Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far By Eric Roberts

In his brutally candid memoir, Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Eric Roberts lays bare the highs and lows of his Hollywood career and personal life, including his tumultuous relationship with his famous sister, Julia Roberts. Growing up in Georgia, Eric spent his teenage years away from his mother and sisters, living with his controlling father, a grifter envious of Eric's early acting success. At 17, he moved to New York to pursue acting, mingling with future stars like Christopher Walken and Robin Williams. His big break came with King of the Gypsies, catapulting him to stardom. He earned critical acclaim for Star 80 and an Oscar nomination for Runaway Train, while also spiraling into Hollywood’s dark side—a world awash with cocaine. A near-fatal car accident marked the low point of his addiction.

Eric details the destructive impact his substance abuse had on his career and personal relationships, especially with Julia and his daughter, actress Emma Roberts. He also explores the complexities of fame, addiction, and his ongoing recovery. Happily married to actress and casting director Eliza Roberts, who helped him confront his demons, Eric is now regarded by his peers as a versatile and deeply respected actor. Co-written with Sam Kashner, a New York Times bestselling author and longtime Vanity Fair contributor, this memoir offers an unflinching look at the highs and lows of a Hollywood life, filled with raw honesty about fame, addiction, and redemption.