Actress Emma Roberts married singer Cody John on Saturday at his family's property in Idaho, but her father, actor Eric Roberts, was notably absent from the ceremony. Sources close to the family revealed that the decision stemmed from a long-standing rift and Roberts' feeling that her father had not been a supportive parent.
According to a source speaking to the Daily Mail, Roberts "has been mad at him for many years, mostly because she feels he has not been a supportive father. He wasn't around when she was young." This sentiment is echoed by Eric Roberts himself, who admitted in an April appearance on the "Really Famous with Kara Mayer Robinson" podcast that he was "not to be depended on emotionally whatsoever" during Roberts' childhood. In his 2024 memoir, "Runaway Train," he wrote that he "abandoned" Roberts when she was seven months old, citing his inability to handle infant realities and his own weaknesses.
Eric Roberts also disclosed his past struggles with drug use in his memoir, stating that "the biggest consequence of my drug use was losing Emma." He noted that he never felt he deserved physical custody of his daughter. A source indicated that Roberts' mother, Kelly Cunningham, was primarily responsible for her upbringing, while Eric Roberts spent more time with his then-wife Eliza.
Career Trajectory and Familial Tensions
The rift deepened as Roberts' career began to flourish. After a small role in the 2001 film "Blow," her success grew with starring roles in "Aquamarine" (2006), "Nancy Drew" (2007), and the TV series "Unfabulous." According to a source, as Roberts' career gained momentum in the mid-2000s, her father's professional work decreased, leading to what the source described as Eric becoming "competitive" and his ego being "in overdrive."
While Eric Roberts has reportedly expressed regret for his past actions and offered apologies, a source stated that Roberts "turned her back on her father" over a decade ago and "has bad feelings and she won't forgive him." The source added that Eric has largely given up on reaching out, acknowledging that Roberts knows he is available if she wishes to pursue a relationship. They do not currently speak, and Eric has not seen Roberts or her five-year-old son, Rhodes.
Relationship with Aunt Julia Roberts
The wedding also highlighted the complex relationship Roberts shares with her aunt, actress Julia Roberts. A second source told the Daily Mail that Julia maintained a "no help" policy regarding her niece's career, believing it was important for individuals to succeed independently. However, their relationship has grown closer over the past 15 years, with Julia often including Emma in family events.
Despite this closer bond, Julia and Eric Roberts are reportedly not "super close," though they do communicate. Tensions between the siblings have surfaced previously, particularly when Eric discussed Julia's personal life publicly, leading to Julia reportedly telling him to stop speaking to the press. In 2018, Eric claimed that both he and Julia owed their success to him, a statement he later retracted in his 2024 memoir, apologizing to his sister and acknowledging she would have succeeded on her own.
Representatives for Emma Roberts, Eric Roberts, and Julia Roberts did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Daily Mail. Eric Roberts stated in April that he and Julia get along well and that rumors of a rift are untrue. He described her as a "wonderful actor" and "wonderful human."