How Julia Roberts' Long-Standing Feud With Brother Eric Roberts Began
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.
Eric Roberts is done feuding with his younger sister, Julia Roberts. The 68-year-old actor is calling his new memoir, Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far, an official “public apology” to his 56-year-old sibling, according to People.
More from SheKnows
In the press, the longstanding fight was fueled by his infamous quote, “If it wasn’t for me, there would be no Julia Roberts.” Eric found success ahead of his sister with projects like Star 80 and The Pope of Greenwich Village, but her stardom soon eclipsed his — and his cocaine addiction didn’t help matters. Eric told the media outlet that his drug abuse was a catalyst in the breakdown of their relationship.
“[59-year-old sister] Lisa and Julia needed love and protection — instead they got fear and uncertainty,” he explained of how his addiction took over his life. The sisters were forced to choose sides when Eric was in a custody battle with his ex-girlfriend, Kelly Cunningham, over their daughter, Emma Roberts, now 33 years old. “Of course, the biggest consequence of my drug use was losing Emma,” he shared of losing his daughter when she was just a baby. Julia sided with Cunningham because Eric’s addiction was at its peak — and now, he understands it was the right decision for everyone involved.
There seems to be a Roberts family rule that Eric is forbidden from speaking about his daughter or his sister in the press. Eric revealed that telling detail in an interview on the Still Here Hollywood podcast in July. “I love my sister, but I can’t talk about her. She doesn’t want to talk about it,” he admitted. “And also, my daughter told me not to talk about her, but I stumble and do. I’m not supposed to talk about either of them. But I do.”
While Julia has remained surprisingly silent on the Eric topic over the decades, but Emma has hinted what her association with her father has done to her career. “I’ve lost more jobs than I’ve gained from being in the business,” she told Flaunt magazine. “People have opinions and sometimes maybe they’re not good opinions of people in your family. I’ve never gotten a job because of it; I know I definitely have lost a couple of jobs because of it.”
It’s not really clear where Julia and Emma stand with Eric now. He seems to think that they are OK behind the scenes, but his “public apology” might speak volumes about their reported strained relationship. Let’s just say, it’s complicated.
Before you go, click here to see family feuds we can’t believe played out in public.
Best of SheKnows
All the Bachelor & Bachelorette Couples Who Are Still Together
20 Famous Women Who Have Played Roxie in Chicago on Broadway
The Quickest Breakups in 'Bachelor' & 'Bachelorette' History
Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
