Actor Eric Roberts has directly addressed long-standing speculation about a rift with his Oscar-winning sister, Julia Roberts, firmly stating their relationship is strong despite typical sibling disagreements.
In a recent podcast appearance, the Runaway Train star clarified the rumors, saying, "It's not true—it never was true. We're fine. We have disagreements, as people do, but we like and respect each other very much."
Roberts went on to praise his younger sister not only for her professional achievements but also for her role as a mother. "She's a wonderful actor and a wonderful human," he noted. "She's even a wonderful mother. That's the hardest job there is." He concluded affectionately, "She's a cool chick and I like her."
While emphasizing their solid bond, Roberts acknowledged that, like most siblings, they don't always agree on minor matters. "The only issues we have are like day-to-day disagreements on whatever, but it's not a thing," he explained.
This clarification about Julia Roberts comes shortly after Eric Roberts also spoke about his relationship with his daughter, actress Emma Roberts. Describing it as "only complicated through outside eyes," he expressed pride in her accomplishments.
The actor has previously reflected on his influence on both women's careers, once telling Vanity Fair, "If it wasn't for me, there would be no Julia Roberts and no Emma Roberts, as celebrities, as actresses." However, in his 2024 memoir, Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far, he publicly apologized for the remark, calling it "an asinine thing to have said" and expressing hope for Julia's acceptance of the apology.