Inside Eric Roberts' 'Complicated' Relationship With Daughter Emma, 'I Take Full Responsibility'
Eric Roberts addressed missing daughter Emma Roberts' wedding to Cody John and previously reflected on their relationship, admitting he was responsible for the struggles that shaped their bond.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleEmma Roberts recently tied the knot with her longtime partner, Cody John, in a picturesque ceremony in Sun Valley, Idaho. The intimate ceremony, held on July 25, 2026, marked a memorable reunion moment for the Roberts family, but the absence of Emma's father, Eric Roberts, didn't go unnoticed.
While the Dark Knight actor later confirmed he did not attend the wedding, he also reiterated that his love for his daughter has never changed. Regardless, his absence has once again put their relationship in the spotlight, one that Eric himself has described as being misunderstood by outsiders.
Eric Roberts called losing custody of Emma the biggest consequence of his addiction
Despite years of speculation that the two share an estranged relationship, Eric has insisted that things aren't as simple as they appear, nor are they as complicated. The actor welcomed Emma with his ex, Kelly Cunningham, during a time when he was spiraling due to addiction battle.
During an appearance on the Really Famous with Kara Mayer Robinson podcast earlier this year, Eric pushed back against the narrative surrounding his bond with Emma, adding that people often make assumptions about their relationship without knowing what happens behind closed doors. "It's not a straight line," he admitted, adding that family relationships are rarely straightforward. The actor said:
"It’s only complicated through outside eyes because they don’t get any of it, so they have their own take, whatever that is... they're not really involved."
Eric has openly accepted responsibility for the difficulties that shaped Emma's childhood. Emma was born in 1991 to Eric and his then-partner Kelly Cunningham, but the actor eventually lost custody of his daughter due to his ongoing battle with drug addiction and depression.
Looking back on that period, Eric didn't shy away from acknowledging his failures. He admitted that he was a "car wreck" in the relationship and his lack of involvement in parenting had a lot to do with the split. The actor explained, "I was not to be depended on emotionally whatsoever because I was a car wreck. I was a car wreck because of many things, but I take full responsibility for it."
When Eric released his memoir Runaway Train: Or, The Story of My Life So Far in 2024, he reflected on the heartbreak of losing custody of Emma. He described it as the greatest consequence of his addiction and, notably, the hardest chapter of his life.
In 2024, speaking on the Inside of You With Michael Rosenbaum podcast, the actor reflected on the emotional toll their fractured relationship has taken over the years. "I loved my little daughter with the strength of Hercules, despite my own weaknesses. However, I couldn’t handle the realities of an infant coming into my life, and I couldn’t handle being a parent!"
Despite the distance that has existed between them, Eric has never hidden how proud he is of Emma's acting career. "I'm in love with my daughter's work these days," he said during a 2024 interview. He has frequently praised Emma's performances in projects like American Horror Story and We're the Millers, insisting he takes no credit for her success beyond sharing the Roberts surname.
Meanwhile, Emma has largely kept her relationship with her father private over the years, instead frequently expressing gratitude for her mother, Kelly Cunningham, whom she has described as her biggest source of support, especially after becoming a mother herself.
What Eric Roberts has said about missing Emma Roberts' wedding to Cody John
Days after Emma married Cody John, Eric addressed speculation surrounding his absence from the celebration. Speaking to Page Six, the veteran star said, "I love my daughter, always have, always will. It is perfectly wonderful for her to celebrate however she wants, with whomever she wants."
Although Eric wasn't present, Emma's aunt, Julia Roberts, along with her husband, Danny Moder, attended the ceremony. Emma's five-year-old son, Rhodes, whom she shares with her ex, Garrett Hedlund, also played a special role in the celebration.
Despite their history, Eric Roberts is extremely proud of his daughter. In his own words, "I’m so proud of my daughter. I’m so proud of my kid...She’s fabulous."
Picture courtesy: Emma Roberts/Instagram, X photos
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