Runaway Train

Or, the Story of My Life So Far

By: Eric Roberts, Sam Kashner - contributor

Narrated by: Eric Roberts

Long-listed, Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year, 2024

This program is read by the author, Golden Globe–winning actor Eric Roberts.

In this brutally candid memoir, Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Eric Roberts pulls no punches about the ups and downs of his career and his sometimes stormy relationship with his famous sister, Julia.

Eric Roberts grew up in Georgia, spending most of his teens away from his mother and sisters, Lisa and Julia. Instead, he stayed with his controlling father, a grifter jealous of his early success. At age 17, Eric moved to New York to pursue acting, where he worked and partied with future legends like Christopher Walken, Mickey Rourke, John Malkovich, Bruce Willis, and Robin Williams.

His big break came when he was cast in King of the Gypsies. Eric became one of the hottest stars of his era, starting an affair with actress Sandy Dennis, working with Bob Fosse on the critically acclaimed Star 80, and earning an Oscar nomination for Runaway Train. But for Eric, Hollywood came with a dark side—an ocean of cocaine that nearly swept him away, culminating in a car accident that almost cost him his life.

Eric is open about the seriousness of his addictions and their devastating effect on his career. He reveals the reasons behind his complicated relationship with his sister, Julia, and his daughter, Emma, a successful actress in her own right. Now, happily married to actress and casting director Eliza Roberts, who helped him confront his demons, he is revered among his peers as the ultimate actor’s actor.

Written with New York Times bestselling author, for years a Vanity Fair contributing editor, and current Air Mail writer-at-large Sam Kashner, this is a powerful memoir of a Hollywood legend.

Music for this program is courtesy of Keaton Simons.

Track list in program order;

1 - Other Side
2 - Read My Mind
3 - Father Song
4 - Masterpiece
5 - It’s Ok
6 - Tribal Blues
7 - Green Monster
8 - Lemonaid
9 - Just This Side Of Insane
10 - Beautiful Pain
11 - The Medicine
12 - Currently
13 - Therapy
14 - Hero & Hell
15 - Still Holding On
16 - To Me
17 - Yet

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2024 Eric Roberts (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"A one of a kind memoir from a one of a kind actor."—David Duchovny, New York Times bestselling author of Truly Like Lightning

"Compelling to read—candid, brave and full of Eric's natural grace and good nature."—Christopher Walken, Academy Award-Winning Actor

Great book!!!!

I've always loved Eric Roberts. I admire how honest he was about his struggles with family and addiction. I'll listen to it a 2nd time, he voice is familiar and soothing. Thank you Eric for sharing your life.

Touching stories

I love the way he spoke of his wife Eliza. He spoke very lovingly about his family even though it sounds like he was mistreated by those he loved the most.

Run away train

Very good. I have always like Eric Roberts. A nice love story. Honest and true

He was a great narrator!!!

I loved the book!! He has a great voice! I really enjoyed the time spent listening and his story!

This is a hard one to review.

The overall story was very interesting and intriguing. But I wish I hadn’t read it. His honesty around his upbringing, even to the dismay of his family, was very brave. The hardest part for me though was his mistreatment of his wife. There’s a level of narcissism there, in one particular story that says it all. It was a performance where she was the one in the spotlight, with him either a secondary character or just hanging around, and rather than supporting her, he was humiliating her by hitting on a woman who was part of the production staff. He could’ve had indiscretions, as he had had several in a quieter way, but this was purposeful. He expresses an apology in an ‘oops’ way, but he never really gets down to the fact that he was so insecure that he had to ruin her moment. Towards the end he speaks directly to wondering why she stayed. But it falls flat. I just wonder what the life of that lovely woman could’ve been.

Bold and Heartfelt

The narration is outstanding and a joy to listen to. It was fascinating to hear the tale of the author’s southern start in life. His movies have been an echo in my life and his ups and downs helped me see my own times a little more clearly. I love cats too and think cat men are the best ones.

Pain and making the most of it the best way you can.

Eric Roberts, more influential than you know. Perceived as the shadow of bright light that is his sister and his daughter, he's just a man trying to figure it out, a real life tale of when the abused becomes the abuser and no one believes him, that's a different type of torture that only a few like to admit to know... He's working class, doing what he can to get by, and with his lovely wife by his side, he's able to share with you an insight to life in the shadows of fame.

The REAL Eric Roberts

It was nice to get to know the real Eric. Congratulations on getting sober, I wish my son would. He will always have my support regardless, and I’m not talking enabling.

I hope your sisters forgive your past, as long as you treat them with endless love in their present. Xo

family lost and gained

honestly sincerly insightful
happily made it through to the other side of a life having learned from it all

A good crazy read!

His reference to his wife constantly. A little overdone. I hate how his family hasn’t taken him back. You can feel the hurt in his words and in several situations.