Walter Grady Roberts: Father of Julia Roberts and Eric Roberts

Walter Grady Roberts was an actor, playwright, and acting coach from Atlanta, Georgia. While he never became a household name in his own right, his influence on the performing arts — and on his three children — left a mark that still echoes through Hollywood today. He was the father of Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts, acclaimed actor Eric Roberts, and actress-producer Lisa Roberts Gillan. Walter died of cancer on November 17, 1977, at just 43 years old, when Julia was only nine.

His story is one of quiet dedication to the craft of acting, a deep belief in community theater, and a family legacy that would go on to shape American cinema in ways he couldn’t have imagined.

Early Life in Atlanta

Walter Grady Roberts was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1933, in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in the Atlanta area during a time when the American South was undergoing significant social and cultural change. From a young age, Walter showed a strong interest in the performing arts, drawn to both acting and writing.

Atlanta in the 1940s and 1950s wasn’t exactly a hub for aspiring actors, but Walter found his way into local theater circles. His passion for the stage wasn’t just about performing — he cared deeply about the craft itself and about helping others discover their own creative voices. That combination of talent and generosity would define his career.

Career as Actor and Playwright

Walter pursued acting and playwriting with genuine devotion. He wasn’t chasing fame or fortune in Hollywood. Instead, he committed himself to the Atlanta theater scene, where he could write, perform, and teach on his own terms.

Together with his first wife, Betty Lou Bredemus, Walter co-founded the Actors and Writers Workshop in Atlanta. The workshop served as a training ground for aspiring performers and writers in the community, offering a space where people from different backgrounds could study the craft of acting. It wasn’t a large or flashy operation, but it mattered deeply to those who came through its doors.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Walter’s teaching career was his connection to the King family. He trained young performers who included Yolanda King, the eldest daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. This connection spoke volumes about Walter’s character and his willingness to work across the racial divides that still dominated much of the South during that era. He believed in the power of theater to bring people together, and he put that belief into practice.

As a playwright, Walter crafted works that reflected his understanding of human nature and his commitment to storytelling. While none of his plays achieved widespread commercial success, they contributed to the cultural fabric of Atlanta’s theater community and gave local actors meaningful material to work with.

His Children: Julia, Eric, and Lisa

Walter married Betty Lou Bredemus in the mid-1950s, and together they had three children who would all go on to careers in entertainment. The artistic DNA ran strong in the Roberts family.

Eric Roberts, born in 1956, was the eldest. Eric followed his father’s path into acting and built a prolific career in film and television. He earned an Academy Award nomination for Runaway Train in 1985 and appeared in hundreds of films over the decades. Eric’s own daughter, Emma Roberts, would later become a successful actress as well — making Walter a grandfather to yet another generation of performers.

Lisa Roberts Gillan, born in 1965, carved out her own niche in the industry as both an actress and a producer. She appeared in several films alongside her sister Julia and worked behind the camera on various projects. Lisa carried forward the family’s creative spirit in her own way.

Julia Roberts, born on October 28, 1967, became the most famous of Walter’s children — and one of the most recognizable actresses in the world. Julia won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Erin Brockovich in 2001 and starred in beloved films that defined an era. But Julia was only nine years old when her father died. She’s spoken in interviews about how his loss shaped her life, and those close to the family have noted how Walter’s love of performance clearly passed down to his youngest daughter.

It’s worth pausing on that fact: Walter Grady Roberts never got to see any of his children succeed. He didn’t witness Eric’s breakout roles. He wasn’t there when Julia became one of the biggest movie stars on the planet. He missed all of it. But the foundation he laid — the love of acting, the respect for the craft, the belief that storytelling matters — carried his children forward long after he was gone.

His Legacy

Walter Grady Roberts died of cancer on November 17, 1977. He was 43 years old. His death came far too early, robbing his children of a father and the Atlanta theater community of a dedicated teacher and artist.

But legacies aren’t measured only by what someone accomplishes in their own lifetime. Walter’s legacy lives in the careers of his children and grandchildren. It lives in the performers he trained at the Actors and Writers Workshop. It lives in the simple fact that a man from Atlanta, Georgia, with no major Hollywood connections, raised a family that would go on to become one of the most prominent acting dynasties in American film.

His connection to Yolanda King and the civil rights community also speaks to a broader legacy — one of using art as a bridge between people. In a divided South, Walter opened his workshop to anyone with talent and drive. That kind of quiet courage doesn’t always make the history books, but it matters all the same.

Walter Grady Roberts may not have lived to see his name in lights, but through Julia, Eric, Lisa, and even granddaughter Emma, his presence is felt every time a Roberts steps in front of a camera.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Walter Grady Roberts?

Walter Grady Roberts was an American actor, playwright, and acting coach based in Atlanta, Georgia. He’s best known as the father of Julia Roberts, Eric Roberts, and Lisa Roberts Gillan.

How did Walter Grady Roberts die?

Walter died of cancer on November 17, 1977, at the age of 43. His daughter Julia was just nine years old at the time of his passing.

What was the Actors and Writers Workshop?

The Actors and Writers Workshop was a community theater school in Atlanta co-founded by Walter and his first wife, Betty Lou Bredemus. It provided acting training to local performers, including Yolanda King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr.

Did Walter Grady Roberts ever meet Martin Luther King Jr.?

While the exact details of their interactions aren’t widely documented, Walter trained Yolanda King, Dr. King’s eldest daughter, through his Atlanta workshop. This connection placed him within the broader circle of the King family during the civil rights era.

How many children did Walter Grady Roberts have?

Walter had three children: Eric Roberts (born 1956), Lisa Roberts Gillan (born 1965), and Julia Roberts (born 1967). All three pursued careers in the entertainment industry.

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For another story about a figure connected to Hollywood through family, read about Robert Charles Hunter, whose own life intersected with the entertainment industry in meaningful ways.