Hollywood sibling rivalries are nothing new, but Eric Roberts has reignited speculation about his relationship with his superstar sister, Julia Roberts, with his latest comments on her performance in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias. In a candid critique, Eric openly questioned the praise Julia received for her role in the beloved Southern drama, while denying that his remarks are rooted in jealousy.
In his newly released memoir, Runaway Train: Or, The Story of My Life So Far, Eric reflects on Julia’s rise to fame and offers an unfiltered take on her breakout performances. While he praised her work in films like Mystic Pizza and Pretty Woman, he had a different view of her performance in Steel Magnolias, a film that earned Julia her first Oscar nomination.
“Julia was good in Mystic Pizza, great in Pretty Woman, but not so much in Steel Magnolias,” Eric wrote in his book, as cited by Entertainment Weekly and The Independent.
Eric, an Oscar nominee himself, was quick to shut down any notions of sibling envy, emphasizing that his comments were purely artistic. “I’m not jealous of her success,” he said in interviews, reinforcing the idea that his critique was based on his professional opinion rather than personal grudges.
The criticism didn’t stop with Julia. Eric also expressed dissatisfaction with the performances of the film’s all-star cast, which included Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, and Daryl Hannah. He argued that the ensemble “overacted” and that none of the actors delivered standout performances. “Nobody’s great in that movie,” he wrote.
While Steel Magnolias has become a beloved classic, with Julia’s portrayal of Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie often celebrated as one of her most emotional and impactful roles, Eric’s critique offers a rare perspective from someone both close to Julia and deeply embedded in the film industry. His remarks, though critical, reflect a different artistic view of the movie’s emotional performances and melodramatic tone.
Following the release of his memoir, Eric’s representatives sought to soften the impact of his comments, telling Fox News Digital that “Eric painfully regrets saying any of what he said about the performances in Steel Magnolias.” They added that his views were expressed differently in the audiobook version of his memoir, which more accurately reflects his feelings. The rep also noted that Steel Magnolias isn’t the kind of film Eric typically enjoys, as his preferences lean more toward political thrillers.
This isn’t the first time the Roberts siblings have faced rumors of tension. Though they have both had successful acting careers, Julia’s meteoric rise to fame in the 1990s often overshadowed Eric’s accomplishments. Eric’s public struggles with addiction and a few career setbacks only fueled speculation about a sibling rivalry that has lingered for years.
Despite the ongoing rumors, both Eric and Julia have spoken publicly about their love and respect for each other. Julia has often described her older brother as one of her biggest inspirations, and Eric has frequently praised his sister’s talent, even as he offers his honest critiques of her work.
Whether or not Julia will respond to Eric’s latest comments remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Roberts family continues to capture the public’s fascination, both on and off the screen. For now, Eric insists his remarks are not about jealousy but about honest artistic opinion—leaving fans to speculate about the deeper dynamics at play between Hollywood’s most famous siblings.
