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Julia Roberts’ brother Eric Roberts’ complicated health journey: from drug addiction to comatose car accident
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Julia Roberts’ brother Eric Roberts’ complicated health journey: from drug addiction to comatose car accident

Eric Roberts His health journey has been a bit tumultuous, but he is prioritizing his fitness for his appearance on Dancing with the Stars.

The actor, best known for his over 700 acting roles and the older brother of Julia Roberts, is taking part in the latest season of the long-running ABC dance competition, the 33rd, and is paired with a dance professional Britt Stewart.

Now 68 years old DWTS His appearance comes just over 40 years after a serious car accident in which he suffered multiple facial and neurological injuries, not to mention a three-day coma that only worsened his drug addiction.

Here’s what he said about it all.

Recalling how prevalent cocaine was during his rise in Hollywood in the 1970s and 1980s, he previously told Vanity Fair: “You arrived (on set) in the morning and they sent you to the prop truck where you were .” “That would be bowls full of cocaine.”

He added: “Everyone from senior executives to tradesmen have taken cocaine. I consumed it to the point where my wife said, ‘It’s either me or the Coke’.”

Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart on Dancing with the Stars, Season 33, 2024© Getty
Eric and Britt at the DWTS season premiere

In 1992, Eric married Eliza Robertsa year after a bitter custody battle with ex Kelly Cunningham over her then-year-old daughter Emma Roberts.

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“I took all the psychotropic medications. I was arrested (in 1987 for drug and cocaine possession and resisting arrest). Sobriety,” he further shared.

Eric Roberts and Eliza Roberts can be seen in the "Dancing with the stars" Rehearsal studios on September 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California© Getty
The actor goes to rehearsals with his wife Eliza

When he welcomed Emma in 1991 and was still struggling with his drug addiction, it had been ten years since his car accident because he was driving high on cocaine. He further recalled to VF: “I was in a coma. My speech was very (expletive). I had to learn to walk and talk again. It was really hard.”

MORE: Julia Roberts’ brother Eric Roberts publicly apologizes to her after controversial comments

Eric Roberts, actress Julia Roberts and her sister Lisa Roberts attend the © Getty
With his two sisters in 1985, four years after the car accident

Of course, drug addiction complicated his relationship with his sister Julia, from whom he was estranged for about a decade until their twins Hazel and Phinnaeus were born in 2004.

MORE: Julia Roberts’ famous brother reveals why he “can’t talk about her” or his daughter Emma

Eric Roberts, daughter Emma and wife Eliza during "Snow White – An enchanting new musical" Premiere - Arrivals at the Fantasyland Theater at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, USA.© Getty Images
Eric also has a complicated relationship with his daughter Emma, ​​whom he last had custody of when she was one year old

The memoir he published earlier this year states: Runaway Train: Or the story of my life so far, He wrote: “I wouldn’t be surprised if they suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder since it was dangerous to be around me,” referring to Julia and her other sister, Lisa Roberts.

He emphasized: “Lisa and Julia needed love and protection – instead they became afraid and insecure.”

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