning critical acclaim and a Theatre World Award for his Broadway performance in Burn This.
By the late 1970s, Roberts quickly transitioned to film. His Golden Globe–nominated role in King of the Gypsies marked the start of a remarkable career. Throughout the ’80s, his smoldering looks and commanding presence made him one of Hollywood’s most magnetic leading men. Iconic films like Star 80 (1983) and Runaway Train (1985), for which he earned an Academy Award nomination, cemented his status.
A Versatile Performer
Roberts showcased his range across indie films like La Cucaracha, which won him Best Actor at the New York Independent Film Festival, and mainstream hits such as The Specialist (1994) and Final Analysis (1992). He remained relevant in later decades with roles in It’s My Party (1996), A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006), The Dark Knight (2008), The Expendables (2010), and Inherent Vice (2014).
Television offered him further opportunities. Recurring roles on Heroes, Suits, CSI, Code Black, and Crash, along with guest appearances on Grey’s Anatomy, Will & Grace, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, highlighted his adaptability. Roberts continues to work in both major and independent productions, appearing in Head Full of Honey and Hard Luck Love Song, as well as the hit series La Reina del Sur.
A Father’s Regret
Behind the red carpets and film sets, Roberts faced personal challenges. His relationship with his daughter, Emma Roberts, has long been complicated. In past interviews, he candidly admitted, “I had abandoned Kelly when Emma was just seven months old.”
The actress rarely discusses their estrangement publicly. In a 2022 Tatler interview, she reflected on growing up with her mother, Kelly Cunningham, saying, “She’s pretty much been with me non-stop since Rhodes was born.” About her father, she added, “Um… how do I say this? No, we’re not [close].”
Eric also acknowledges the emotional toll. On the podcast Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum (2024), he confessed, “Probably the loss of relationship with my daughter” was the hardest period of his life. Despite the distance, he occasionally shares moments of affection. On Emma’s birthday eve in 2023, he posted a throwback photo of her as a child and wrote, “Very happiest of birthday eves to my precious daughter… I knew she’d grow up to be all that and more. I love you, Emma.”
Eliza and Eric Roberts at the Los Angeles premiere of “A Complete Unknown” in Hollywood, California on December 10, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Complex Sibling Bonds
Roberts’ relationship with his famous sister, Julia Roberts, has also faced strains. While once close, personal struggles and fame created emotional distance. In a 2018 Vanity Fair interview, he reflected, “I wouldn’t characterize it as a falling-out. I was crazy about my sisters. Loved them, adored them.”
Time and reconciliation brought moments of warmth. When Julia welcomed her twins in 2004, Roberts visited the hospital with his wife, Eliza, and described the reunion as “immediately awash in brotherly and uncle-ly love.” Though he has publicly credited himself with helping launch Julia and Emma’s careers, he now speaks with care and restraint.
A Love That Endures
Through the turbulence of his personal life, one relationship remained steadfast — his marriage to Eliza Roberts. Their story began unexpectedly on a flight to Los Angeles. A chance seating arrangement sparked a conversation that grew into a lifelong partnership. Roberts credits Eliza with guiding him through his darkest times. “My wife sending me to therapy saved my life,” he said.
Owning His Story
In recent years, Roberts has spoken openly about his battles with addiction. On Today (2024), he reflected, “The only way to be a good example is to get through being a casualty… we drug addicts are casualties, and we have to fight it every day.”
He also confronted the impact on his family. “For many years, I was a practicing drug addict… a lot of people were alienated, especially the family, and the family, I owe them a lot because I love them,” he stated. Now, Roberts embraces his past with honesty and compassion. “Addicts aren’t bad guys,” he explained. “They’re just making a mistake.”
Watching His Legacy
Despite the distance with Emma, Roberts beams with pride over her career. “It’s so much fun for me to watch her become an actor… I love her work,” he said. He would also welcome sharing the screen with both his daughter and sister, underscoring his admiration for their talents.
Eric Roberts remains a Hollywood icon — a man of undeniable charisma, layered talent, and a life story marked by both triumph and redemption.
