Actress Emma Roberts, best known for her roles in American Horror Story and Scream Queens, comes from a family steeped in Hollywood history.
Born on February 10, 1991, to Eric Roberts and Kelly Cunningham, Emma’s parents were instrumental in shaping her life, even though they parted ways shortly after her birth. Here’s everything you need to know about Emma Roberts’ parents.
Eric Roberts and Kelly Cunningham’s relationship
Eric Roberts and Kelly Cunningham began dating in 1988, and their relationship resulted in the birth of Emma in 1991. The couple lived in New York at the time but never married. They separated shortly after Emma’s birth.
Eric moved on and married actress Eliza Garrett in 1992. In a 1994 interview with Howard Stern, Eric revealed that they met on a plane and became friends before getting into a relationship. “We didn’t start kissing until 1991 and we got married in ’92,” he shared.
Meanwhile, Cunningham married American bassist Kelly Nichols, with whom he had another daughter, Grace Nichols. Despite her public relations, Cunningham has maintained a private life and instead chooses to highlight her children’s accomplishments on social media.
Eric Roberts: an illustrious career in Hollywood
With over 700 credits in films, TV shows, and music videos, Eric Roberts has enjoyed a long and busy career in entertainment. His breakout role came in 1978’s King of the Gypsies, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. From there, he appeared in many other projects like Runaway Train, The Dark Knight, Heroes, and Suits.
Discussing his work ethic, Eric told The Hollywood Reporter, “We get eight to 30 offers every day from all over the world. It’s so fun to have all these offers and to play such a variety of characters.”
He revealed that he often works 200 days a year and enjoys the spontaneity of last-minute projects. He said, “I may get an offer to come on Friday to Saturday.” “Every time, it’s fun.”
Despite being in the same profession, Eric said that he and Emma rarely discuss acting. “We’ve never discussed it since she was 9,” he shared. “Our relationship is completely different. “I don’t want to be too sad, but I just love this whole thing.”
Kelly Cunningham: A private but supportive mom
Kelly Cunningham is known for his close relationship with Emma. Although she has kept her personal life away from the public eye, she often shares photos and tributes to Emma and her grandchildren. Emma often praises her mother and calls her a pillar of support.
In an interview with People in January 2023, Emma said, “I’m very fortunate that my mom helps me a lot. I will die without my mother.” On Mother’s Day 2022, she wrote on Instagram, “Thank you for teaching me how to be a mother. Always be ready for adventure. Always answers the phone at midnight. And no one makes me laugh as hard as you.”
Cunningham’s love for his family sometimes spills over onto social media. However, their excitement led to the accidental revelation of Emma’s pregnancy with their son Rhodes in 2020.
“I was keeping my pregnancy a very secret, but unfortunately my mom has Instagram,” Emma joked on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Despite the accident, a strong bond remains between Emma and her mother, with Cunningham often doting on his grandson.
Eric Roberts’ relationship with Emma
Eric Roberts is very proud of Emma’s acting career. While the father-daughter duo keeps their relationship private, Eric often talks openly about Emma’s talents.
“I love my daughter’s work these days,” he said on Still Here Hollywood in July 2024. “I can’t believe how great she has become. I’m so proud of her I can’t look straight.
He attributes Emma’s success to her natural talent and hard work rather than formal training. “She’s never had any training, so she’s been on-the-job training her entire career,” Eric told The Hollywood Reporter.
Her favorite Emma projects include We’re the Millers and American Horror Story. “I love (AHS), I love that series,” he said during a 2022 podcast interview.
Despite their bond, Emma rarely talks about her father in interviews or shares photos with him on social media. The last public image of them together is from their childhood.
However, Eric continues to celebrate her achievements, often sharing tributes, including a birthday post in February 2023 in which he wrote, “Love for her on my face, even in profile. It is undisputed. I love you, Emma.
Eric Roberts’ Family Relations and Hollywood Legacy
Eric is the son of actor and playwright Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts. Her younger siblings include actresses Julia Roberts and Lisa Roberts Gillen. Reflecting on his relationship with his sisters, Eric told Vanity Fair in 2018, “I was crazy about my sisters. Loved him, respected him. They were precious to me.”
Emma shares a special bond with her aunt Julia Roberts. Growing up, Emma would often visit Julia on film sets, which inspired her to pursue acting.
However, Emma has made it clear that she wants to forge her own path. She told Tatler in 2022, “I never aspired to be like him. I love him very much, I love his work, but I’m just doing my job.”
Eric and Kelly’s roles as grandparents
Both Eric and Kelly Cunningham love their grandson, Rhodes, whom Emma welcomed with actor Garrett Hedlund in December 2020. Cunningham often shares photos of Rhodes on social media, showing her love and joy at becoming a grandmother.
Eric also enjoys his role as a grandparent. “It’s like you wake up on Christmas morning and you have all these presents. But you don’t know what they are, they’re all wrapped up,” he told Reel Talker.
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