🔥 Trending Who is Eric Roberts? Details on Emma Roberts' Father

Eric Roberts is an Academy Award-nominated American actor known for his extensive career in film and television, and for being the older brother of actress Julia Roberts and father of actress Emma Roberts ²³⁷.

Early Life and Family Background

Born Eric Anthony Roberts on April 18, 1956, in Biloxi, Mississippi, Eric Roberts comes from a family deeply rooted in the performing arts ¹. His parents, Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts, were actors and playwrights who met while touring with a production for the armed forces ¹. In 1963, they co-founded the Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop, further cementing the family's connection to the theater ¹.

Acting Career and Recognition

Roberts' career spans decades, featuring a wide range of roles. He received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in the 1985 film Runaway Train ³⁵. He is also a three-time Golden Globe nominee for his roles in Runaway Train, Star 80 (1983), and King of the Gypsies (1978) ³⁵. Additionally, his work in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints earned him acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival ³.

Recent Activities and Public Profile

In recent years, Roberts has remained active in the entertainment industry and has gained renewed public attention through various endeavors:

• Memoir Release: In 2026, he released his memoir titled Runaway Train: Or, The Story of My Life So Far, which he describes as his "public apology" to his sister Julia Roberts ⁴⁶⁷. The book delves into personal aspects of his life and career ⁶.
• Television Appearances: Roberts has been a participant in the television show Dancing With the Stars ⁷.
• Family Matters: He has recently been in the news regarding his relationship with his daughter, Emma Roberts, particularly after her wedding to Cody John on July 26, 2026 ⁸. Eric Roberts publicly addressed his absence from the event ⁸.

Despite the fame of his sister Julia Roberts and daughter Emma Roberts, Eric Roberts has maintained a prolific acting career, often appearing in numerous films and television series annually.