Emma Roberts' dad Eric reveals losing her due to cocaine addiction in new memoir

"I couldn’t handle being a parent," Eric admits to abandoning his family when Emma was just 7 months old.

Eric Roberts is opening up about his difficult past and complicated relationship with daughter Emma Roberts in his newly-released memoir, 'Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far.' 

The 68-year-old actor delves into his personal battles, including his struggles with addiction and its impact on his ability to be a father. 

"I loved my little daughter with the strength of Hercules, despite my own weaknesses," he wrote, adding, "However, I couldn’t handle the realities of an infant coming into my life, and I couldn’t handle being a parent!"

Eric shares Emma, 33, with ex Kelly Cunningham. In the memoir, he admits to abandoning Cunningham when Emma was only 7 months old, largely due to his struggles with cocaine addiction. 

"The biggest consequence of my drug use was losing Emma," he said, reflecting on how his addiction overshadowed his role as a parent. 

Despite the past, Roberts, who has been sober since 1995, expressed immense pride in his daughter, especially her career and her role as a mother to her son, Rhodes. "I’m so proud of her I can’t see straight," he shared.

Eric's memoir not only highlights his personal journey but also underscores his admiration for Emma's success, calling her work "great" and admitting that she "overwhelms" him with pride.