Episode 143 – Runaway Trains, Fame, and Real Life With Hollywood Legend Eric Roberts – Part 1
In the first half of this two-part conversation, host Tony Miros dives deep into the extraordinary life and career of Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts—a Hollywood legend with over 700 screen credits and five decades in the business. From his early years in Atlanta to chasing his dreams in the wild world of 1970s New York City, Eric’s story is filled with unforgettable moments and colorful characters. Along the way, Eric opens up about his newly released memoir Runaway Train: Or, The Story of My Life So Far, revealing the challenges of writing honestly about his past, his family, and his journey through Hollywood’s highs and lows.
How his passion for performance began long before fame, and how his early roles in daytime soaps led to his breakout in “King of the Gypsies.” He reflects on the sudden rush of stardom and the pressures that came with it. He also opens up about the near-fatal car accident that almost ended his career, the haunting experiences that followed, and his recovery while working under the direction of the brilliant Bob Fosse on “Star 80.” The conversation captures both the vulnerability and resilience behind his performances—and the complex reality of living life in the spotlight.
From “The Pope of Greenwich Village” to “Runaway Train,” Eric reflects on the intensity, artistry, and endurance that define his legacy. He shares how his bond with co-star Jon Voight pushed him to new creative heights and how it felt to earn an Academy Award nomination so early in his career.
ERIC ROBERTS
Eric Roberts is an Academy Award nominee and three-time Golden Globe nominee, celebrated for his unforgettable performances in Runaway Train, Star 80, and King of the Gypsies. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he’s appeared in more than 700 film and television projects — making him one of the most prolific English-speaking actors in the world. His acclaimed work includes A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, It’s My Party, La Cucaracha, The Dark Knight, Inherent Vice, Lovelace, The Specialist, and The Expendables.
Born in Biloxi, Mississippi, Roberts is the son of Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts, founders of the Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop. His sisters, Julia Roberts and Lisa Roberts Gillan, also pursued acting. At 17, Eric moved to New York City to train in theater and soon began appearing on daytime television before earning his breakthrough role in King of the Gypsies (1978), which brought him his first Golden Globe nomination. His later roles in Star 80 and Runaway Train earned him further critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Roberts’ wide-ranging filmography features standout performances in The Pope of Greenwich Village, Best of the Best, Inside the Rain, and Babylon. On television, he’s been equally versatile, earning a Satellite Award for Less Than Perfect and appearing in In Cold Blood, Law & Order: SVU, Heroes, The Young and the Restless, Suits, Empire, and The Righteous Gemstones. He also made franchise history as the only non-UK actor to play the Master in Doctor Who (1996).
In 2024, Roberts joined Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Britt Stewart, and released his memoir Runaway Train: Or, The Story of My Life So Far through St. Martin’s Press, co-written with Vanity Fair contributor Sam Kashner. Still in high demand, Eric Roberts continues to captivate audiences with his signature intensity, versatility, and dedication to his craft.
Runaway Train Memoir Website - https://read.macmillan.com/lp/runaway-train-9781250275325/
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Eric Roberts
Actor / Author
Eric Roberts is an Academy Award nominee for his role in "Runaway Train" and a three-time Golden Globe nominee for "Runaway Train," "Star 80," and "King of the Gypsies."
Roberts received acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival for his role in "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints," in which he played the older version of then–newcomer Channing Tatum, and for "It’s My Party." He also starred in "La Cucaracha," which won Best Film at the Austin Film Festival, and earned him Best Actor at the New York Independent Film Festival that same year. "In Cold Blood," directed by Jonathan Kaplan and co-starring Roberts, Anthony Edwards, and Ryan Reynolds, received an Emmy nomination.
Other notable projects include Season Two of "The Righteous Gemstones" with Danny McBride, and Damien Chazelle’s "Babylon" with Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Flea. Roberts has also been celebrated for his performances in "The Dark Knight," "Final Analysis," "The Pope of Greenwich Village," "Star 80," and Paul Thomas Anderson’s "Inherent Vice."
On television, Roberts’ memorable recurring roles include USA’s "Suits"; "Grey’s Anatomy"; "CSI" and "Code Black" for CBS; NBC’s "Heroes"; "Crash" for Starz; Fox’s "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"; CBS’s "Hawaii Five-0"; HBO’s "Entourage"; and ABC’s "Less Than Perfect"—plus numerous fun, campy projects for Lif… Read More
