Eric Roberts Shares Candid Thoughts on Julia Roberts' Steel Magnolias Performance in New Memoir

Eric Roberts has released his much-anticipated memoir, Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far. In the book, the veteran actor opens up about his career's highs and lows, his battles with addiction, and his complicated relationship with his daughter, actress Emma Roberts. He also offers his take on his sister Julia Roberts' career, specifically her role in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Eric Roberts acknowledges Julia’s talent in earlier films like Mystic Pizza and Pretty Woman but says her performance in Steel Magnolias didn’t stand out to him, despite earning her an Academy Award nomination. In his memoir, Eric admits that while he doesn't want to come off as a critical actor or a jealous brother, he felt her performance wasn't as strong. He shared that, at the time, he thought Julia was on her way to becoming a great actress but hadn't fully reached that potential in Steel Magnolias.

Eric also criticized the other women in the movie, including Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Shirley MacLaine, and Daryl Hannah, suggesting that they all "overacted" and "chewed a lot of scenery." He added that crying in movies tends to boost an actor's status, often leading to Oscar nominations.

However, Eric noted that Julia’s authentic Southern background likely helped her receive positive reviews for her role. He believes her natural charm as a small-town Southern girl suited her character from Louisiana, which might have contributed to her Golden Globe win and her Oscar nod.

Julia Roberts portrayed Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie in Steel Magnolias, and while the film remains a classic, Eric’s candid remarks provide a new perspective on his sister's early career. The movie is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.