In his new memoir titled “Runaway Train: Or, The Story Of My Life So Far,” Eric Roberts appears to be publicly apologizing to his sister after years of estrangement.
According to People, the memoir delves into the actor’s childhood with an abusive father, whom Eric characterized as a “screwed-up individual” and a danger to be around. He also revealed how he began adopting some of his father’s bad traits, which negatively impacted his relationship with his sister, ultimately leading to their estrangement.
Eric Roberts was born in 1956 in Biloxi, Mississippi, to Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Roberts. His sister Julia was born 11 years later. After their parent’s divorce in 1971, the siblings were split from each other.
Eric stayed with their father while Julia lived with their mother. In the memoir, Eric recalled witnessing his father’s occasional violent outbursts, especially when he had been drinking. He endured this treatment for years until 1977 when his father passed away from cancer. By that time, his mother had already remarried.
Eric started his acting career at the age of 18 and quickly found success. With around 700 credits to his name, he has appeared in numerous blockbuster movies, short films, animations, independent films, and television series. Some of his notable works include CBS’s The Young and the Restless, NBC’s Heroes, and the popular legal drama Suits.
His sister Julia later joined him in pursuing an acting career and it took off pretty well. However, Eric, who was already a well-known star, began asserting that his sister wouldn’t have achieved any hope of success without him.
Now, the actor is revealing that, at the time, he had a history of drug abuse and, as a result, once fell into a coma for several days following a serious accident in 1981. This accident had a lasting impact on his memory and recall. In his memoir, he expressed feeling deep shame as he realized that his behavior was mirroring that of his father, which he found reminiscent of his father’s behavior towards him. According to People, he wrote, “I was ashamed of being so much of him and so much like him.”
He went on to apologize to his sister, writing that his past comment “was an asinine thing to have said.” He also included his second sister Lisa Roberts Gillan in his apology.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they suffered from PTSD from when it was dangerous to be around me. Lisa and Julia needed love and protection — instead they got fear and uncertainty.”
Eric Roberts is now 68 years old and Julia Roberts will be turning 57 next month.