Eliza Garrett was born on January 23, 1953. She is the only daughter of screenwriters David Rayfiel and Lila Garrett.[1] Her parents were married for only three years. Her grandfather is statesman and judge Leo F. Rayfiel.
Career
Actress
At 18, she received her diploma.[2] Two years later, in 1973, she left everything behind to pursue her acting career. Her first film role was in Schlock, released in 1973, where she starred alongside John Landis, who also directed the film.[3] In 1978, she was rehired by the same director and appeared in the comedy National Lampoon's Animal House. During the filming, she was expecting her first child, Keaton.[4]
In 2021, she starred alongside her husband in The Tasmanian Devil, directed by Hussain Ahmad. For this, she won two awards, including Best Actress at the Toronto Independent Film Festival in 2022. In 2023, she co-produced the film My Last Best Friend, which won Best Feature Film at the Athens Digital International Film Festival in Greece.[5]
Casting director
Her first experience as a casting director was for the CBSsitcomBaby... I'm Back!. This series was created by her mother, Lila Garrett, and Mort Lachman. She resumed this role eight years later for the shows You again? and Throb, and in 1990 for the series Midnight Caller, among others.
Producer
In 2012, she started her film production career with the movie Letting Go, in which she also acted. She went on to produce both short films and feature films, often casting herself, her husband, or her mother in roles.
In 1986, she met Eric Roberts on a plane while he was still married to Kelly Cunningham.[7] They divorced in 1991, and the same year, Eric and Eliza began dating and married on August 16, 1992.[8] She became the sister-in-law of actresses Lisa and Julia Roberts.
In 1995, a dispute occurred with her husband at their home, leading to Eric's arrest and detention for hitting her on the head. He posted his own bail of $50,000 to be released.[9][10] Eliza gave Eric an ultimatum: he had to get clean if he didn't want to lose her.[11] The court also mandated that Eric undergo an 18-month rehabilitation program.[12] He quit cocaine but remained dependent on cannabis. Thanks to various therapies, Eliza helped Eric overcome his addictions. Together, they participated in Season 4 of Celebrity Rehab on VH1. The couple is considered one of Hollywood's strongest by various media outlets.
Additionally, as Eric's manager, Eliza revitalized his career.[13]
Eliza maintains a good relationship with her stepdaughter, actress Emma Roberts.[14]
In the film industry, she is the godmother of Mason Ewing.[15]
Philanthropy
Eliza Roberts advocates for child protection alongside actor and author Steve Pemberton and producer Sharon LeCoque.[16]
