Academy Award Nominee Eric Roberts in Person

Tickets include a screening of Runaway Train, a copy of his new memoir, discussion, audience Q&A, and book signing reception with music

Join us for a very special evening with Academy Award Nominated actor Eric Roberts, as we present a screening of the critically-acclaimed but rarely shown film, Runaway Train, which features his Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated performance. In addition to the film screening, the event will include a discussion of his intriguing new memoir named after this iconic performance, Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far.

This program will be Eric Roberts first public appearance promoting his new book!

Runaway Train (1985):

Masterfully combining spine-tingling action with complex psychological drama, Runaway Train tells the story of two twisted convicts who escape a prison in snowy Alaska, battling the desolate landscape until they board an empty train – only to discover that the engineer has had a heart attack even as the train accelerates out of control. Nominated for the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or as well as with 3 Academy Award nominations for Eric Roberts, John Voight and Henry Richardson for Best Film Editing, Runaway Train is based on an original screenplay by the Japanese master, Akira Kurosawa. Also starring Rebecca DeMornay, critic Roger Ebert gave it four stars, unabashedly praising the film’s cast, character development, and spectacular stunts films with a “raw, uncluttered desperation. . . that they put slick Hollywood stunts to shame.” The film’s ending, he wrote, is “astonishing in its emotional impact.”

Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far:

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.

As a young actor in New York, Eric 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 the 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. He went on to appear in 700 films over a five-decade career.

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. 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.

Event Produced and Curated by Jud Newborn

Thanks to our Sponsors

Mike Soloway, Jazz Guitar

1-800-Flowers

Tickets: $52 Public | $42 Members

Tickets include a copy of his new memoir, film screening, discussion, Q&A, & book signing reception.