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” throu