Left by Her Famous Dad at 7 Months Old, She Turned Her Pain Into Success – Who Is She?

The actress was born into Hollywood, but her early life was shaped as much by upheaval as by fame after her parents separated when she was still an infant.

When her parents separated, the event quietly defined the rhythm of this actress’s childhood. Her father, a famous actor, left when she was only seven months old. Today, as he opens up more about those early years, her career looms large in the background of her formative story.

A Father's Shaky Start

The actress's father has opened up about how much he once looked forward to becoming a parent. He noted that while both he and his partner wanted children, the desire may have been stronger for him.

He also recalled that they went through a difficult period as a couple, and said his partner endured a great deal. He even admitted that his partner may have had doubts about whether to stay with him.

When they found out they were expecting, the actress's father described the pregnancy as "exciting." He said he often sang "happy birthday" to his unborn child while she was still in her mother's belly.

When she arrived, he remembered that he "fell madly in love" with her the instant he saw her. The birth happened naturally, and the couple had tried to time it for her exact due date. He recalled that she cried and seemed unsettled at first, but when he started singing "happy birthday," she appeared to recognize his voice and gradually calmed down.

In his memoir "Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far," he later revealed that he left his partner when their daughter was just "seven months old." Although he said he loved his child, he admitted he was not ready to take on the responsibilities of fatherhood after the breakup.

"I couldn't handle the realities of an infant coming into my life, and I couldn't handle being a parent! I'm still not a father figure," he wrote. He connected his struggles as a parent to his substance abuse at the time, adding, "I was still impossibly coked up when she was born, which explains everything."

Navigating Custody and a Sister's Silent Support

The actress's father also clarified the circumstances around her custody and his sister's involvement during his separation from her mother. He explained that there was never a dispute over physical custody, and he never considered himself fit to have it.

His sister did not take sides because there was no fight to take sides in, and his former partner never claimed that he was attempting to gain custody. He expressed relief at finally setting the record straight on the matter.

The actress's father also noted that his sister assisted the family financially during the separation. He recalled that arranging child support and visitation came with extremely high legal fees, which he covered as much as he could for both himself and his former partner.

His sister stepped in to help for the sake of the actress and because she was able to, something he said he was deeply grateful for.

The Child He Left Behind Was Emma Roberts

The actress at the center of this story is Emma Roberts, and her parents are Eric Roberts and Kelly Cunningham. As Eric navigated fame, fatherhood, and substance abuse, his sisters Lisa and Julia Roberts urged him to take responsibility and support both Kelly and Emma. He recalled that they were distressed by his inability to keep the small family together.

"My sisters were hoping that my having fathered a child that I loved with the woman I was with would maybe calm me down and make me more stable as a person. Unfortunately, the stability has to come first. It's not a child's job to make you stable," he acknowledged.

Eric emphasized that the situation was never about a betrayal of loyalty. He explained that his sisters supported Emma's well-being, just as he and Kelly did, but he simply could not raise her on his own.

He acknowledged that while they had a small, happy family for a time, it ultimately could not last due to the difficulties he was facing.

Eric also expressed confidence in his daughter's ability to navigate Hollywood. He noted that while he loves the industry, he didn't fully grasp how challenging it could be.

However, he believes Emma is stronger than he was at her age and better equipped to create a safe space for herself in her career.

Eric Watches with Pride as His Daughter Flourishes

Amid it all, Eric acknowledged that both Julia and Emma have surpassed him in fame. He expressed pride in their achievements and reflected that he will always be Julia's brother and Emma's father. He hopes to step aside with pride and grace while honoring those roles.

Now, Emma's popularity far surpasses that of her father. With a flourishing career in Hollywood, she has amassed over 20 million followers on Instagram, while Eric has around 60,000.

Today, Eric Roberts remains filled with pride over Emma's success. "It's so much fun! It's so much fun for me. And she's never had any training, so she's been on the job training her whole career, and it's been lovely for me to watch her become and actor, and he has. I love her work," he gushed.

Eric also expressed enthusiasm at the idea of working alongside her on screen, imagining the joy of playing her father, with his sister Julia potentially joining them as her aunt.

Fans React with Shock, Doubt, and Criticism

As Eric continues speaking up on fatherhood and his relationship with Emma now, fans have also weighed in. One fan was clearly shocked, asking, "That's her dad?!"

Another suggested he couldn't handle his daughter's achievements, "He's totally jealous of her success." Some were less patient with his revelations, insisting, "He should just stop talking." And yet another netizen expressed outright disappointment, "What a Father."

Emma Embraces Motherhood with Care and Presence

Now a parent herself, Emma is approaching parenthood differently from her father by being actively present for her son, Rhodes Robert Hedlund. She welcomed Rhodes in December 2020 with her then-partner, Garrett Hedlund, and he turned five in late 2025.

Since his birth, Emma has been careful about sharing images of her son, consistently shielding Rhodes' face from the camera. When Rhodes turned two, the movie star posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram to mark his birthday.

"Happy Birthday to my angel boy Rhodes. I love you beyond!" Emma wrote alongside a photo of the mother and son in a serene-looking living room.

In the picture, Rhodes — wearing festive holiday pajamas — stood on the couch looking out the window at the trees outside. Meanwhile, Emma relaxed beside him in a frilly green pajama set.

Emma on Balancing Motherhood with Hollywood Success

Emma has also spoken about the challenges of balancing motherhood with a demanding career. "It's really hard. I now see why moms are always so tired!" she exclaimed. The actress shared that seeing motherhood firsthand has deepened her admiration for women who manage both full-time jobs and full-time parenting.

She acknowledged the difficulty and expressed great respect for these mothers. She also noted how fortunate she feels to have her own mother's support, saying she could not manage without her help.

All in all, Emma has come a long way — from a rocky childhood marked by family separation to becoming a parent determined to be present for her child. She has done this, all while building a thriving career in the demanding and fast-paced world of Hollywood.

She also doesn't shy away from sharing soft family moments on her Instagram. The "We're the Millers" actress recently offered her followers a rare glimpse into a personal celebration she usually keeps out of the spotlight. Emma shared an Instagram carousel documenting a belated birthday trip for her son, Rhodes.

Inside the Carousel

In the caption, she wrote, "so nice we had to go twice! the best belated birthday trip for Rhodes #5 🎂 ♥️ thank you @universalorlando #universalorlandoresort #epicuniverse 🧟‍♀️🦖⭐️🌏🍦," signaling a joyful return visit to Universal Orlando Resort rather than a traditional party.

A moment shows Emma smiling warmly in white oval sunglasses and a white short-sleeve top as she sits beside Rhodes on a brightly colored amusement park ride, the two leaning close together on a curved pink seat, while other riders and vibrant park structures blur in the background.

In another moment, the scene widens to reveal a whimsical, video-game–inspired attraction filled with oversized mushrooms, layered platforms, colorful blocks, and castle-like structures, as Emma and Rhodes walk hand in hand down a staircase toward the immersive space below.

Moments That Say More Than Words

A more intimate family frame captures Garrett crouching as he holds Rhodes between himself and Emma, who leans in to kiss the child's cheek, with a sign reading "Hot Set: Production in Progress" standing just behind them in what appears to be an outdoor studio or theme park courtyard.

Another image centers entirely on Rhodes, perched atop a pink carousel animal as he grips a twisted pole and gazes off to the side, surrounded by other brightly colored figures that heighten the playful atmosphere.

The final photo shows Garrett gently guiding Rhodes toward two costumed characters dressed in red during a meet-and-greet. In contrast, another recognizable character in a striped hat stands between them, arms open in welcome as the child becomes the focus of the interaction.

Fans Zero In on One Detail

As the images circulated, fans zeroed in on Rhodes' appearance, filling the comments section with affectionate observations written in full, expressive bursts. One commenter remarked, "hes literally your twin [sic] 😭."

Another wrote, "Same eyes as mommy😍😍." A third added, "Oh my goodness, he got your eyes. So cute." One fan declared, "Wow he has your exact face ❤️."

Another blended both parents into the praise, saying, "How does he look exactly like you but also exactly like @garretthedlund 😍 Genetics are wild."

Motherhood at the Center

Although Emma is sparing with glimpses of her son, she has been candid about how deeply motherhood shapes her life. In an interview with Tatler, she said that despite her career achievements, her focus remains firmly on raising Rhodes with kindness, intelligence, and respect.

She said, "I definitely think about how I can help him be the utmost gentleman. I want him to be respectful and intelligent at school but also in life. What it means to be a man is being rewritten right now and I hope my contribution to the world can be raising an amazing boy who turns into an amazing man. I want him to feel that there's nothing he couldn't ask or tell me."

Emma also spoke openly about her long-standing desire to become a mother, her diagnosis of endometriosis, and the period of uncertainty that followed.

She noted, "I wasn't upset but I just felt the heaviness of the moment. I sat with myself and thought,' Luckily, I know older women who are great role models of the fact that you don't need children to be happy. I either would or would not be a parent. Whichever one it was, I wanted to be in radical acceptance of it."

Emma chose to freeze her eggs but ultimately conceived naturally, and now embraces motherhood fully, sharing both the joys and the challenges it brings.