Julia Roberts’ brother Eric apologizes for saying he’s responsible for her Oscar-winning career
Eric Roberts, the brother of Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts, has apologized for taking responsibility for her career.
“I hope Julia will accept this public apology. It was an asinine thing to have said,” he writes in his upcoming memoir, “Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far,” according to People.
Eric, who is also the father of actress Emma Roberts, took credit for his sister’s phenomenal acting career several times over the years.
Most recently, he made headlines in 2018 for telling 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.”
“And I am so proud that everybody knows I was first, because I was first by a long shot,” he added.
“I was first to get Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, so I’m proud of that.”
He also took credit for getting Julia signed to WME in his chat with Vanity Fair.
Eric, 68, moved to New York City at the ripe age of 17 to pursue a career as an actor. He landed his breakout role in the 1978 film “King of the Gypsies.”
His supporting role in 1985’s “Runaway Train” earned him his first Oscar nod.
His little sister, however, would arrive in New York in 1985 and embark on a fruitful career that eventually surpassed his.
She landed her first Academy Award nomination for “Steel Magnolias” in 1990, which was followed by another in 1991 for “Pretty Woman.” She took home the best actress Academy Award in 2001 for “Erin Brokovich.”
“I imagine I will remain as Julia’s brother and Emma Roberts’ dad for the rest of my life,” Eric reportedly concedes in his memoir.
“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.”
Eric, who struggled with a cocaine addiction after moving to the Big Apple, lost custody of Emma, now 33, when she was a baby. He writes that losing the “Scream Queens” star was the “biggest consequence” of his drug abuse.
He also admits his drug abuse drove a wedge between his relationship with Julia, 56, and their other sister, Lisa, 59.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they suffered from PTSD from when it was dangerous to be around me,” he reflects.
In July, Eric made headlines after he appeared on the “Still Here Hollywood” podcast and said he “can’t talk about” Julia or Emma.
“I’m not supposed to talk about either of them. But I do,” he added.
Later in the podcast, he said he was “in love” with his daughter’s work and is “so proud of her [he] can’t see straight.”
In 2022, he squashed feud rumors by claiming he and Julia have “always been fine.”
“My sister and I, though, we’ve always talked, we’ve always bitched,” he went on.
“I’ve always had fun, known each other. Simple as that. I love knowing my sister. She’s a cool chick, my sister.”
