Julia Roberts’ brother Eric issues public apology to sister following brutal comments about her amid estrangement
Kya Buller
Featured Image Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for King Richard Productions/Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images
Eric Roberts, the brother of Julia Roberts and dad to Emma Roberts, has issued a public apology to his sister for claiming to take responsibility for her career.
The 68-year-old actor, whose credits include Suits and The Dark Knight, has written a memoir reflecting on his life - Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far.
In 2018, Eric made headlines when he told Vanity Fair: "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.
"When Julia first came to New York, I went into William Morris and I said, ‘Which one of you is going to sign my sister Julia?’"
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He added: "I am so proud that everybody knows I was first, because I was first by a long shot. I was first to get Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, so I’m proud of that."
People reports that Eric writes in his new book: "I hope Julia will accept this public apology. It was an asinine thing to have said."
Eric confronted that he struggled with cocaine addiction, too.
He writes: "I wouldn’t be surprised if they suffered from PTSD from when it was dangerous to be around me. Lisa [his older sister] and Julia needed love and protection - instead they got fear and uncertainty."
Eric admits: "Of course, the biggest consequence of my drug use was losing Emma," before detailing a custody battle that took place when he split from Emma's mum, Kelly Cunningham, when their daughter was a baby.
Eric then explains that his sister, Julia, supported his ex Kelly during the custody battle when his drug use was at its worst - and understands why she did it.
He later writes: “I imagine I will remain as Julia’s brother and Emma Roberts’ dad for the rest of my life. I’d like to make good on that, to move aside proudly and with grace. That’s part of the reason for writing the book.”
He also goes into detail about a fraught relationship with his father, Walter Roberts, but insists he's now made his peace.
He writes that Walter, who died of cancer in 1977, 'was a very screwed-up individual and not safe for me, or anyone, to have as a father'.
Eric adds: “I knew that I loved him. I couldn’t live down the shame of loving him or of who he was, someone capable of terrible things.
"I was ashamed of being so much of him and so much like him.”
Eric concludes: “If you’ve ever loved a parent … with a cruel nature, it’s never too late to begin to recover from the shame and pain of it all.”
Tyla has contacted representatives for Julia Roberts for comment.