Eric Roberts had the looks, talent, and danger that made him one of Hollywood’s hottest rising stars of the 1980s. But behind the fame was heartbreak—at 35, he walked away from his baby daughter, Emma, just seven months old.
Addiction wrecked his life and relationships. His sister, Julia Roberts, helped Emma’s mother, sparking rumors of a feud that Eric later denied. “There was no betrayal,” he said.
Emma grew up visiting Julia on film sets, eventually becoming a star herself. Asked if she was close to her father, she replied, “No, we’re not.”
Years later, Eric got sober and began to rebuild. “I owe my family a lot because they love me,” he said. Today, at 69, he’s traded fame for peace—and quietly watches his daughter shine in the spotlight he once chased.
