The Truth About Julia Roberts’ Relationship with Brother Eric Roberts
Julia Roberts and her older brother Eric Roberts share one of Hollywood’s most talked-about sibling relationships — often surrounded by rumors of a long-standing feud. The truth, however, is more nuanced: while they experienced real difficulties in the past, recent years show a relationship defined by mutual respect, distance, and quiet acceptance.
Eric, who is ten years older than Julia, was already an established actor when his younger sister rose to superstardom with Pretty Woman in 1990. Their relationship became strained in the 1990s, largely due to Eric’s well-documented struggles with cocaine addiction. During this turbulent period, Eric and his then-partner Kelly Cunningham went through a difficult custody battle over their daughter, Emma Roberts. Julia reportedly sided with Kelly, which deeply hurt Eric and contributed to years of emotional distance between the siblings.
Eric has since taken responsibility for much of the rift. In his 2024 memoir Runaway Train, he issued a public apology to Julia, acknowledging that his addiction made him “exhausting” and even “dangerous” to be around. He admitted his family likely suffered from the chaos he created during those years.
However, in April 2026, Eric directly addressed the long-running feud rumors during a podcast appearance. He firmly stated, “It’s not true — it never was true. We’re fine.” He added that while they have normal “day-to-day disagreements,” they like and respect each other very much. Eric has described Julia as a “cool lady” and “wonderful” sister, noting that they lead very different lives but maintain contact when needed.
Today, their relationship is cordial but not particularly close. The siblings rarely appear together publicly and do not frequently discuss one another in interviews — a boundary both seem to respect. Julia has always been fiercely private about her family, while Eric has learned to speak more carefully about his famous sister and daughter Emma.
Despite the past pain, both Eric and Julia have built successful careers and families. Eric remains proud of his sister’s accomplishments, and Julia has continued to focus on her own tight-knit family with Danny Moder and their three children.
The story of Julia and Eric Roberts reflects a common sibling reality: love and shared history mixed with real conflict and personal growth. While they may never have the close, everyday bond some siblings enjoy, they have reached a place of peace and respect in adulthood.
In the end, the “feud” that dominated tabloids for decades appears to have been exaggerated. What remains is a complicated but real sibling relationship built on forgiveness, distance, and quiet family loyalty.
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