In Runaway Train: Or, the Story of My Life So Far, Eric Roberts traces a life shaped by a controlling childhood, early acting success, cocaine addiction, career setbacks and recovery. The memoir also addresses his complicated family relationships, including those with Julia Roberts and daughter Emma Roberts, and the role his wife, Eliza Roberts, played in helping him confront his addiction.
What Eric Roberts reveals in Runaway Train
Co-written with Sam Kashner, Runaway Train is Roberts’s account of his life and career, from growing up in Georgia to pursuing acting in New York at 17 and becoming known for films such as King of the Gypsies, Star 80 and Runaway Train. St. Martin’s Press describes the memoir as candid about the highs and lows of his career and the personal crises that affected it.
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A January 2025 profile characterized the book’s disclosures as including abuse Roberts suffered at his father’s hands. That is a reported description of the memoir, not an independently adjudicated finding. The book’s account links his childhood environment with later struggles, but it should be read as Roberts’s personal story rather than as a general account of abuse or addiction.
How addiction and recovery shaped his career story
Roberts writes about severe cocaine addiction and a car accident that nearly cost him his life. The publisher’s description connects his addiction to damage in his acting career and presents recovery as a central part of the memoir. His wife, Eliza, is part of that account: Roberts describes how she helped him confront his demons.
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A March 2026 LifeMinute interview also frames his story around fame, addiction and the personal journey of rebuilding his life and career. The available descriptions establish the book’s focus, but do not provide a basis for claims about a recovery success rate or other broader statistics.
Why family relationships are part of the memoir
The memoir addresses Roberts’s complicated relationships with his sister Julia Roberts and his daughter, actor Emma Roberts. These family ties are part of the book’s personal frame alongside his marriage to Eliza; they are not separate from its account of fame, addiction and recovery.
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Print and audiobook editions
| Edition | Format and details | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| 288 pages; ISBN 9781250275332. Published September 17, 2024. | Readers who prefer to read at their own pace. | |
| Audiobook | Read by Eric Roberts; ISBN 9781250353665. | Listeners who want Roberts’s own voice narrating his life story. |
St. Martin’s Press lists retailer links for both editions. Check the linked retailers for current stock, format and availability in your region.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Publication details
- Title: Runaway Train: Or, the Story of My Life So Far
- Author: Eric Roberts, with Sam Kashner
- Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
- Publication date: September 17, 2024
The publisher reproduces endorsements from David Duchovny, who calls it “A one of a kind memoir from a one of a kind actor,” and Christopher Walken, who describes it as “Compelling to read—candid, brave and full of Eric’s natural grace and good nature.”
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