Julia Roberts' Family Life: A Closer Look At Her Siblings And Their Stories

Let’s talk about Julia Roberts, the queen of Hollywood, and her amazing family. Beyond her dazzling career, Julia is a devoted mom to her three kids—Hazel, Henry, and Phinnaeus—and a loving wife to her husband, Danny Moder. But there's so much more to her family life. Julia also shares a special bond with her siblings—her brother Eric Roberts and sister Lisa Roberts Gillan. And, of course, we can’t forget her late half-sister, Nancy Motes, whose memory continues to inspire those who knew her. Join me as we dive into the incredible stories of Julia's family, filled with love, challenges, and triumphs.

Julia's family has faced its fair share of heartbreak. In 2014, the world lost Nancy Motes, Julia's half-sister, to an apparent drug overdose at just 37 years old. Speaking about the devastating loss two months later, Julia opened up to the Wall Street Journal, calling it "just heartbreak." She expressed how painful it was to witness such tragedy and reminded us all of the importance of finding strength in family during times of despair. "You don’t want anything bad to happen to anyone, but there are so many tragic, painful, inexplicable things in the world," she said. "But [as with] any situation of challenge and despair, we must find a way, as a family, to move forward."

Eric Roberts: The Oldest Sibling

Eric Roberts, born on April 18, 1956, is the eldest sibling in the family. He shares a unique bond with Julia, Lisa, and Nancy, having been raised by their parents, Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts, until their parents' divorce in 1972 after 17 years of marriage. Eric has had his share of struggles, including a long battle with drug abuse, but he's also carved out an impressive career in acting. According to IMDb, Eric boasts over 700 acting credits, including iconic roles in movies like Best of the Best, The Dark Knight, The Specialist, and The Expendables.

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Eric’s legacy extends beyond his own career; he’s also the proud father of actress Emma Roberts, whom he shares with his ex, Kelly Cunningham. Emma has followed in her dad’s footsteps, earning her place in Hollywood with roles in Scream Queens, American Horror Story, and We’re the Millers. Despite never marrying Emma’s mom, Eric found love with his wife, Eliza Roberts, whom he married in 1992. Together, they’ve raised her two children from a previous relationship, making Eric a devoted stepdad.

When it comes to his relationship with Julia, Eric can’t hide his pride. In a 2019 interview with Closer, he confessed, “I can’t see straight. I’m also very proud of the fact that I gave the world the person that grew up to play Pretty Woman. Even I watch the movie once a year, just to feel good. It’s such fun.” In September 2024, Eric joined the cast of Dancing With the Stars with partner Britt Stewart, proving that he’s still got moves.

Eric Roberts Becomes a Grandfather

Eric’s family grew even bigger in December 2020 when his daughter, Emma, welcomed her first child, Rhodes Robert Hedlund, with actor Garrett Hedlund. Eric couldn’t be prouder of his daughter and her blossoming career. Speaking to Us Weekly in May 2020, Eric shared, “They look so much alike that I love the pictures of them when they’re side-by-side. It’s really cool to look at them. I love seeing them together.”

However, during an episode of the “Still Here Hollywood” podcast in July 2024, Eric made headlines with a surprising confession about Julia. “I love my sister, but I can’t talk about her,” he told host Steve Kmetko. “She don’t want to talk about it.” Eric admitted that Emma had warned him not to discuss her or Julia publicly, but he sometimes slips up. “I’m in love with my daughter’s work these days,” he added. “I can’t believe how great she’s become. … I’m so proud of her I can’t see straight.”

Eric Roberts Apologizes to Julia Roberts

In his memoir, Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far, Eric took the time to apologize to Julia for past comments he made about her career. Writing in an excerpt released by Entertainment Weekly in September 2024, Eric admitted, “Now one of the things I’d like to apologize for in this book is for publicly saying on more than one occasion, ‘If it wasn't for me, there would be no Julia Roberts.’ That’s not only unfortunate, but it’s also untrue. And I hope Julie will accept this more public apology. It was an asinine thing to have said.”

Eric went on to explain how he inspired Julia to pursue her dreams in New York City. “I was born to do this. I moved to New York City when I wasn’t even old enough to drink a beer in public,” he recalled. “If Julie had stayed in Atlanta, she’d probably have married a wealthy dude and lived a very different life. So I will take credit for telling my sisters, ‘Come on up, girls; the water’s fine.’ That’s 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.”

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Eric acknowledged Julia’s drive and determination, believing someone would have discovered her talent in a city like New York regardless of his influence.

Lisa Roberts Gillan: The Middle Sister