Eric Roberts admits to being saddened by 'loss of relationship' with daughter Emma Roberts

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Eric Roberts recently opened up about his complex relationship with his daughter, actress Emma Roberts, during a candid conversation on the 'Inside of You' podcast.

The 68-year-old actor shared the emotional weight of their estrangement, expressing that while there's no active pain, there remains a lasting sadness.

The 'sadness' and 'misunderstandings' behind Eric and Emma Roberts' relationship

“There’s not a pain, there’s a sadness for the, most likely, misunderstandings we’ll all have forever. Because we’re human,” Roberts reflected during the interview.

When asked about the "toughest time" in his life, Roberts readily pointed to the "loss of relationship" with Emma, who is now 33, as per Page Six.

Roberts welcomed Emma in 1991 with ex-Kelly Cunningham.

This emotional rift between father and daughter has lasted for years, and Roberts discussed it in his memoir, 'Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far', released on September 17.

Discussing his memoir, Roberts was asked whether their strained relationship played a significant role in the book. “It should be,” he responded. “The problem is it’s indefinable — so I’ll let you be the judge of that.”

While recognizing the challenge of defining their relationship, Roberts explored the complex emotions associated with it.

Interestingly, becoming a grandparent changed Roberts' outlook on his relationship with Emma.

He credited his grandchildren, particularly his 5-year-old granddaughter, with helping him come to terms with his feelings.

“I started accepting that about myself with the birth of my grandchildren,” he shared, adding that his eldest granddaughter, who bears a striking resemblance to Emma, reminds him of “what I didn’t have.”

Eric Roberts' drug addiction affected his relationship with Emma Roberts

Eric Roberts' relationship with Emma Roberts was deeply affected by his struggles with drug addiction and a custody battle.

Eric's cocaine addiction during Emma's formative years resulted in his absence as a father, a situation he later described as the "biggest consequence" of his substance abuse.

Following his separation from Emma's mother, Kelly Cunningham, a custody battle unfolded, with Kelly ultimately being granted custody.

Eric's sister, Julia Roberts, supported Kelly in the legal fight, further straining the sibling relationship.

In a 2018 Vanity Fair interview, Eric took credit for his family's Hollywood success, a claim that added tension to his relationship with Julia.

He later apologized for this in his memoir, acknowledging the damage caused by his addiction and behavior.

Over the years, Eric worked towards reconciliation with both Emma and Julia, holding onto hope for their forgiveness.

Reflecting on his past, Eric has come to terms with the "sadness" of losing Emma and has developed a newfound sense of self-acceptance.

Despite the challenges, Eric continues to work on rebuilding family ties and moving forward from the struggles that defined much of his earlier life. 

Eric Roberts reflects on the emotional challenge of writing about family in his memoir

Eric Roberts is a grandfather through his stepchildren, while his daughter Emma Roberts shares a 3-year-old son, Rhodes Robert Hedlund, with her ex-partner, Garrett Hedlund.

Seeing his granddaughter's resemblance to Emma has evoked deep reflections for Eric Roberts, prompting him to admit that this chapter in his memoir is "the most personally painful."

He admitted, “To write it at all was the hardest thing to write. That book was hard to write and I didn’t want to write it.”

Roberts credited his wife, Eliza Roberts, for motivating him to push through when the writing process became overwhelming.

“My wife said, ‘It’s hard ’cause you’re staying honest,’ and I let that be my fuel,” he explained, expressing gratitude for her unwavering support.

Despite their complicated relationship, Roberts has often praised Emma and her accomplishments.

In February, Roberts expressed his pride in Emma during an interview with Page Six, saying he's proud of her "every day." He also praised her performance in the 2023 rom-com 'Maybe I Do', calling it one of his favorites.

Last year, in February 2023, Roberts also posted a heartwarming birthday tribute to Emma on Instagram, sharing a throwback father-daughter photo.

“I knew she’d grow up to be all that and more. One of the rare things I was right about. I love you, Emma,” Roberts wrote, reflecting his enduring love for his daughter, despite the challenges in their relationship.