From Oscar-nominated actor to “problem child” to prolific B-movie star, Eric Roberts’s career has been a rollercoaster ride. Now, with the release of his deeply personal memoir, “Runaway Train,” he’s facing his past and seeking redemption.
Eric Roberts, the older brother of Hollywood icon Julia Roberts and father of actress Emma Roberts, has long been a fixture in the entertainment industry. With a career spanning over five decades and boasting close to 850 credits, he’s one of the most prolific English-speaking actors of all time. But his journey has been far from smooth. His early success in the 1980s, including an Oscar nomination for his role in “Runaway Train,” was followed by years of struggle with drug addiction and erratic behavior that damaged his relationships and career prospects.
Recent reports highlight that Roberts is back in the spotlight with the release of his memoir, “Runaway Train: Or, the Story of My Life So Far,” co-written with a contributor to a prominent magazine. In his book, Roberts pulls no punches, offering a raw and honest account of his troubled childhood, his career highs and lows, and his tumultuous relationships with his family, including his estranged sister Julia. He describes growing up in a household marked by his father’s alcoholism and violent tendencies and his mother’s physical abuse. He details his early success in Hollywood, his descent into drug addiction, and the impact it had on his personal and professional life.
One of the most poignant aspects of the memoir is Roberts’s public apology to his sister Julia, with whom he’s had a strained relationship for many years. He acknowledges the hurt he caused her with his past behavior and expresses remorse for the pain he inflicted on his family. He also reveals that he’s come to terms with his father, recognizing the complexity of their relationship and the impact of his father’s own troubled childhood.
The book also sheds light on Roberts’s prolific career in B-movies. After his mainstream success waned, he embraced the world of independent and lower-budget films, becoming a recognizable face in the genre. He attributes this shift to the changing landscape of the entertainment industry, where actors are often paid less and given less time to rehearse. He recognizes that he can no longer wait for the big-budget roles and has embraced the opportunities presented by independent filmmaking.
Roberts’s story is one of resilience and redemption. While he acknowledges his past mistakes, he’s also focused on the present and the future. He credits his wife, Eliza Garrett, with helping him overcome his addiction and rebuild his life. He’s now a contestant on the new season of a popular dancing competition, demonstrating his willingness to embrace new challenges and put himself out there.
Roberts’s memoir is more than just a celebrity tell-all. It’s a story of overcoming adversity, confronting one’s demons, and finding a path to redemption. It’s a reminder that even those who seem to have it all can struggle with personal demons and that it’s never too late to seek forgiveness and make amends. As Roberts himself says, “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.”
With the release of his memoir and his upcoming appearance on the dance competition, Eric Roberts is stepping back into the spotlight. But this time, it’s on his own terms. He’s not seeking fame or validation; he’s simply sharing his story and hoping to inspire others who may be struggling with similar challenges. His journey is a testament to the power of self-reflection, the importance of forgiveness, and the possibility of finding redemption, even after years of making mistakes. Whether or not he’ll fully regain his former mainstream success remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Eric Roberts is no longer running away from his past. He’s facing it head-on, and in doing so, he may finally be finding the peace and fulfillment he’s been seeking.
