Eric Roberts has no use for fame anymore. He just wants to work

As I delved into the captivating tale of Eric Roberts, I found myself awestruck by the tumultuous rollercoaster that his life has been. From his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise in Hollywood, it’s a story as complex and intriguing as one of his characters on screen.

In simpler terms, the entertainment industry finds itself in a severe predicament, with reduced content creation and fewer employment opportunities available. However, Eric Roberts recognized this situation long before many others did, even before streaming shows became a point of pride. As he puts it, “Now they don’t give you time to rehearse and they pay less.” Roberts, famous for his electrifying movies, explains that the days of waiting for a big paycheck are over.

According to Roberts’ recently published memoir, “Runaway Train: Or, the Story of My Life So Far”, he adapted quickly to this new way of life long before many others were struggling for limited job opportunities. Roberts himself acknowledges the strain, which is why he eagerly accepts every opportunity that comes his way. In his book, he shares that even some actors from “Titanic” struggle to pay their rent.

Instead of seeking fame, Roberts solely focuses on his work now; he just desires to keep busy. In the book penned by him along with journalist and novelist Sam Kashner, he proudly displays having over 750 credits on IMDb. By the time of this August interview, that number had climbed close to 850. “I’m primarily an actor,” he states. “Everything else comes afterwards.

Among a group of New York theater actors who moved to film during the 1970s, Roberts gained widespread recognition in Bob Fosse’s 1983 biopic “Star 80” as Paul Snider, the violent spouse of Playboy model Dorothy Stratten (played by Mariel Hemingway). Roberts immersed himself completely in his character, a cunning con artist whose deep-rooted self-loathing evolved into murderous fury.

After securing several notable roles, including that of fugitive Buck McGeehy in Andrei Konchalovsky’s 1985 action-thriller “Runaway Train”, for which he received an Oscar nomination, the actor found himself appearing on talk shows and gracing tabloid covers. Feeling successful and confident, Roberts splurged on a penthouse apartment in Manhattan’s Upper East Side and a house in Greenwich, Connecticut. However, his newfound wealth led him to develop a cocaine habit. Eventually, he would lose both the apartment and the house due to his addiction, with his drug problem persisting.

Contrary to some assumptions, “Runaway Train” – the book – is not a tearful confession meant to atone for past mistakes, nor a desperate attempt by Roberts to revitalize his career in Hollywood. He acknowledges his own poor decisions and their impact on his relationships with friends and family, especially his sister Julia Roberts, with whom he maintains a complex relationship that they have agreed not to discuss each other’s professional endeavors. However, the annals of Hollywood are filled with individuals who have succeeded despite their vices, and for a time, Roberts navigated this precarious path.

According to Roberts’ account in the book, his downfall happened gradually at first, then suddenly. He repeatedly turned losses into victories on various occasions, squandering acting opportunities with directors like Quentin Tarantino and Oliver Stone, among others. “I was under the influence when I attended my audition with Ron Howard,” Roberts admitted.

Roberts’ father, Walter, a screenwriter during the golden age of radio drama who later established his own theater in Atlanta, was instrumental in shaping Roberts’ knowledge about self-immolation, a skill set that some might describe as unstable. Raised in this environment, Roberts was the product of a man who was both bitter and arrogant in his pursuits. He nurtured his son’s acting talent but would harshly criticize him for it, creating confusion and resentment within Roberts.

Robert’s dad was a petty con artist and once wanted him to join in a pharmacy robbery for urgent funds. Frequently at night, Robert’s mom would physically punish him with a rod. However, life became easier for Robert when his parents separated. Walter gained custody of Robert while Julia and Lisa lived with their mother. Despite this, Walter often made Robert feel small. “My father taught me many things about acting professionally,” says Robert, “but he constantly belittled me. As a child, it was tough to handle such a father. It was hard to comprehend.

Despite managing to gather funds to relocate to New York, Roberts’ father persistently bombarded him with a constant flow of letters that ranged from criticizing his mediocre performance, praising his talent, requesting money, and accusing him of desertion. “I was still receiving thousands of letters,” Roberts recalls. “I kept them. It was madness! Eventually, I understood that one should appreciate people for who they are, but not allow them to trample upon you. Even when it was heartfelt and affectionate, it felt out of place and cruel.

Despite being influenced by letters, Roberts persisted and managed to secure his first TV job in 1977 on the soap opera “Another World”. His captivating, intense gaze attracted the notice of Joe Papp, a significant figure in New York theater, who then cast Roberts in a Public Theater production of the Civil War play “Rebel Women”. With this role, he earned his Actors’ Equity card and soon after landed his first film part as Dave Stepanowicz, a member of a New York crime family’s scion, in the 1978 movie “King of the Gypsies”.

Even as Roberts managed to win over a larger fanbase, he frequently frustrated directors by maintaining his character around-the-clock. In his own words, “I’d lash out at people for no apparent reason, isolate myself in my trailer, and pound the door from within.” During the filming of “Star 80,” Roberts became so immersed in his role that it began to endanger the entire production and leave Fosse seething with anger.

Subsequently, it became challenging to shed the “troublesome performer” tag, considering his overtly erratic behavior that seemed so authentic in his movie roles. Unfortunately, Roberts’ struggle with drug addiction didn’t aid his situation. He confessed, “Cocaine was ubiquitous,” he said. “Even on a film set, you’d find a large bowl of cocaine in the prop truck. How could I focus on my work?

In a unique blend of reality and artistry, Roberts seemed to employ Stanislavski’s method in an unusual manner, drawing on bizarre scenarios from his movies to fuel his personal life experiences. His stepson Keaton, who grew up under Roberts’ care, chose to leave home during his teenage years, disturbed by Roberts’ erratic and frequently aggressive behavior. In 1995, Roberts was apprehended for pushing his wife Eliza against a wall.

Suffice to say, he didn’t walk into rehab; a court order got him there, for 18 months.

Upon his emergence, somewhat relieved of his self-loathing, Eliza was there to meet him. She helped him stand up, shook off the dust from him and guided him towards a life where he channeled his compulsive urges into steady employment. She is Roberts’ supervisor and advisor, and their partnership has proven beneficial. This year alone, Roberts has appeared in 73 productions – a western miniseries, several low-budget sci-fi movies, and something titled “My Redneck Neighbor: Chapter 1 — The Rednecks Are Approaching.” He’s also a contestant on the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars,” airing on Tuesday.

Keaton returned after being away. Known for his work as a singer-songwriter, TV, and film composer, he has collaborated with Roberts. Regarding Emma, Roberts’ daughter from her previous relationship with Kelly Cunningham, Roberts describes their bond as “amicable and supportive, but not particularly close,” given that they don’t interact frequently.

Despite numerous attempts to derail his life and career, Roberts acknowledges the possibility of a different outcome. In his own words, “I’m not really sure how things have turned out for me,” he admits. “If it weren’t for my wife, I might not be here today. It may sound overly dramatic, but it’s the truth.

On September 25th at 7:00 PM, Eric Roberts will be available for autographing his memoir titled “Runaway Train” at Barnes & Noble located in The Grove, Los Angeles.

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2024-09-17 13:34