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Runaway Train

By: Eric Roberts, Sam Kashner - contributor
Narrated by: Eric Roberts
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Publisher's summary

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
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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

What listeners say about Runaway Train

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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.

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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.

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He was a great narrator!!!

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

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family lost and gained

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

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His story

I hope everyone heals. What a rollercoaster of a story! Beautifully told and everyone is human and makes mistakes, it’s how we learn from them that we grow. His wife seems like a big pillar of his life now.

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Great memoir!

Eric's memoir is an indepth look as a legendary life and career that is still in the making. We grt a good firsthand account of his early life, the family dynamic, Julia, etc. Then comes the stardom in his classic films: King of the Gypsies, Star 80, and Pope of Greenwich Village. Culminating in his nomination for an Oscar for Runaway Train.
Then he met Eliza, was no longer the Coca Coca Kid.

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A really great listen.

Eric’s reading of the book had all kinds of colors and emotions. I can only assume it was very therapeutic for the author and it offered up a kind of humility in its execution. Bravo.

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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.

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Intellectual Healing

Eric Roberts has supernatural abilities to confront evil and is courageous enough to mention it, not only in others but in himself. His courage is supernatural. He brings to notice family dynamics that make most people want to faint, from relief that someone finally mentions it. It is almost impossible for a person to admit a parent has sociopathic tendencies and works to destroy and undermine other family members from within. He points out siblings can be in the same family and have two completely different lives. This is prevalent. This is an everyday reality for those who have experienced this aberration. He rose above it and paved the way for others in his family to flourish and prosper creating a new dynasty in theater. He was suppressed to mention it but would not endorse it by remaining silent. The most amazing integrity. I am not familiar with anyone in his family or their theater success. Or his. I knew about an audiobook his sister recently read. You don't need to know any of the people he writes about. His real story isn't about theater people. He could have come from a family of coal miners and the wisdom and reality he shares have the same value. I was so grateful to read this book and know that someone else has experienced this violent reality. It is a trauma. I am so proud of him and hopeful that others can admit these personal traumas and overcome them by holding them out there without shame. Eric Roberts is so much more than an actor He is a healer. I do not doubt that others who read this book will find the courage, and will be encouraged to admit and own their terrible tribe. This is true responsibility. He is an actor with personal integrity. He walked through his professional life with maximum creation and minimum destruction. That is not an easy walk. I have the utmost respect for him that he did not evolve into a synthetic being and he kept it all real. His sincerity is above and beyond.

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He was willing to be so open about his life

Eric made it entertaining. I believe it’s because he read it himself and the emotions were there as he read it back. I always like pulling the curtain behind the scenes so we can see what’s going on and how people think it actually feel as a celebrity large or small. He has had a very interesting career.

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