Eric Roberts Apologizes To Sister Julia Roberts For Making 'Untrue' Claim About Her

Heres hoping Pretty Woman isnt a petty woman.

Eric Roberts is publicly apologizing for a bold claim he previously made about his sister and fellow actor Julia Roberts , as noted by multiple media reports this week.

Years ago, the Runaway Train star had taken credit for the successful Hollywood careers of not only his sibling, but also his daughter, Emma Roberts .

If it wasnt for me, there would be no Julia Roberts and no Emma Roberts as celebrities, as actresses, and Im very proud of that, Eric Roberts said in a 2018 story in Vanity Fair . When Julia first came to New York, I went into [talent agency] William Morris and I said, Which one of you is going to sign my sister Julia?

He added: And I am so proud that everybody knows I was first, because I was first by a long shot. I was first to get Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations.

It seems the character actor has since had a change of heart, as he decided to say sorry to his Oscar-winner sister whom he calls Julie  in his new memoir, Runaway Train: Or, the Story of My Life So Far.

Now one of the things Id like to apologize for in this book is for publicly saying on more than one occasion, If it wasnt for me, there would be no Julia Roberts, Eric Roberts wrote. Thats not only unfortunate, but its also untrue. And I hope Julie will accept this more public apology. It was an asinine thing to have said. I was proud of her, but it was pride turned on its head, to my own advantage.

He also called her a very driven woman, and said that Someone would have plucked her out of the crowd in a place like New York without my help.

But the Dancing With the Stars contestant still took some credit for his sisters career, suggesting that she decided to pursue show business after he had already become a successful actor.

If Julie had stayed in Atlanta, shed probably have married a wealthy dude and lived a very different life, Eric Roberts wrote, referencing her Georgia roots. So I will take credit, once I had moved to New York City, for telling my sisters, Come on up, girls; the waters fine. Thats when, it seems to me, she saw my life as a young actor in New York, and saw what I was doing for my livelihood, and she wanted to try it.

As for Emma Roberts, Eric Roberts recently gushed about the American Horror Story actor during an interview with the Still Here Hollywood podcast.

I am in love with my daughters work these days, Eric Roberts said  earlier this year.

I cant believe how great shes become. Im so proud of her I cant see straight. Since her performance in [the 2023 film] Maybe I Do until right now, she overwhelms me with pride and just Oh, my God, here she goes again. And Im just so happy to be her dad because shes kicking ass.