When celebrities share the same surname, it’s only natural to wonder whether or not they may be related.
Actresses Emma Roberts and Julia Roberts are, in fact, related. Julia Roberts is the Aunt of Emma Roberts. It has been confirmed that fellow American actor, Eric Roberts, is not only the father of Emma Roberts, but also the older brother of Julia Roberts. Julia has since revealed her close connection with her niece, despite having a rocky relationship with her brother.
Read more below about Julia’s close relationship with Emma, despite her estranged brother.
Roberts Family Drama
From the outside, it’s easy to assume that the famous family also share their passions together off screen; however, this is not necessarily the case.
Born in Mississippi and raised in Georgia, Eric was inseparable from his sisters Julia and Lisa Roberts. After their parents’ divorce when he was 15 years old, his sisters moved out with their mother, while he remained with his father.
After rising to fame in film and television, Eric ultimately ended up abusing drugs and alcohol; which took a toll on his family and particularly his relationship with his sister and daughter.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, he reveals that “I was exhausting to be around. Complainy, blamey, unable to enjoy enjoyment. Everyone in my world needed a break sometimes, and that must have included Julia”.
The drama continued in 1993 when Julia shocked the celebrity world, siding with Eric’s ex-girlfriend Kelly Cunningham during a custody battle over their daughter, Emma Roberts. Having grown apart from her sibling and forming a close relationship with her niece, Julia helped Kelly fund the legal process.
The pair went almost 10 years without talking but despite the falling out, the siblings reunited in 2004 when Julia gave birth to twins. Since then, Julia and Eric’s relationship has been back on track. Eric tells Vanity Fair that the pair are now “email buddies” and have celebrated a number of holidays together.
As for Emma, the young actress still does not have the best relationship with her father. However, it has been revealed that she has grown extremely close to her stepmother, Eric’s wife Eliza Roberts.
Like Aunt, Like Niece
Although Eric Roberts likes to claim to be responsible for the success of both his sister and daughter, it was, in fact, Julia Roberts who helped Emma get to where she is today.
In an interview with Glamour in 2015, Emma explains “My mom and I would stay with my Aunt Julia when I was really young, so I grew up on sets”.
Emma caught the acting bug from a very young age and often refers to an old polaroid photo of herself on the set of Erin Brockovich, wearing one of her Aunt’s dresses from the movie with the biggest smile on her face.
She also recalls spending her childhood on set and in her Aunt’s dressing room, detailing how she would cry whenever she had to leave.
Just like her Aunt, Emma Roberts made her acting debut at a very young age; securing a role in the 2001 film Blow at only nine years old. This was the first film she auditioned for so it’s safe to say that acting is definitely in her blood.
Both women have left their mark on the screen over the years, securing countless awards, nominations and titles. Both Julia and Emma have received MTV Movie Awards and Teen Choice Awards, among many other prestigious prizes.
You can watch Emma Roberts talk about her Aunt Julia and growing up surrounded by the film industry in the YouTube video below.
Are Emma & Julia Related to Any Other Roberts?
It’s well known by now that Emma and Julia Roberts are, in fact, related; but is it possible that either of them is related to any other celebrity Roberts’?
Although Emma and Julia are perhaps the most well-known ‘Roberts’ in the industry, there are a number of other famous Roberts’ that spring to mind.
Fellow American actress Tanya Roberts or Canadian model and actress Rachel Roberts could also potentially have some sort of a connection in the family tree. Perhaps the late Everybody Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts or former Pussycat Doll Ashely Roberts may also share a bloodline.
As of right now, there are no other famous Roberts’ confirmed to be related to Emma or Julia Roberts; but when you share the same surname, the theory is definitely not off the table.