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Reporting does not establish that Julia Roberts tried to take Emma Roberts away from her father. It says Julia supported Emma’s mother, Kelly Cunningham, during a custody dispute with Eric Roberts. Eric later said his cocaine addiction was out of control at the time and that Julia was right to support Cunningham.
What the custody dispute was about
Emma Roberts was born in 1991 to actor Eric Roberts and Kelly Cunningham. The couple separated while Emma was a baby, and reports say Cunningham retained custody. The dispute was between Emma’s parents; the available accounts describe Julia Roberts as supporting Cunningham, not seeking custody of Emma herself.
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Why Eric Roberts said he lost custody
Eric Roberts has attributed the loss of custody to his drug use. In his memoir, Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far, he wrote: “Of course, the biggest consequence of my drug use was losing Emma.” EL PAÍS quoted that passage in its September 2024 coverage of the memoir. The Independent also reported in September 2024 that Roberts later described his cocaine addiction as out of control during the custody dispute.
What Julia Roberts’ role is reported to have been
Coverage says Julia supported Cunningham during the custody case. Eric later accepted that support, saying his addiction was out of control and that Julia’s decision was right. But the reporting does not establish that Julia filed for custody, initiated a legal action, or personally determined the outcome. EL PAÍS noted that Roberts did not detail her role in the proceedings.
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Eric’s account is retrospective, not a court record. His memoir also reflects on his lasting family relationships: “I imagine I will remain as Julia’s brother and Emma Roberts’ dad for the rest of my life.” The Independent quoted him describing his wish to step aside “proudly and with grace” as part of his reason for writing the book.
What remains unverified
The reports reviewed do not provide the case date or jurisdiction, reproduce court documents, or describe the court’s findings. They also do not establish the precise legal role Julia played. A Vanity Fair retrospective published August 7, 2026, revisited the family history, but its account likewise should not be treated as a substitute for the underlying case file.
The clearest supported account is therefore limited: Eric Roberts said his drug use led to losing custody; reports say Julia supported Cunningham; and Eric later said he believed Julia was right. The claim that Julia tried to take Emma away from her father goes beyond what these accounts establish.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Further reading
Readers who want Eric Roberts’ own retrospective account can consult his memoir, Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far. It is his perspective on the family history, not independent documentation of the custody proceedings.
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