Eric Roberts Admits He's 'Still Not a Father Figure' to Daughter Emma Roberts

justjared.com:

Eric Roberts is opening up about his shortcomings as a father. In his new memoir Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far, the 68-year-old actor, who has amassed more than 700 acting credits, credits opened up about struggling to be a father to daughter Emma Roberts, whom he shares with ex-partner Kelly Cunningham, admitting that he’s “still not a father figure” to her. Keep reading to find out more…“I had abandoned Kelly when Emma was just seven months old,” Eric wrote, via EW. “We went through a lot, and [Kelly] saw me at my absolute worst — yet she stayed, for a time, though I’m sure she questioned whether or not she should.

We both wanted a child — maybe I did more than she — but we both wanted to become parents.” Eric then went on to recall his excitement about becoming a father, writing, “The pregnancy was very exciting.

I fell madly in love with Emma the first minute I saw her. We’d even tried to bring on labor so it could happen exactly on the due date.

It was a natural birth. I sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to her belly a lot. When Emma finally made her appearance, she wasn’t quite quiet and mellow, but when I started singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her, she must have recognized my voice because she calmed right down.” Despite his enthusiasm about being a father, Eric believed that he wasn’t suited for parenthood. “I loved my little daughter with the strength of Hercules, despite my own weaknesses,” Eric wrote. “However, I couldn’t handle the realities of an infant coming into my life, and I couldn’t handle being a parent!