History of Eric Roberts in Timeline
Eric Anthony Roberts is a highly prolific American actor with a career spanning five decades. He has appeared in over 700 productions, ranging from major motion pictures to independent films, television shows, and even music videos. His extensive filmography makes him one of the most prolific English-speaking actors ever.
April 18, 1956: Birth of Eric Roberts
Eric Anthony Roberts was born in Biloxi, Mississippi on April 18, 1956.
1963: Founding of Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop
In 1963, Eric Roberts' parents, Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts, established the Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop.
1971: Divorce of Parents
Eric Roberts' parents initiated divorce proceedings in 1971.
1972: Finalization of Parents' Divorce and Remarriage of Mother
The divorce of Eric Roberts' parents was finalized in early 1972. Later that year, his mother, Betty Lou, married Michael Motes.
1974: Acting Debut in "How to Survive a Marriage"
Eric Roberts made his acting debut in 1974 with an appearance on the soap opera "How to Survive a Marriage.
1976: Birth of Half-Sister, Nancy Motes
Nancy Motes, Eric Roberts' half-sister, was born in 1976 to his mother, Betty Lou, and stepfather, Michael Motes.
March 1977: Death of Walter Grady Roberts
Walter Grady Roberts, Eric Roberts' father, passed away in March 1977 after battling cancer.
June 17, 1977: Role as Ted Bancroft in "Another World"
From February 14 to June 17, 1977, Roberts originated the role of Ted Bancroft on the NBC daytime soap opera "Another World."
1978: Golden Globe Nomination for "King of the Gypsies"
Eric Roberts' career gained momentum with his leading role in "King of the Gypsies" in 1978, which earned him his first Golden Globe Award nomination.
1981: Car accident and relationship with Sandy Dennis
In 1981, shortly after he began living with Sandy Dennis, Eric Roberts was involved in a serious car accident while driving Dennis's Jeep with her German Shepherd. The accident left him in a coma for three days. Despite the accident, their relationship continued for several more years. Different sources cite Roberts' alleged affair with Ellen Barkin and disagreements over starting an animal shelter as reasons for their eventual separation.
1983: Divorce of Betty Lou Motes and Michael Motes
Citing cruelty, Eric Roberts' mother, Betty Lou, divorced Michael Motes in 1983.
1983: Critical Acclaim for "Star 80"
Roberts received his second Golden Globe nomination in 1983 for his performance as Paul Snider in the biographical drama "Star 80," directed by Bob Fosse.
1985: Academy Award Nomination for "Runaway Train"
His performance as escaped convict Buck McGeehy in the 1985 film "Runaway Train" garnered significant critical acclaim, earning him both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
December 1987: Arrested in New York City
In December 1987, Eric Roberts was arrested in Manhattan's Upper West Side after being found banging on the door of a woman's apartment. He faced charges of criminal trespass, possession of cocaine and marijuana, and assault for punching a police officer.
1987: Theatre World Award for "Burn This"
In 1987, Eric Roberts received the Theatre World Award for his performance in the Broadway production of "Burn This," marking his debut on Broadway.
February 1988: Pleads guilty to harassment
In February 1988, Eric Roberts pleaded guilty to harassment charges stemming from his December 1987 arrest. He received a sentence of six months probation. The drug possession and assault charges were dropped.
1989: Relationship with Sandy Dennis revealed
In 1989, a People magazine profile on actress Sandy Dennis revealed that she had been in a five-year live-in relationship with Eric Roberts. This relationship began some years after Dennis's separation from her boyfriend, jazz musician Gerry Mulligan, in 1974, with whom she had shared a home in Connecticut.
February 10, 1991: Daughter Emma Roberts is born
Emma Roberts, Eric Roberts' daughter with Kelly Cunningham, was born on February 10, 1991. Emma would later follow in her father's footsteps to become an actress, making her major film debut in the 2001 drama "Blow".
1992: Marries Eliza Garrett
Eric Roberts married Eliza Garrett, the daughter of screenwriters David Rayfiel and Lila Garrett, in 1992.
February 1995: Arrested for domestic violence
Eric Roberts was arrested in Los Angeles in February 1995 for shoving his wife, Eliza, into a wall.
1996: Portrayal of the Master in "Doctor Who" and Perry Smith in "In Cold Blood"
In 1996, Roberts took on the role of the Master in the "Doctor Who" television film, notably being the only non-UK actor to do so. He also starred as Perry Smith in the miniseries adaptation of "In Cold Blood," garnering a Satellite Award nomination for his performance.
1997: Role as the Archangel Michael in "The Prophecy II"
In "The Prophecy II" (1997), Roberts portrayed the character of the Archangel Michael.
1998: Starring Role in "C-16" and "Tripfall"
Throughout 1997 and 1998, Roberts held a starring role in the television series "C-16." He also shared the screen with John Ritter in the 1998 film "Tripfall."
2000: Role as a Serial Killer in "The Flying Dutchman"
In 2000, Roberts took on a dark role, portraying a serial killer in the film "The Flying Dutchman."
January 12, 2001: Discusses estrangement from Julia Roberts on "The Howard Stern Show"
On January 12, 2001, during an appearance on "The Howard Stern Radio Show", Eric Roberts publicly addressed his estrangement from his sister, Julia Roberts. He attributed the rift to his past drug use and Julia's support for his ex-girlfriend in a custody dispute over his daughter.
2001: Emma Roberts debuts in "Blow"
In 2001, Emma Roberts made her major film debut at the age of 10 in the drama "Blow".
2002: Appearance in Ja Rule Music Videos
Eric Roberts made appearances in two of Ja Rule's music videos in 2002: "Down Ass Bitch" and its sequel, "Down 4 U," playing the role of an FBI detective.
2003: Appearance in The Killers' "Mr. Brightside" Music Video
Roberts appeared in the music video for The Killers' hit song "Mr. Brightside" in 2003.
2004: Reconciliation with Julia Roberts
After a period of estrangement, Eric Roberts reconciled with his sister, actress Julia Roberts, in 2004.
2004: Reconciles with Julia Roberts
In a 2004 interview with People magazine, Eric Roberts revealed that he and his sister, Julia, had reconciled. Their reconciliation occurred when he visited her in the hospital after the birth of her twins.
2005: Appearances in Mariah Carey Music Videos
Eric Roberts made appearances in two music videos for Mariah Carey in 2005: "We Belong Together" and "It's Like That."
2006: Notable Roles in Film and Music Videos
In 2006, Roberts starred in the critically acclaimed drama "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints," which performed well both critically and commercially. He also appeared in Akon's music video for "Smack That," featuring Eminem. The same year, he had roles in the romantic comedy "Phat Girlz" and the martial arts action film "DOA: Dead or Alive."
January 2007: Starring Role in "Pandemic" and Other Appearances
In early January 2007, Roberts starred as the mayor of Los Angeles in the miniseries "Pandemic." He also appeared in Godhead's music video for "Hey You" and as a panelist on the television game show "Hollywood Squares."
July 18, 2008: Role as Sal Maroni in "The Dark Knight"
On July 18, 2008, Eric Roberts appeared in the blockbuster superhero film "The Dark Knight" as Sal Maroni, a Gotham City Mafia boss.
February 2009: Mickey Rourke Praises Eric Roberts and Career Resurgence Hopes
In February 2009, Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke expressed his hope for Eric Roberts' career comeback, drawing parallels to Rourke's own revitalized career following "The Wrestler."
June 2010: Eric Roberts Joins "The Young and the Restless" Cast
It was announced in June 2010 that Eric Roberts would be joining the cast of the CBS soap opera "The Young and the Restless," with his first appearance scheduled for July 12th.
October 2010: "First Dog" Starring Eric Roberts Receives Positive Reviews
Eric Roberts starred in the American family movie "First Dog" in October 2010, which was met with positive reviews.
December 2010: Eric Roberts' Journey on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" Season 4
The fourth season of "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" premiered in December 2010, documenting Eric Roberts' battle with dependency on medical marijuana. His wife, Eliza, and stepson, Keaton Simons, were featured in episode 6 to discuss the impact of his addiction on their lives.
2011: Eric Roberts Stars in "Shannon's Rainbow" and "Chillerama"
In 2011, Eric Roberts guest-starred in the season 5 finale of USA Network's "Burn Notice" as a covert spy recruiter. He also starred in the drama and family film "Shannon's Rainbow" and the horror comedy anthology "Chillerama," which garnered critical acclaim and achieved cult status.
2012: Eric Roberts Stars in "Deadline," "The Finder," and "Christmas in Compton"
Eric Roberts took on various roles in 2012, including starring as politically incorrect reporter Ronnie Bullock in the mystery thriller "Deadline," appearing in the horror film "Snow White: A Deadly Summer," and portraying Uncle Shadrack, the head of a Romani family, in FOX's "The Finder." He also had a recurring role in "The Finder" as a gypsy king in southern Florida. Additionally, he starred in the catastrophe movie "The Mark" and the Christmas comedy "Christmas in Compton," which received positive reviews.
2012: Reprising Role in The Killers' "Miss Atomic Bomb" Music Video
In 2012, Roberts reprised his role from The Killers' 2003 "Mr. Brightside" music video in their new video for the single "Miss Atomic Bomb."
January 22, 2013: "Lovelace" Premieres at Sundance Film Festival
Eric Roberts had a role in the biopic "Lovelace," about adult film actress Linda Lovelace. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2013.
February 18, 2013: Eric Roberts Stars in Children's Film "A Talking Cat!?!"
On February 18, 2013, Eric Roberts was featured in the independent children's film "A Talking Cat!?!," directed by David DeCoteau.
August 9, 2013: "Lovelace" Opens in Limited US Release
Following its Sundance premiere, "Lovelace" opened in a limited US release on August 9, 2013.
October 19, 2013: "Before I Sleep" Premieres at Heartland Film Festival
Eric Roberts starred in the drama film "Before I Sleep," which premiered at the Heartland Film Festival on October 19, 2013, and received positive reviews.
November 1, 2013: "Assumed Killer" Starring Eric Roberts and Casper Van Dien Releases
Eric Roberts played a significant role in the thriller drama "Assumed Killer," starring and produced by Casper Van Dien, which was released on November 1, 2013, and received mixed reviews.
November 24, 2013: Eric Roberts Lends Voice to Animated Short "Dante's Hell Animated"
On November 24, 2013, Eric Roberts provided voice work for the short animated film "Dante's Hell Animated."
February 9, 2014: Death of Nancy Motes
Eric Roberts' half-sister, Nancy Motes, passed away on February 9, 2014, at the age of 37.
September 28, 2014: "Starcrossed" Premieres at San Diego International Film Festival
The drama film "Starcrossed," featuring Eric Roberts and Mischa Barton, premiered at the San Diego International Film Festival on September 28, 2014.
2014: Eric Roberts Joins "Suits" Cast as Charles Forstman
Eric Roberts took on the recurring role of Charles Forstman in the TV legal drama "Suits" from 2014 to 2015.
2015: Eric Roberts Continues Role in "Suits"
Eric Roberts continued his role as Charles Forstman in the TV legal drama "Suits" in 2015.
2015: Eric Roberts Appears in Music Videos for Rihanna and Chris Cornell
In 2015, Eric Roberts appeared in Rihanna's music video for "Bitch Better Have My Money" and Chris Cornell's video for "Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart." He also had a role in season 5 of the Canadian TV show "Lost Girl" as the main character's father.
May 2016: "Starcrossed" Sees Limited Theatrical Release in Los Angeles
Following its festival premiere, "Starcrossed" received a limited theatrical release in Los Angeles in May 2016.
September 25, 2016: "A Trip to Jamaica" Premieres in Lagos, Nigeria
"A Trip to Jamaica," a Nigerian comedy-drama film starring Eric Roberts, premiered globally on September 25, 2016, in Lagos State.
November 2016: "A Trip to Jamaica" Breaks Box Office Records in Nigeria
By November 2016, "A Trip to Jamaica" had become a box office hit in Nigeria, surpassing previous records and achieving milestones for its fast accumulation of earnings.
December 2016: "A Trip to Jamaica" Opens at Odeon Cinemas in London
"A Trip to Jamaica" opened at Odeon Cinemas in London in December 2016, becoming the highest-grossing film that weekend and achieving the highest per-screen average during its limited UK run.
March 2017: "A Trip to Jamaica" Wins Award and Receives Nominations at Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
"A Trip to Jamaica" won the Africa Entertainment Legends Award for Best Cinema Film of 2016 and received four nominations at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards in March 2017.
2017: Eric Roberts Stars in Horror Thriller "The Institute"
Eric Roberts had a significant role in the horror thriller film "The Institute," which also starred James Franco and Pamela Anderson, in 2017.
2018: Vanity Fair Interview
In 2018, Eric Roberts gave an interview with Vanity Fair where he discussed his prolific filmography, attributing it to his shift towards starring in B movies after a decline in offers from major studios. He highlighted his work as an executive producer and actor in "Beverly Hills Bandits" alongside Ron Jeremy and Natasha Alam.
2018: Eric Roberts Appears in Enrique Iglesias' Music Video and Stars in Films
In 2018, Eric Roberts participated in the third series of the UK Channel 4 reality show "Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls," completing the four-week challenge. He also appeared as a bartender in Enrique Iglesias' music video for "El Baño." Additionally, he acted in the drama film "Papa," which garnered favorable reviews, and the movie "Head Full of Honey," starring Matt Dillon.
2019: Various film appearances
In 2019, Eric Roberts appeared in several films across different genres. He starred in "Night Walk" with Mickey Rourke, had a major role in "The Reliant" alongside Kevin Sorbo, and appeared in "The Immortal Wars: Resurgence". He also starred in "90 Feet From Home" with Dean Cain and took a supporting role in the family film "A Karate Christmas Miracle".
December 2020: Becomes a grandfather
Eric Roberts became a grandfather in December 2020 when his daughter Emma Roberts gave birth to her first child, a son named Rhodes, with actor Garrett Hedlund.
2020: Continued film appearances
Eric Roberts maintained a busy acting schedule in 2020, starring in a variety of movies including "Reboot Camp", "Angels Fallen", "The Unbreakable Sword", "Deported", "Collision Earth", "Hayalet: 3 Yasam", and "Top Gunner". He also appeared in the DC Comics short film "Pamela & Ivy" and the fan-made movie "Gambit: Playing for Keeps".
January 2021: Reprises Master role in "Masterful"
In January 2021, Eric Roberts reprised his role as the Master in "Masterful", a special audio drama by Big Finish Productions commemorating the 50th anniversary of the character's debut.
March 2021: Stars in "Master!" spinoff series
Eric Roberts continued his portrayal of the Master in March 2021 with his own spinoff series, "Master!", also produced by Big Finish Productions.
2022: Expresses support for Ukraine and reveals career impact
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Eric Roberts publicly declared his support for Ukraine. He shared that this stance led to him being "canceled" in Russia, where he had been a prominent figure, resulting in a significant loss of income. Consequently, he shifted his focus to working in other countries.
2022: Joins "The Righteous Gemstones" cast
In 2022, Eric Roberts joined the cast of HBO's "The Righteous Gemstones" in a recurring role for the show's second season.
2023: Family history revealed on "Finding Your Roots"
An episode of "Finding Your Roots" featuring Julia Roberts in 2023 revealed that her and Eric's biological paternal great-great-grandfather's surname was Mitchell, not Roberts.
2023: Guest stars in "South Wind: On the Edge"
Eric Roberts appeared as a guest star in the second season of the Serbian crime drama series "South Wind: On the Edge", joining Miloš Biković and William Baldwin.
September 2024: Competes on "Dancing with the Stars"
Eric Roberts is set to compete on season 33 of "Dancing with the Stars", partnering with Britt Stewart, premiering in September 2024.
September 17, 2024: Memoir "Runaway Train" to be published
Eric Roberts' memoir, "Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far", co-written with Vanity Fair contributor Sam Kashner, is scheduled for publication on September 17, 2024, by St. Martin's Press.
2024: Prolific Acting Career
As of 2024, Eric Roberts is recognized as one of the most prolific English-speaking screen actors of all time, with over 700 credits to his name.