Eric Roberts Apologizes to Sister Julia Roberts in New Memoir

(Left) Eric Roberts attends Celebration of Smiles Event in Malibu, Calif., on Dec. 12, 2021. (Right) Julia Roberts attends the Julia Roberts' Chopard Collection launch and dinner in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 8, 2024. JC Olivera/Getty Images; Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Chopard

Actor Eric Roberts, famed for his Oscar-nominated role in “Runaway Train,” is seeking to make amends with his sister, actress Julia Roberts, after previously claiming that he was responsible for her rise to fame.

The 68-year-old penned an apology to his sister for his past remarks in his newly released memoir, “Runaway Train: Or, the Story of My Life So Far,” published on Sept. 17.

“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 wrote.

“That’s not only unfortunate, but it’s also untrue. And I hope Julie will accept this more public apology,” he wrote.

“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.”

One of Eric’s comments can be traced back to a 2018 interview with Vanity Fair.

“When Julia first came to New York, I went into William Morris [talent agency] and I said, ‘Which one of you is going to sign my sister Julia?’” he told the publication.

This was before she became “America’s sweetheart” starting with her role in “Mystic Pizza,” according to Vanity Fair.

“And I am so proud that everybody knows I was first, because I was first by a long shot,” he said. “I was first to get Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, so I’m proud of that.”

‘Losing Emma’

During his Vanity Fair interview, Eric also took credit for the Hollywood success of his daughter, actress Emma Roberts, 33, whom he shares with his former partner, actress Kelly Cunningham.

“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 said.

In his memoir, Eric discussed how his prior battle with drug addiction fractured his relationship with his daughter, whom he lost custody of when she was just a baby.

“Of course, the biggest consequence of my drug use was losing Emma,” he wrote. “I was still impossibly coked up when she was born, which explains everything.”

During an appearance on the “Still Here Hollywood“ podcast in July, Eric expressed his admiration for his daughter’s remarkable career, which has spanned more than 20 years.

“I’m in love with my daughter’s work these days,” Eric said during the podcast episode. “I can’t believe how great she’s become. I’m so proud of her I can’t see straight.”

Some of Emma’s most prominent performances include starring roles FX horror series “American Horror Story” and films “Aquamarine” (2006), “Scream 4” (2011), “We’re the Millers” (2013), and “Nerve” (2016). Emma also starred in the action sci-fi film “Madame Web,” released in February of this year.

Hollywood Career

Eric garnered his breakthrough role in 1978, starring in “King of the Gypsies” alongside Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, and Annette O'Toole—a part that garnered him his first Golden Globe nomination.

Eric went on to helm a string of roles throughout the ‘80s, including “Star 80” (1983), “Runaway Train” (1985), “Nobody’s Fool” (1986), and “Rude Awakening” (1989), receiving Golden Globe nods for the first two films.

The actor’s performance in “Runaway Train” also earned him an Oscar nomination in 1986 for “Best Actor in a Supporting Role.”

Nearly a decade after her brother’s breakout in Hollywood, Julia made her film debut in the 1987 comedy-drama “Firehouse.”

She quickly became a household name, going on to star in a slew of blockbuster films, such as “Mystic Pizza” (1988), “Steel Magnolias” (1989), “Pretty Woman” (1990), “Sleeping With the Enemy” (1991), “Hook” (1991), “The Pelican Brief” (1993), “Stepmom” (1998), “Notting Hill” (1999), and “Erin Brockovich” (2000).

In 2001, the actress was awarded the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her outstanding performance in the lattermost film.

Additionally, she received Golden Globe awards in 1990, 1991, and 2001 for her work in “Steel Magnolias,” “Pretty Woman,” and “Erin Brockovich,” respectively.

Eric highlighted his sister’s strong work ethic in his book, calling her a “very driven woman.”

“Someone would have plucked her out of the crowd in a place like New York without my help.”