Skimming through the pages of Eric Roberts’ memoir Runaway Train: Or, The Story Of My Life So Far, I noticed only passing references to Best of the Best, 1989’s classic sports drama about the U.S. National Karate team going up against hardcore Koreans. I knew I had to ask about the film when it was my turn to meet the one and only Roberts, an Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee with over 700 credits. Star 80, Runaway Train, two Best of the Best films, The Specialist, The Cable Guy, Purgatory, DOA: Dead Or Alive, The Dark Knight, The Expendables, Entourage, The Butcher and so, so many more.
Roberts is currently promoting his participation on Dancing With the Stars and the release of his memoir, co-written by Sam Kashner. Tonight, he’s signing copies of the book at a huge Barnes and Noble in Los Angeles. A gentleman behind me worked with Roberts on a recently completed Western in Ohio and shared how cool a guy Roberts is. Cool to the crew, telling stories on set and hanging out after hours. Listening to Roberts recently on Michael Biehn’s Just Foolin’ About podcast, he comes across excited, funny and honest at 68 while saying “dude” a lot.
As the line moves, you can hear Roberts interacting with fans, thanking them for buying his book, joking around and taking photos. When its our turn, he asks about my tee shirt (Biehn as Aliens’ Corporal Hicks) and smiles saying “I like Michael”. I tell him the book seems to be light on Best of the Best and he responds that the film was a miracle and also a classic. It also makes grown men cry. Best of the Best 2 was sad for him as they lost Chris Penn. And he can still use a bo staff! I ask about his appearance on Entourage as the mushroom growing, Winnebago driving, Hollywood spiritual guru of sorts and he says it was the best job he ever had except for The Righteous Gemstones.
With that, Roberts chit chatted some more, signed our books and pulled us in close for photos. A terrific encounter with a super cool dude who loves to perform.
