Eric Anthony Roberts (born April 18, 1956) is an American actor. His career began with a leading role in ''
King of the Gypsies
The title King of the Gypsies has been claimed or given over the centuries to many different people. It is both culturally and geographically specific. It may be inherited, acquired by acclamation or action, or simply claimed. The extent of the p ...
'' (1978) for which he received his first
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...
nomination. He was nominated again at the Golden Globes for his role in
Bob Fosse
Robert Louis Fosse (; June 23, 1927 – September 23, 1987) was an American actor, choreographer, dancer, and film and stage director. He directed and choreographed musical works on stage and screen, including the stage musicals ''The Pajam ...
's ''
Star 80
''Star 80'' is a 1983 American biographical drama film written and directed by Bob Fosse. It was adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning ''Village Voice'' article "Death of a Playmate" by Teresa Carpenter and is based on Canadian ''Playboy'' mo ...
'' (1983). Roberts' performance in ''
Runaway Train
A runaway train is a type of railroad incident in which unattended rolling stock is accidentally allowed to roll onto the main line, a moving train loses enough braking power to be unable to stop in safety, or a train operates at unsafe speeds d ...
'' (1985), as prison escapee Buck McGeehy, earned him a third Golden Globe nod and a nomination for the
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given in honor of an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role while worki ...
. He is the older brother of actress
Julia Roberts
Julia Fiona Roberts (born October 28, 1967) is an American actress. Known for her leading roles in films encompassing a variety of genres, she has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and thr ...
.
In a career spanning over 40 years Roberts has amassed more than 700 credits, including ''
Raggedy Man
''Raggedy Man'' is a 1981 American drama film based on William D. Wittliff and Sara Clark's 1979 novel, and directed by Jack Fisk. It follows a divorced mother and telephone switchboard operator living with her two sons in a small town during Wo ...
'' (1981), ''
The Pope of Greenwich Village
''The Pope of Greenwich Village'' is a 1984 American crime black comedy film directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts, Daryl Hannah, Geraldine Page, Kenneth McMillan and Burt Young. Page was nominated for the Academy ...
'' (1984), ''Runaway Train'',''
The Specialist
''The Specialist'' is a 1994 American action thriller film directed by Luis Llosa and starring Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, James Woods, Eric Roberts, and Rod Steiger. It is loosely based on "The Specialist" series of novels by John Shirley ...
'' (1994), ''
Cecil B. Demented
''Cecil B. Demented'' is a 2000 black comedy film written and directed by John Waters. The film stars Melanie Griffith as a snobby A-list Hollywood actress who is kidnapped by a band of terrorist filmmakers; they force her to star in their underg ...
'' (2000), ''
National Security
National security, or national defence, is the security and defence of a sovereign state, including its citizens, economy, and institutions, which is regarded as a duty of government. Originally conceived as protection against military atta ...
'' (2003), ''
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints
''A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints'' is a 2006 American drama film based on a 2001 memoir of the same name by author, director, and musician Dito Montiel, which describes his youth in Astoria, New York during the 1980s.
Montiel wrote and directed ...
'' (2006), ''
The Dark Knight
''The Dark Knight'' is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan from a screenplay he co-wrote with his brother Jonathan. Based on the DC Comics superhero, Batman, it is the sequel to ''Batman Begins'' (2005) and the second insta ...
'' (2008), ''
The Expendables'' (2010), ''
Inherent Vice
''Inherent Vice'' is a novel by American author Thomas Pynchon, originally published in August 2009. A darkly comic detective novel set in 1970s California, the plot follows sleuth Larry "Doc" Sportello whose ex-girlfriend asks him to investiga ...
'' (2014), ''
The Institute'' (2017), and ''
Head Full of Honey'' (2018). His equally varied television work includes three seasons with the sitcom ''
Less than Perfect
''Less than Perfect'' is an American television sitcom created by Terri Minsky and starring Sara Rue and Sherri Shepherd which originally aired on ABC from October 1, 2002, to June 20, 2006. It follows Claude (Rue), who works at a television netw ...
'', as well as
recurring role
A recurring character is a fictional character, usually in a prime time TV series, who frequently appears from time to time during the series' run. Recurring characters often play major roles in more than one episode, sometimes being the main foc ...
s on the
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...
drama ''
Heroes
Heroes or Héroes may refer to:
* Hero, one who displays courage and self-sacrifice for the greater good
Film
* ''Heroes'' (1977 film), an American drama
* ''Heroes'' (2008 film), an Indian Hindi film
Gaming
* ''Heroes of Might and Magic'' ...
'' and the
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...
soap opera ''
The Young and the Restless
''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in fictional Genoa City (not the real-life similarly-named Genoa City, Wi ...
'', as well as ''
Saved by the Light
''Saved by the Light'' is a 1994 nonfiction book by Dannion Brinkley describing his purported near-death experience (NDE). It is co-authored by Paul Perry. The book was adapted for a 1995 FOX TV film of the same name starring Eric Roberts.
...
'', the legal drama ''
Suits'', Fox's ''
The Finder'', and the only non-
UK actor to play
the Master in the 1996 ''
Doctor Who
''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...
''
television film
A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...
.
Since the 1970s, he is one of few actors to have more than 700 credits (blockbusters, independent films, animated films, TV series, animated series, short films and student films).
[.][.][.]
Early life
Eric Anthony Roberts was born in
Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi ( ; ) is a city in and one of two county seats of Harrison County, Mississippi, United States (the other being the adjacent city of Gulfport). The 2010 United States Census recorded the population as 44,054 and in 2019 the estimated popu ...
, on April 18, 1956, to Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts, one-time actors and playwrights, who met while touring with a production of ''
George Washington Slept Here
''George Washington Slept Here'' is a 1942 comedy film starring Jack Benny, Ann Sheridan, Charles Coburn, Percy Kilbride, and Hattie McDaniel. It was based on the 1940 play of the same name by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, adapted by Everett F ...
'' for the armed forces.
In 1963, they co-founded the Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop in
Atlanta
Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
off Juniper Street in Midtown. They ran a children's acting school in
Decatur, Georgia
Decatur is a city in, and the county seat of, DeKalb County, Georgia, which is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. With a population of 24,928 in the 2020 census, the municipality is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple ZIP Codes in ...
. Roberts' mother became a church secretary and real estate agent, and his father was a vacuum cleaner salesman. Roberts's younger siblings,
Julia Roberts
Julia Fiona Roberts (born October 28, 1967) is an American actress. Known for her leading roles in films encompassing a variety of genres, she has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and thr ...
(from whom he was estranged until 2004) and Lisa Roberts Gillan, are also actors.
Roberts' parents filed for divorce in 1971 and it was finalized early in 1972. Eric stayed with his father Walter in Atlanta, estranged from his sisters.
Walter died of cancer in March 1977.
Lisa, Julia, and Betty moved to Smyrna, a suburb of Atlanta, after the divorce.
In 1972, Betty married Michael Motes, and had a daughter with him in 1976,
Nancy Motes, who died February 9, 2014, at age 37, of an apparent drug overdose.
Motes was abusive and often unemployed. In 1983, Betty divorced Motes, citing cruelty and saying that marrying him was the biggest mistake of her life.
Roberts is of English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, German, and Swedish descent.
Career
Roberts got his start on the now-defunct NBC daytime soap opera ''
Another World'' originating the role of Ted Bancroft from February 14, 1977, to June 17, 1977.
Roberts received
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...
nominations for his early starring roles in ''
King of the Gypsies
The title King of the Gypsies has been claimed or given over the centuries to many different people. It is both culturally and geographically specific. It may be inherited, acquired by acclamation or action, or simply claimed. The extent of the p ...
'' (1978) and ''
Star 80
''Star 80'' is a 1983 American biographical drama film written and directed by Bob Fosse. It was adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning ''Village Voice'' article "Death of a Playmate" by Teresa Carpenter and is based on Canadian ''Playboy'' mo ...
'' (1983). He was nominated for the
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given in honor of an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role while worki ...
in 1985 for his role as the escaped convict Buck in the film ''
Runaway Train
A runaway train is a type of railroad incident in which unattended rolling stock is accidentally allowed to roll onto the main line, a moving train loses enough braking power to be unable to stop in safety, or a train operates at unsafe speeds d ...
''; the award went to
Don Ameche
Don Ameche (; born Dominic Felix Amici; May 31, 1908 – December 6, 1993) was an American actor, comedian and vaudevillian. After playing in college shows, stock, and vaudeville, he became a major radio star in the early 1930s, which ...
for ''
Cocoon''. In 1987, he won the
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway theatre, Broadway or Off-Broadway. It was first awarded for the 1945 ...
for his
Broadway
Broadway may refer to:
Theatre
* Broadway Theatre (disambiguation)
* Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
** Broadway (Manhattan), the street
**Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
debut performance in ''
Burn This
''Burn This'' (stylized as ''Burn/This'' for the 2019 revival) is a play by Lanford Wilson. Like much of Wilson's work, the play includes themes of gay identity and relationships.
Plot summary
The play begins shortly after the funeral of Robbie, ...
''.
Roberts' other starring roles included ''
Paul's Case
"Paul's Case" is a short story by Willa Cather. It was first published in ''McClure's Magazine'' in 1905 under the title "Paul's Case: A Study in Temperament", which was later shortened. It also appeared in a collection of Cather's stories, '' T ...
'' (1980), ''
Raggedy Man
''Raggedy Man'' is a 1981 American drama film based on William D. Wittliff and Sara Clark's 1979 novel, and directed by Jack Fisk. It follows a divorced mother and telephone switchboard operator living with her two sons in a small town during Wo ...
'' (1981), ''
The Pope of Greenwich Village
''The Pope of Greenwich Village'' is a 1984 American crime black comedy film directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts, Daryl Hannah, Geraldine Page, Kenneth McMillan and Burt Young. Page was nominated for the Academy ...
'' (1984), ''
The Coca-Cola Kid
''The Coca-Cola Kid'' is a 1985 Australian romantic comedy film. It was directed by Dušan Makavejev and stars Eric Roberts and Greta Scacchi. The film is based on the short stories ''The Americans, Baby'', and ''The Electrical Experience'' by ...
'' (1985), ''
Nobody's Fool'' (1986), ''
Best of the Best
Best or The Best may refer to:
People
* Best (surname), people with the surname Best
* Best (footballer, born 1968), retired Portuguese footballer
Companies and organizations
* Best & Co., an 1879–1971 clothing chain
* Best Lock Corporation ...
'' (1989), ''
By the Sword'' (1991), ''
Final Analysis
''Final Analysis'' is a 1992 American neo-noir erotic thriller film directed by Phil Joanou and written by Wesley Strick from a concept by forensic psychiatrist Robert H. Berger. It stars Richard Gere, Kim Basinger, Uma Thurman, Eric Roberts, Ke ...
'' (1992), ''
Best of the Best 2
''Best of the Best II'' is a 1993 martial arts film directed by Robert Radler, and starring Eric Roberts and Phillip Rhee. It is the first sequel to the 1989 film ''Best of the Best''. The plot follows four of the characters from the original ...
'' (1993), ''
The Specialist
''The Specialist'' is a 1994 American action thriller film directed by Luis Llosa and starring Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, James Woods, Eric Roberts, and Rod Steiger. It is loosely based on "The Specialist" series of novels by John Shirley ...
'' (1994), ''
The Immortals'' (1995), ''
La Cucaracha
La Cucaracha ("The Cockroach") is a popular Mexican folk song about a cockroach who cannot walk. The song's origins are unclear, but it dates back at least to the 1910s during the Mexican Revolution. The song belongs to the Mexican genre. The s ...
'' (1998), and ''
Purgatory
Purgatory (, borrowed into English via Anglo-Norman and Old French) is, according to the belief of some Christian denominations (mostly Catholic), an intermediate state after physical death for expiatory purification. The process of purgatory ...
'' (1999).
In 1996, he appeared in the ''
Doctor Who
''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...
'' television film in the role of
the Master. When ''
SFX'' listed previous Masters in ''
Doctor Who
''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...
'', the magazine said of Roberts: "Out-acted by a
CGI snake in the same production." The onscreen wife of Roberts's human character, who is killed by her newly possessed husband taken over by the Master, is played by his real-life wife. He also co-starred in the 1996 television miniseries version of ''
In Cold Blood
''In Cold Blood'' is a non-fiction novel by American author Truman Capote, first published in 1966. It details the 1959 murders of four members of the Clutter family in the small farming community of Holcomb, Kansas.
Capote learned of the qua ...
'', in the role of
Perry Smith; he was nominated as Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television. He starred in
''C-16'' for its entire 1997 to 1998 run. He starred opposite
John Ritter
Johnathan Southworth Ritter (September 17, 1948 – September 11, 2003) was an American actor. Ritter was a son of the singing cowboy star Tex Ritter and the father of actors Jason and Tyler Ritter. He is known for playing Jack Tripper on the ...
in the movie ''
Tripfall
''Tripfall'' is a 2000 American thriller film directed and written by Serge Rodnunsky and starring Eric Roberts (as Eddie), John Ritter (as Tom Williams), Rachel Hunter (as Gina Williams), Michael Raynor (as Franklin Ross) and Katy Boyer (as Lonn ...
'' in 1998. He played the
Archangel Michael
Michael (; he, מִיכָאֵל, lit=Who is like El od, translit=Mīḵāʾēl; el, Μιχαήλ, translit=Mikhaḗl; la, Michahel; ar, ميخائيل ، مِيكَالَ ، ميكائيل, translit=Mīkāʾīl, Mīkāl, Mīkhāʾīl), also ...
in ''
The Prophecy II
''The Prophecy II'' is a 1998 American Fantasy film, fantasy-Action film, action-Horror film, horror film and the second installment in The Prophecy (film series), ''The Prophecy'' series. Christopher Walken reprises his role as the Archangel Gabri ...
'' (1997).
Roberts co-starred on the
ABC
ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet.
ABC or abc may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting
* American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster
** Disney–ABC Television ...
situation comedy
A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ne ...
''
Less than Perfect
''Less than Perfect'' is an American television sitcom created by Terri Minsky and starring Sara Rue and Sherri Shepherd which originally aired on ABC from October 1, 2002, to June 20, 2006. It follows Claude (Rue), who works at a television netw ...
''. He appeared in an episode of ''
CSI: Miami
''CSI: Miami'' (''Crime Scene Investigation: Miami'') is an American police procedural drama television series that ran from September 23, 2002 until April 8, 2012 on CBS. Featuring David Caruso as Lieutenant Horatio Caine, Emily Procter as Dete ...
'' as Ken Kramer, a murderer on
death row
Death row, also known as condemned row, is a place in a prison that houses inmates awaiting Capital punishment, execution after being convicted of a capital crime and sentenced to death. The term is also used figuratively to describe the state of ...
convicted of killing a young couple. Another notable TV appearance was the episode "Victims" of ''
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' where he played Sam Winfield, a former cop turned vigilante. In the same year, he was also guest-starred on ''
The L Word
''The L Word'' is a television drama that aired on Showtime from January 18, 2004 to March 8, 2009. The series follows the lives of a group of lesbian and bisexual women who live in West Hollywood, California. The premise originated with Ilene ...
'' as Gabriel McCutcheon, the father of
Shane McCutcheon
Shane McCutcheon is a fictional lesbian character from the American Showtime television drama series ''The L Word'', and the sequel series ''L Word: Generation Q'' played by Katherine Moennig.
Character development in The L Word
Shane was orig ...
.
Roberts voiced the
Superman
Superman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, and debuted in the comic book ''Action Comics'' #1 (cover-dated June 1938 and publi ...
villain
Mongul
Mongul () is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Writer Len Wein and artist Jim Starlin created the first version of the character, who debuted in ''DC Comics Presents'' #27 (November 1980). Jerry Ordway created the sec ...
in the animated series ''
Justice League
The Justice League (also known as The Justice League of America) are a team of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The team first appeared in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #28 (March 1960). The team was conceived ...
'', and reprised his role in ''
Justice League Unlimited
''Justice League Unlimited'' (''JLU'') is a 2004–2006 American superhero animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and ...
'' in the episode "
For the Man Who Has Everything
"For the Man Who Has Everything" is a comic book story by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons, first published in ''Superman Annual'' #11 (1985). It contains the first appearance of the Black Mercy, a magical, extraterrestrial, plant-like org ...
". He performed the voice of
Dark Danny
The series ''Danny Phantom'' centers on young Danny Fenton and his coming-of-age story as a half-ghost superhero in the town of Amity Park. Over the course of the series, he betters both himself and his powers as he deals with ghosts, balancing ...
in
Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (often shortened to Nick) is an American pay television television channel, channel which launched on April 1, 1979, as the first cable channel for children. It is run by Paramount Global through its List of assets owned by Param ...
's ''
Danny Phantom''. He appeared in the first season of ''
Heroes
Heroes or Héroes may refer to:
* Hero, one who displays courage and self-sacrifice for the greater good
Film
* ''Heroes'' (1977 film), an American drama
* ''Heroes'' (2008 film), an Indian Hindi film
Gaming
* ''Heroes of Might and Magic'' ...
'' as
Thompson
Thompson may refer to:
People
* Thompson (surname)
* Thompson M. Scoon (1888–1953), New York politician
Places Australia
*Thompson Beach, South Australia, a locality
Bulgaria
* Thompson, Bulgaria, a village in Sofia Province
Canada
* ...
, an associate of
Mr. Bennet. He then reprised the role in the third-season episode "
Villains
A villain (also known as a "black hat" or "bad guy"; the feminine form is villainess) is a stock character, whether based on a historical narrative or one of literary fiction. ''Random House Unabridged Dictionary'' defines such a character a ...
" and in the fourth-season "The Wall".
In 2000, Roberts played a serial killer in ''
The Flying Dutchman
The ''Flying Dutchman'' ( nl, De Vliegende Hollander) is a legendary ghost ship, allegedly never able to make port, but doomed to sail the seven seas forever. The myth is likely to have originated from the 17th-century Golden Age of the Dut ...
''. In 2002, he portrayed an FBI detective in
Ja Rule
Jeffrey Bruce Atkins (born February 29, 1976), better known by his stage name Ja Rule (), is an American rapper and actor. Born and raised in New York City, he debuted in 1999 with ''Venni Vetti Vecci'' and its lead single "Holla Holla". Durin ...
's music video for his song "
Down Ass Bitch
"Down Ass Bitch" was the third and final single by American rapper Ja Rule, from his third studio album '' Pain Is Love'' (2001). It features then-labelmate Charli Baltimore.
Music video
The music video opens with two FBI detectives (played by Er ...
", as well as its sequel "
Down 4 U
"Down 4 U" is the lead single from Murder Inc. Records' compilation album '' Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc.'', released through Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. The song features rapped verses from Ja Rule, Charli Baltimore, ...
".
In 2003, Roberts also appeared in
The Killers
The Killers are an American rock
Rock most often refers to:
* Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids
* Rock music, a genre of popular music
Rock or Rocks may also refer to:
Places United Kingd ...
'
music video
A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...
for their song "
Mr. Brightside
"Mr. Brightside" is the debut single of American rock band the Killers. It is taken from their debut studio album, '' Hot Fuss'' (2004). Written by band members Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning, it was one of the first songs the Killers ever w ...
", later reprising the role in the music video for their 2012 single "
Miss Atomic Bomb
"Miss Atomic Bomb" is a song from American Rock music, rock band The Killers. The track was sent to mainstream radio on October 23, 2012, as the second single taken from the band's fourth studio album, ''Battle Born (album), Battle Born''. It to ...
".
In 2005, he appeared in the music videos for
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey (; born March 27, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Referred to as the " Songbird Supreme", she is noted for her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style and signature use of the whi ...
's "
We Belong Together
"We Belong Together" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her 10th studio album, ''The Emancipation of Mimi'' (2005). The song was released on March 15, 2005, through Island Records, as the second single from the album. ...
" and "
It's Like That".
In 2006, he starred in the drama movie ''
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints
''A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints'' is a 2006 American drama film based on a 2001 memoir of the same name by author, director, and musician Dito Montiel, which describes his youth in Astoria, New York during the 1980s.
Montiel wrote and directed ...
''.
The movie was a success and earned $2,035,468 at the box-office and holds a 75% "Certified Fresh" rating on
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...
. he appeared in the video for
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam (; born April 16, 1973), known mononymously as Akon, is a Senegalese-American singer, record producer, and entrepreneur. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of " Locked Up" (featuring Styles P) ...
's "
Smack That
"Smack That" is a song by American singer and songwriter Akon featuring American rapper Eminem from the former's second studio album '' Konvicted'' (2006). Produced by the latter, it was written by the artists alongside Mike Strange and Luis Res ...
", featuring
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), known professionally as Eminem (; often stylized as EMINƎM), is an American rapper and record producer. He is credited with popularizing hip hop in middle America and is critically acclai ...
. The same year, he had a role in the romantic comedy film ''
Phat Girlz
''Phat Girlz'' is a 2006 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Nnegest Likké and starring Mo'Nique, as well as Kendra C. Johnson, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Godfrey, and Joyful Drake.
Plot
Jazmin Biltmore is a smart-mouthed, plus-size ...
'', starring
Mo'Nique
Monique Angela Hicks (née Imes; born December 11, 1967), known professionally as Mo'Nique, is an American stand-up comedian and actress. She has received an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award.
She ...
, which receive good review and generate $7,401,890 in theaters worldwide. He had a major role in the British-German-American martial arts action film ''
DOA: Dead or Alive'', based on the famous videogame of the same name, which grossed $7.5 million on a budget of $30 million.
In early January 2007, Roberts starred in the two-part miniseries ''
Pandemic
A pandemic () is an epidemic of an infectious disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple continents or worldwide, affecting a substantial number of individuals. A widespread endemic (epidemiology), endemic disease wi ...
'' as the mayor of
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
. In 2007, he appeared in the video for
Godhead's "Hey You". He appeared as a panelist on the television game show ''
Hollywood Squares
''Hollywood Squares'' (originally ''The Hollywood Squares'') is an American game show in which two contestants compete in a game of tic-tac-toe to win cash and prizes. The show piloted on NBC in 1965 and the regular series debuted in 1966 on the ...
''.
On July 18, 2008, he appeared in ''
The Dark Knight
''The Dark Knight'' is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan from a screenplay he co-wrote with his brother Jonathan. Based on the DC Comics superhero, Batman, it is the sequel to ''Batman Begins'' (2005) and the second insta ...
'' as
Sal Maroni
Salvatore Vincent Maroni is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Batman. The substantial character is portrayed as an infamous gangster of Italian descent in Gotham City and a ...
, a
Gotham City
Gotham City ( ), or simply Gotham, is a fictional city appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, best known as the home of the superhero Batman and his allies and foes. Created by writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane, the cit ...
Mafia
"Mafia" is an informal term that is used to describe criminal organizations that bear a strong similarity to the original “Mafia”, the Sicilian Mafia and Italian Mafia. The central activity of such an organization would be the arbitration of d ...
boss who hires
The Joker
The Joker is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, and first appeared in the debut issue of the comic book ''Batman (comic book), Bat ...
to kill Batman and a renegade mob accountant.
In February 2009,
Oscar
Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to:
People
* Oscar (given name), an Irish- and English-language name also used in other languages; the article includes the names Oskar, Oskari, Oszkár, Óscar, and other forms.
* Oscar (Irish mythology) ...
nominee
Mickey Rourke
Philip Andre "Mickey" Rourke Jr. (; born September 16, 1952) is an American actor and former boxer who has appeared primarily as a leading man in drama, action, and thriller films.
During the star of the 1980s, Rourke played supporting roles i ...
, who starred with Roberts in ''The Pope of Greenwich Village'', said he hoped that Roberts would soon be offered a role which would resurrect his career in the way that ''
The Wrestler The Wrestler may refer to:
* ''The Wrestler'' (1974 film), an American film directed by James A. Westman
* ''The Wrestler'' (2008 film), an American film directed by Darren Aronofsky
* "The Wrestler" (song), a song from the 2008 film written and ...
'' rejuvenated Rourke's. He portrayed Seth Blanchard on the second season of the ''
Starz
Starz (stylized as STARZ since 2016; pronounced "stars") is an American premium cable and satellite television network owned by Lions Gate Entertainment, and is the flagship property of parent subsidiary Starz Inc. Programming on Starz consist ...
'' series ''
Crash
Crash or CRASH may refer to:
Common meanings
* Collision, an impact between two or more objects
* Crash (computing), a condition where a program ceases to respond
* Cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating
* Couch su ...
'', from 2009. In 2009, Roberts appeared as himself in "Tree Trippers", a season five episode of ''
Entourage
An entourage () is an informal group or band of people who are closely associated with a (usually) famous, notorious, or otherwise notable individual. The word can also refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* L'entourage, French hip hop / rap collecti ...
''. He is portrayed as a mushroom and drug fanatic as he gives the boys mushrooms and joins them in
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is an American national park in southeastern California, east of San Bernardino and Los Angeles and north of Palm Springs. It is named after the Joshua trees (''Yucca brevifolia'') native to the Mojave Desert. Origin ...
to trip as they contemplate Vince's next movie decision.
The same year, he appeared in the independent movie ''
The Chaos Experiment'', starring
Val Kilmer
Val Edward Kilmer (born December 31, 1959) is an American actor. Originally a stage actor, Kilmer found fame after appearances in comedy films, starting with ''Top Secret!'' (1984) and ''Real Genius'' (1985), as well as the military action film ...
which had a limited theatrical release, playing to small audiences on two screens for one week in Grand Rapids, and for one week in nearby
Lansing
Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, makin ...
. He also appeared in the independent movie ''
Rock Slyde
''Rock Slyde'' is a 2009 American comedy film written and directed by Chris Dowling on his feature-length directorial debut. and produced by Will Wallace, Josh Young, and Milan Chakraborty. This independent production stars Patrick Warburton, An ...
'', starring
Patrick Warburton
Patrick Warburton (born November 14, 1964) is an American actor.
On television, he has played David Puddy on '' Seinfeld'', the title character on '' The Tick'', Jeb Denton on ''Less Than Perfect'', Jeff Bingham on ''Rules of Engagement'' and Lem ...
,
Andy Dick
Andrew Roane Dick (born Andrew Thomlinson; December 21, 1965) is an American comedian, actor, musician, and television and film producer. Known professionally as a comic, his first regular television role was on the short-lived but influential ...
,
Rena Sofer Renas may refer to:
Places
*Rena, Badajoz, a municipality in Extremadura, Spain
*Rena, Norway, a village in Innlandet county, Norway
*Rena, Washington, a community in Clallam County, Washington, United States
People
*Rena (given name), list of pe ...
, and
Elaine Hendrix
Katherine Elaine Hendrix (born December 28, 1970) is an American actress. She is known for her roles in ''Superstar'', ''Romy and Michele's High School Reunion'', the 1995 ''Get Smart'' series, the 1998 remake of '' The Parent Trap'', ''Dynasty' ...
.
He had the main role in the action movie ''
The Butcher''.
He was acted in the psychological thriller film ''
Royal Kill
''Royal Kill'' (also released under the title ''Ninja's Creed'') is a 2009 American psychological action thriller film directed by Babar Ahmed and starring Eric Roberts and Pat Morita, along with Lalaine and professional wrestler Gail Kim. The ...
''. He also appeared in the Canadian-American thriller ''
Bloodwork''.
It was announced in June 2010 that he would be joining the cast of the
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...
soap opera ''
The Young and the Restless
''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in fictional Genoa City (not the real-life similarly-named Genoa City, Wi ...
'' starting July 12. The following month saw the release of the action film ''
The Expendables'' in which Roberts plays a lead villain. It was directed by and starred
Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Enzio Stallone (; born Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone, ) is an American actor and filmmaker. After his beginnings as a struggling actor for a number of years upon arriving to New York City in 1969 and later Hollywood in 1974, h ...
, with
Jason Statham
Jason Statham (; born 26 July 1967) is an English actor. He is known for portraying characters in various action-thriller films who are typically tough, hardboiled, gritty, or violent.
Statham began practising Chinese martial arts, kickboxing ...
,
Jet Li
Li Lianjie (courtesy name Yangzhong; born 26 April 1963), better known by his stage name Jet Li, is a Chinese film actor, film producer, Chinese martial arts, martial artist, and retired wushu (sport), Wushu champion. He is a naturalized Singapo ...
,
Steve Austin
Steve Austin (born Steven James Anderson; December 18, 1964), better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American media personality, actor, and retired professional wrestler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most ...
,
Gary Daniels
Gary Edward Daniels (born 9 May 1963) is an English actor, producer, martial artist, fight coordinator and former world light heavyweight kickboxing champion. Born and raised in London, England, Daniels started to take martial arts lessons at th ...
,
Dolph Lundgren
Hans Lundgren (, ; born 3 November 1957), better known as Dolph Lundgren, is a Swedish actor, filmmaker and martial artist. His breakthrough came in 1985, when he starred in ''Rocky IV'' as the imposing Soviet boxer Ivan Drago. Since then, Lu ...
,
Randy Couture
Randall Duane Couture (; born June 22, 1963) is an American actor, former U.S. Army sergeant, former mixed martial artist and former collegiate and Greco-Roman wrestler. During his tenures in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), he becam ...
,
Terry Crews
Terry Alan Crews (born July 30, 1968) is an American actor, television host, and former American footballer. He played Julius Rock in the UPN/ CW sitcom ''Everybody Hates Chris'', which aired from 2005 to 2009, and portrayed Terry Jeffords in ...
,
David Zayas
David Zayas (born August 15, 1962) is a Puerto Rican actor. He is best known for his roles as Angel Batista on Showtime's series '' Dexter'' and Enrique Morales on the HBO prison drama series '' Oz''.
Early life
Zayas was born in Ponce, Puer ...
, and
Mickey Rourke
Philip Andre "Mickey" Rourke Jr. (; born September 16, 1952) is an American actor and former boxer who has appeared primarily as a leading man in drama, action, and thriller films.
During the star of the 1980s, Rourke played supporting roles i ...
. The film is about a group of elite mercenaries called The Expendables (Stallone, Statham, Li, Lundgren, Couture, and Crews) who are on a mission to overthrow dictator General Garza (Zayas) in Vilena, an island in the
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico ( es, Golfo de México) is an oceanic basin, ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, largely surrounded by the North American continent. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of ...
. It is revealed that an ex-
CIA
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA ), known informally as the Agency and historically as the Company, is a civilian intelligence agency, foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States, officially tasked with gat ...
officer James Munroe (Roberts) is keeping Garza in power as a
figurehead
In politics, a figurehead is a person who ''de jure'' (in name or by law) appears to hold an important and often supremely powerful title or office, yet ''de facto'' (in reality) exercises little to no actual power. This usually means that they ...
for his own profiteering operations. With his two deadly bodyguards Dan Paine (Austin) and The Brit (Daniels), they become a major obstacle in the way of The Expendables. Later that year, he appeared with
Steve Austin
Steve Austin (born Steven James Anderson; December 18, 1964), better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American media personality, actor, and retired professional wrestler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most ...
and
Gary Daniels
Gary Edward Daniels (born 9 May 1963) is an English actor, producer, martial artist, fight coordinator and former world light heavyweight kickboxing champion. Born and raised in London, England, Daniels started to take martial arts lessons at th ...
, his co-stars from ''
The Expendables'', in the 2010 action film ''
Hunt to Kill
''Hunt to Kill'' is a 2010 Canadian-American direct-to-video action film starring Steve Austin, Gil Bellows, and Eric Roberts.
Plot
The film begins with border patrol agent Jim Rhodes and his partner Lee exploring a seemingly abandoned trailer ...
''. In October 2010, he played the major role in the American family movie ''First Dog'', which received positive reviews. December 2010 saw the premiere of the
fourth season of ''
Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew
''Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew'', later called simply ''Rehab with Dr. Drew'', is a reality television show that aired on the cable network VH1 in which many of the episodes chronicle a group of well-known people as they are treated for alco ...
'', which documented Roberts's struggle with dependency on
medical marijuana
Medical cannabis, or medical marijuana (MMJ), is cannabis and cannabinoids that are prescribed by physicians for their patients. The use of cannabis as medicine has not been rigorously tested due to production and governmental restrictions ...
.
His wife Eliza and his stepson
Keaton Simons
Keaton Simons (born July 20, 1978) is an American recording and performing artist. He is signed to Best Revenge Records, his independent label created in 2012. His music has been featured on shows such as ''Sons of Anarchy'', '' Hollywood Height ...
appeared in episode 6 to discuss the effects of his addiction on their lives.
In 2011, he guest-starred in
USA Network
USA Network (simply USA) is an American basic cable television channel owned by the NBCUniversal Television and Streaming division of Comcast's NBCUniversal through NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. It was originally launched in 1977 as Madison ...
's ''
Burn Notice'' season 5 finale ("Fail Safe") as an "off the books" spy recruiter. In parallel, the same year, he was acting in the drama and family film ''
Shannon's Rainbow
''Shannon's Rainbow'' (also listed as ''Amazing Racer'') is a 2009 drama and family film both produced and directed by Frank E. Johnson. It stars Julianne Michelle and Claire Forlani, with a musical score by Charles David Denler. '', based on Mowod's own experiences seeing his brother rehabilitate an injured horse and win a championship horse race.
[Larry Richert Plays Key Role In Making Major Movie]
, by John Shumway, KDKA accessed 12-29-2008 Later, this year, he was acted in the horror comedy anthology film ''
Chillerama'', consisting of four stories, which each segment is a homage to a different genre and style.
The movie was acclamed by critics and has gained a cult following.
Roberts starred in the 2012 mystery thriller ''
Deadline
Deadline(s) or The Deadline(s) may refer to:
* Time limit, a narrow field of time by which an objective must be accomplished
Arts, entertainment, and media Comics
* Deadline (DC Comics), a fictional villain
* ''Deadline'' (magazine), a British ...
'', playing the role of politically incorrect reporter Ronnie Bullock. He appeared in the horror film ''
Snow White: A Deadly Summer'', directed by
David DeCoteau
David DeCoteau (born January 5, 1962) is an American-Canadians, Canadian film director and film producer, producer.
Biography
Early life
David DeCoteau was born on January 5, 1962, in Portland, Oregon.
Career
He has worked professionally in th ...
.
He is featured as Uncle Shadrack, head of a Romani family, in 2012's ''The Finder'' on FOX. He had a recurring role in the TV series ''
The Finder'' as a gypsy who had the title of king among a gypsy community in southern Florida. The same year, he was starred in the catastrophe movie ''
The Mark''. He also appeared in the Christmas comedy film ''
Christmas in Compton
''Christmas in Compton'' is a 2012 Christmas comedy film starring Keith David and Omar Gooding. It was directed by David Raynr.
Plot
Derrick is an aspiring music producer whose major accomplishment is the discovery of DJ Killionaire, an artist ...
'', starring
Keith David
Keith David Williams (born June 4, 1956) is an American actor. He is known for his signature deep voice and commanding screen presence in over 300 roles across film, stage, television, and interactive media.
He has starred in such films as '' T ...
and
Omar Gooding
Omar Miles Gooding Sr., also known by his stage name, Big O[A Talking Cat!?!
''A Talking Cat!?!'' is a 2013 American independent family comedy film directed by David DeCoteau. The film was released direct to DVD on February 18, 2013, by Phase 4 Films and features Academy Award–nominated actor Eric Roberts as the voic ...](_blank)
'', directed by
David DeCoteau
David DeCoteau (born January 5, 1962) is an American-Canadians, Canadian film director and film producer, producer.
Biography
Early life
David DeCoteau was born on January 5, 1962, in Portland, Oregon.
Career
He has worked professionally in th ...
. In 2013, he had a small role in the film ''
Lovelace'', a biopic film about adult film actress
Linda Lovelace. The film had its
world premiere
A première, also spelled premiere, is the debut (first public presentation) of a play, film, dance, or musical composition.
A work will often have many premières: a world première (the first time it is shown anywhere in the world), its firs ...
on January 22, 2013, at the
2013 Sundance Film Festival and opened in a U.S.
limited release
__FORCETOC__
Limited theatrical release is a film distribution strategy of releasing a new film in a few theaters across a country, typically art house theaters in major metropolitan markets. Since 1994, a limited theatrical release in the Unite ...
on August 9, 2013. The same year, he was starred in the movie ''Pop Star'', including the actors
Christian Serratos
Christian Marie Serratos MovieTome ( born Bernardi, ; born September 21, 1990) is an American actress who played Rosita Espinosa in AMC's '' The Walking Dead'' TV series, based on the comic book of the same name. She is also known for playing Su ...
,
Robert Adamson,
Ross Thomas and
Rachele Brooke Smith
Rachele Brooke Smith (born November 7, 1987) is an American actress and dancer. She has starred in several films such as '' Center Stage: Turn It Up'', '' Bring It On: Fight to the Finish'', ''Atomic Shark
Atomic may refer to:
* Of or relating ...
. He had also in the drama film ''
Before I Sleep'', which received good critics and premiered in competition at the
Heartland Film Festival
The Heartland International Film Festival is a film festival held each October in Indianapolis, Indiana. The festival was first held in 1992, its goal is to "inspire filmmaker
Filmmaking (film production) is the process by which a motion pictu ...
on October 19, 2013.
On November 1, 2013, he had a major role in the thriller drama film ''
Assumed Killer
''Assumed Killer'' (also titled ''Assumed Memories'') is a 2013 American thriller drama film written and directed by Bernard Salzmann and starring Casper Van Dien, Barbie Castro, Armand Assante, Christie Lynn Smith and Eric Roberts. Salzmann and ...
'', starring and produced by
Casper Van Dien
Casper Robert Van Dien Jr. (born December 18, 1968) is an American actor. He is best known for his lead role as Johnny Rico in the 1997 science-fiction action film ''Starship Troopers''. He has also appeared in a large number of television and ...
. The movie received good review and had the film two stars out of five. On November 24, 2013, he had voiced in the short animated movie ''
Dante's Hell Animated
''Dante's Hell Animated'' is a 2013 American animated short film produced and directed by Boris Acosta.
The story is based on the first part of Dante Alighieri's ''Divine Comedy'' – '' Inferno''.
Plot
This film has two versions, narrated in En ...
''.
In 2014, he starred in neo-noir period comedy-drama film ''
Inherent Vice
''Inherent Vice'' is a novel by American author Thomas Pynchon, originally published in August 2009. A darkly comic detective novel set in 1970s California, the plot follows sleuth Larry "Doc" Sportello whose ex-girlfriend asks him to investiga ...
'', including
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (; né Bottom; born October 28, 1974) is an American actor. He is known for playing dark and unconventional characters in independent films. He has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academ ...
,
Josh Brolin
Joshua James Brolin (; born February 12, 1968) is an American actor. He has appeared in films such as ''The Goonies'' (1985), ''Mimic'' (1997), ''Hollow Man'' (2000), ''Grindhouse'' (2007), ''No Country for Old Men'' (2007), '' American Gangste ...
,
Owen Wilson
Owen Cunningham Wilson (born November 18, 1968) is an American actor. He has had a long association with filmmaker Wes Anderson with whom he shared writing and acting credits for '' Bottle Rocket'' (1996), '' Rushmore'' (1998), and '' The Royal ...
,
Katherine Waterston
Katherine Boyer Waterston (born March 3, 1980) is a British-American actress. She made her feature film debut in '' Michael Clayton'' (2007). She had supporting roles in films including '' Robot & Frank,'' ''Being Flynn'' (both 2012) and '' The ...
,
Reese Witherspoon
Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon (born March 22, 1976) is an American actress and producer. The recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards, she ...
,
Benicio del Toro
Benicio Monserrate Rafael del Toro Sánchez (born February 19, 1967) is a Puerto Rican actor and producer. He has garnered critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, two Screen A ...
,
Jena Malone
Jena Laine Malone (; born November 21, 1984) is an American actress, musician, and photographer. Known for her roles in both independent films and mainstream blockbuster features, she has received numerous accolades, including nominations for a ...
,
Joanna Newsom,
Jeannie Berlin
Jeannie Berlin (born Jeannie Brette May; November 1, 1949) is an American film, television and stage actress and screenwriter, the daughter of Elaine May. She is best-known for her role in the 1972 comedy film '' The Heartbreak Kid'', for which sh ...
,
Maya Rudolph
Maya Rudolph (born July 27, 1972) is an American actress, comedian, and singer. In 2000, she became a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show ''Saturday Night Live'' (''SNL''), and later played supporting roles in the films '' 50 First Dates'' ...
,
Michael K. Williams
Michael Kenneth Williams (November 22, 1966 – September 6, 2021) was an American actor. He rose to fame in 2002 through his critically acclaimed role as Omar Little on the HBO drama series ''The Wire''. He has been described as a "singular pr ...
, and
Martin Short
Martin Hayter Short (born March 26, 1950) is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, and writer. He has received various awards including two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award. In 2019 Short became an Officer of the Order of Canada.
He ...
.
''Inherent Vice'' premiered at the
New York Film Festival
The New York Film Festival (NYFF) is a film festival held every fall in New York City, presented by Film at Lincoln Center (FLC). Founded in 1963 by Richard Roud and Amos Vogel with the support of Lincoln Center president William Schuman, it is ...
on October 4, 2014, and began a limited theatrical release in the United States on December 12, 2014. Critical reception was divided; while some argued the film had a convoluted plot and lacked coherence, others praised the cast, particularly Brolin, Phoenix and Waterston. The film was nominated for a number of awards, including two
Academy Awards
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
and a
Best Actor Golden Globe Award for Phoenix. The
National Board of Review
The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures is a non-profit organization of New York City area film enthusiasts. Its awards, which are announced in early December, are considered an early harbinger of the film awards season that culminat ...
named it one of the
ten best films of the year. Some critics have said that ''Inherent Vice'' has the makings of a
cult film
A cult film or cult movie, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film that has acquired a cult following. Cult films are known for their dedicated, passionate fanbase which forms an elaborate subculture, members of which engage ...
. In 2016, it was voted the 75th best film since 2000 in
an international critics' poll.
The drama film ''
Starcrossed'', co-starring
Mischa Barton
Mischa Anne Marsden Barton (born 24 January 1986) is a British-American film, television, and stage actress. She began her career on the stage, appearing in Tony Kushner's ''Slavs!'' and took the lead in James Lapine's '' Twelve Dreams'' at Ne ...
, premiered at the San Diego International Film Festival on 28 September 2014. This was followed by a limited
theatrical release An art release is the premiere of an artistic production and its presentation and marketing to the public.
Film
A film release is the authorization by the owner of a completed film to a public exhibition of the film. The exhibition may be in theat ...
in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
in May 2016. He had also a role in the small-budget indie film ''
The Opposite Sex
''The Opposite Sex'' is a 1956 American musical romantic comedy film shot in Metrocolor and CinemaScope. The film was directed by David Miller and stars June Allyson, Joan Collins, Dolores Gray, Ann Sheridan, and Ann Miller, with Leslie Ni ...
'', starring
, Mena Suvari, Jennifer Finnigan, and Geoff Stults, which received favorable reviews.
Between 2014 and 2015 Roberts played the recurring character Charles Forstman in the TV legal drama ''
Suits''.
In 2015, he appeared in season 5 of ''Lost Girl'', a Canadian TV show on ''Showcase (Canadian TV channel), Showcase'', as the main character, Bo's, father. In 2015 he appeared in the Rihanna video "Bitch Better Have My Money" and in Chris Cornell's video for "Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart."
The Nigerian comedy drama movie ''A Trip to Jamaica'', starring Eric Roberts, Ayo Makun, Funke Akindele, Nse Ikpe Etim, and Dan Davies, had its worldwide premiere on September 25, 2016 in Lagos State. In November 2016, the film was reported to have grossed 168 million naira, breaking the previous record set by ''30 Days in Atlanta''. It also broke records for the first film to hit 35 million in first weekend, the first film to hit 62 million in its first week, the fastest film to gross 100 million (17 days) and the fastest film to gross 150 million (six weeks). It opened at the Odeon Cinemas in London in December 2016 and became the highest-grossing film that weekend in London while also becoming the highest per screen average film in the UK during its limited run. It won the Africa Entertainment Legends Award (AELA) for Best Cinema Film of 2016 and received four nominations at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, including categories for best actress in a comedy, best writer, best movie (West Africa) and best actor in a comedy. The award show was held in March 2017 in Lagos State. The same year, Roberts was featured in season 4 of the hit American TV show ''Brooklyn Nine-Nine''; he portrayed the character of Jimmy Figgis. He played Robert Avery in ''Grey's Anatomy''.
In 2017, he had a major role in the horror thriller film ''
The Institute'', alongside James Franco and Pamela Anderson.
Roberts is a Ficore member of SAG-AFTRA and works on union as well as non-union projects.
In 2018, he appeared in the third series of UK Channel4 reality show ''Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls'' where he completed the 4 weeks on the island. The same year, he also featured in the video of Enrique Iglesias' latest track "El Baño" as a bartender. He had a role in the drama film ''Papa (2018 film), Papa'', alongside Robert Scott Wilson, Paul Sorvino, Daryl Hannah,
Mischa Barton
Mischa Anne Marsden Barton (born 24 January 1986) is a British-American film, television, and stage actress. She began her career on the stage, appearing in Tony Kushner's ''Slavs!'' and took the lead in James Lapine's '' Twelve Dreams'' at Ne ...
, Frankie Avalon, Ann-Margret, and Michael Madsen which received favorables reviews. In 2018, he acted in the movie ''
Head Full of Honey'' which stars Matt Dillon.
In a 2018 ''Vanity Fair (magazine), Vanity Fair'' interview, Roberts traced his prolific filmography to when he stopped getting consistent offers from major film studios and started doing B movies. “I start making a bunch of B movies—bam bam bam bam bam bam—one after the other, and then suddenly two, three years have passed, and I made like 30 films in two, three years," Roberts recalled.
In 2019, he starred in the crime thriller drama ''Night Walk (2019 film), Night Walk'', starring
Mickey Rourke
Philip Andre "Mickey" Rourke Jr. (; born September 16, 1952) is an American actor and former boxer who has appeared primarily as a leading man in drama, action, and thriller films.
During the star of the 1980s, Rourke played supporting roles i ...
. He had a major role in the action movie ''The Reliant'', alongside Kevin Sorbo. He also appears on the sci-fi movie ''The Immortal Wars: Resurgence''. He acted in the crime/thriller ''90 Feet From Home'', including Dean Cain. He also played a supporting role in the family movie ''A Karate Christmas Miracle''. Also in 2019, 23 years after initially playing the role, Roberts reprised his version of the Master, working with Big Finish Productions. He made his debut in series 5 of the spinoff series, ''The Diary of River Song''. Later that year, he appeared in the finale of the Eighth Doctor story line, ''Ravenous,'' once more working opposite Paul McGann.
In 2020, he starred in several movies including ''Reboot Camp'', ''Angels Fallen'', ''The Unbreakable Sword'', ''Deported'', ''Collision Earth'', ''Hayalet : 3 Yasam'' and ''Top Gunner''. Furthermore, he starred in the DC Comics short movie ''Pamela & Ivy'' and appeared in the fan-made movie ''Gambit: Playing for Keeps''.
In January 2021, Roberts reprised the role of the Master in ''Masterful,'' a special audio drama release celebrating the 50th anniversary of the debut of that character. In March 2021, he appeared in his own spinoff series, ''Master!'' as well. The same year, he took part in the horror movie ''Escape to the Cove'', appeared in the acclaimed short drama ''The Sleepless'', guest starred again in season 17, episode 14 on the TV show ''Grey's Anatomy'', acted in the comedy ''Peach Cobbler'', starred in the TV movie ''Mommy's Deadly Con Artist''. He was also involved in the drama movie ''After Masks'', the horror film ''616 Wilford Lane'' and the comedy ''Mr. Birthday''.
Personal life
Roberts is a vegan and supporter of animal rights.
He holds a Black belt (martial arts), black belt in Taekwondo and has demonstrated his skills as a fighter in the Best of the Best (1989 film), ''Best of the Best'' franchise.
Relationships and family
A 1989 profile of actress Sandy Dennis in ''People (American magazine), People'' says she had a live-in relationship with Roberts for five years at a seven-bedroom house she rented in Connecticut.
The relationship began several years after her 1974 parting from boyfriend Gerry Mulligan, a jazz musician who had lived with Dennis in the same house (whose Connecticut location was identified as Westport or Wilton in different ''People'' magazine articles).
In 1981, some months after Roberts began living with Dennis, he was in a debilitating car accident near their home.
His ordeal was described by ''People'' magazine years later as “a month-long hospital stay after a bad car accident in 1981. ‘I tried to climb a tree in a CJ-5 [brand name for his Jeep],’ he says. Leaving the Wilton, Conn, house of his then girlfriend, actress Sandy Dennis, 44 at the time, Eric hopped into his doorless Jeep for a ride with her German shepherd. The dog leaned out too far. Roberts released the steering wheel to get a hold on the wayward pooch and ended up in a coma for three days.”
Dennis, an animal lover who cared for a lot of dogs and cats, was relieved to learn her German shepherd was not injured in the accident. After Roberts recovered, his live-in relationship with Dennis lasted a few more years.
Roberts has a daughter, Emma Roberts, Emma, from a live-in relationship with Kelly Cunningham;
Emma was born on February 10, 1991.
She eventually became an actress as well, making her major-film debut at age 10 in the 2001 drama ''Blow (film), Blow''.
After Roberts's relationship with Cunningham, he married Eliza Garrett (daughter of actors David Rayfiel and Lila Garrett) in 1992. His stepson,
Keaton Simons
Keaton Simons (born July 20, 1978) is an American recording and performing artist. He is signed to Best Revenge Records, his independent label created in 2012. His music has been featured on shows such as ''Sons of Anarchy'', '' Hollywood Height ...
, is a singer-songwriter, and his stepdaughter, Morgan Simons, is a chef. Roberts became a grandfather for the first time in December of 2020 when Emma gave birth to her first child, a son named Rhodes, with actor Garrett Hedlund.
On January 12, 2001, Roberts visited ''Howard Stern television shows#The Howard Stern Radio Show, The Howard Stern Radio Show'' with Garrett, during a segment called "The Gossip Game" with Mike Walker (columnist), Mike Walker of the ''National Enquirer.'' He confirmed that he and his sister, Julia Roberts, Julia, had been estranged for several years. The source of the estrangement had been his past drug abuse and her siding with his ex-girlfriend over the custody of his daughter. In 2004, he told People (magazine), ''People'' magazine that he and his sister reconciled when he visited her in the hospital after she gave birth to twins.
Legal issues
In 1987, Roberts was arrested for possession of cocaine and marijuana, and resisting arrest after he tried to assault a New York Police Department, New York police officer.
In February 1995, Roberts was arrested for shoving his wife into a wall.
References
External links
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Official channelon YouTube
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The Oracle of Bacon - The Center of the Hollywood Universe
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Eric
1956 births
American people of Scandinavian descent
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American male actors
American male film actors
American male soap opera actors
American male television actors
American male voice actors
American male taekwondo practitioners
Living people
Male actors from Atlanta
Male actors from Mississippi
People from Biloxi, Mississippi
American people of English descent
American people of German descent
American people of Irish descent
American people of Scottish descent
American people of Swedish descent
American people of Welsh descent
Roberts family (acting), Eric