Eric Roberts' Drug Addiction Alienated Him from Sister Julia for Several Years

Some years ago, Eric Roberts’ relationship with his actress sister, Julia Roberts, was very strained. The actor went to great lengths to relate details about the difficult time in an interview.

The “Inherent Vice” star explicitly detailed the troubled phase while he spoke to "Vanity Fair.” He related that his substance use indirectly pushed Julia, who is also a world-famous entertainer, away. He mentioned that the addiction progressed to the extent that must have been very overwhelming for his little sister.

Eric:

“Everyone in my world needed a break sometimes, and that must have included Julia.”

As he implied, it wasn't only Julia that hated his debilitating habits; the entire Roberts family expressed great disapproval at the time. He explained that being the tight-knit family they were, they always strived to protect each other the best they could, but even that couldn't keep them together at the time.

His addiction quickly became a subject of tension in the family, and despite being aware of this, the handsome actor explained that he still found it extremely difficult to stop.

Eric said:

“The hardest person to protect yourself from is yourself.”

Things spiraled out of control as the 63-year-old star went on to disclose that Julia became distant from him. In 1993, the siblings had a major falling out when the award-winning actress supported Eric's past lover, Kelly Cunningham, in a custody battle over their one child.

After the nasty incident, the pair remained out of touch marking themselves as “estranged” siblings. The closure came about a decade later when Julia birthed her twin children.

Eric made the first move, choosing to go and meet the new mother in the hospital. He described the important moment saying he was surrounded by "brotherly and uncle-ly love." Ever since then, the pair have enjoyed a loving relationship as he went on to add that they frequently spend the holiday seasons together.

Eric, who made his acting debut in “King of the Gypsies,” can be regarded as a veteran in the film industry; with a career that spans over forty years! Eric's family are a talented bunch; his sisters, Julia Roberts, Lisa Roberts Gillan, and his daughter, Emma Roberts are also notable figures in the movie industry!

During the interview, Eric pridefully mentioned that without him, "there'd be no Julia Roberts or Emma Roberts.” He also went on to say that he was very proud to have been the first to get nominated for Golden Globes and Academy Awards. That, you'd agree, is no mean feat!