Episode 144 – Runaway Trains, Fame, and Real Life With Hollywood Legend Eric Roberts – Part 2
In the thrilling conclusion of this two-part conversation, host Tony Miros continues his deep dive into the extraordinary life and career of Eric Roberts, one of Hollywood’s most enduring and versatile actors. Eric candidly opens up about his journey to sobriety—how one fateful night at a wrap party in New York introduced him to cocaine, sparking years of struggle that he ultimately overcame through the unwavering love and support of his wife. Today, he credits that love as the greatest force in his life, shaping both his personal transformation and his approach to his craft.
Reflecting on one of his most deeply personal performances in “It’s My Party,” directed by Randal Kleiser and co-starring Gregory Harrison, Eric recalls delivering a portrayal so raw and truthful it moved the entire crew. The experience, he says, was a defining moment—one that tested his emotional limits and reaffirmed his belief in the healing power of storytelling.
From “The Dark Knight” to “Inherent Vice,” Eric shares behind-the-scenes insights into working with visionary filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Paul Thomas Anderson, his admiration for Heath Ledger’s brilliance, and the heartbreak of losing him too soon. With more than 700 screen credits—including “The Expendables,” “The Righteous Gemstones,” “Babylon,” and a reunion with Brooke Shields in “The Hot Flashes”—Eric reflects on a lifetime of embracing every opportunity, big or small, and finding gratitude in every creative challenge along the way.
ERIC ROBERTS
Eric Roberts is an Academy Award nominee & 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”, “National Security”, “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.
Runaway Train Memoir Website - https://read.macmillan.com/lp/runaway-train-9781250275325/
The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/
Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST
Follow our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/
Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - http://camfrierson.com/voice
Music by QubeSounds from Pixabay
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
