Eric Roberts

Eric Roberts

Eric Roberts (Eric Anthony Roberts) was born on April 18th, 1957 and is currently 67 years old. Eric Roberts was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, USA.

Eric Roberts is an American television, movie, stage, and voice actor. He is famously known for his roles in Paul’s Case and King of the Gypsies. He also played Salvator Maroni, a Gotham Gangster in The Dark Knight movie. Roberts was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and a single Academy Award.

His first acting role was when he was just a child. He was cast in a local Sunday morning TV show The Little Pioneers. His first major break came in 1976 when he was cast as Ted Bancroft in the TV show Another World. But that job wasn’t his favorite, so he turned to the stage. Soon he was discovered by Bill Treusch, who helped him land his first film job. Roberts then appeared in Raggedy Man (1981).

In June 1981, he was involved in a car crash that left him with broken bones and major facial trauma. As a result of the facial trauma, Roberts' face was altered, and his roles in movies changed. He began playing villain roles, which ultimately led to a breakout performance in Star 80. He was nominated for an Oscar in 1985 for his role as Buck McGeehy in the movie Runaway Train. By the late 1980s, his career began to consist of direct-to-video releases and B-movies. He made a comeback in 1996 with the movie It’s My Party. He has since appeared in numerous films and TV shows. He has also earned himself supporting roles in movies such as The Expendables and The Dark Knight.

Eric Roberts published Runaway Train and gives readers a no-holds-barred glimpse into his life—a journey through fame, addiction, family tension, and redemption. Roberts digs into the rollercoaster of a Hollywood career that saw both tremendous highs and devastating lows. Roberts' childhood was shaped by a complex family dynamic. Living with his single father, he faced early struggles with family loyalty and ambition.

By 17, he left for New York to chase his acting dreams and eventually worked alongside famous figures like Mickey Rourke, Robin Williams, and Christopher Walken. His talent quickly garnered attention, which launched him into Hollywood’s limelight and led to acclaimed performances in Star 80 and Runaway Train, earning him an Oscar nomination.

Roberts openly discusses the darker side of his success: an addiction to cocaine that threatened to end his career after a harrowing car accident. His substance abuse and its impact on his career are depicted with brutal clarity. His relationship with his sister, Julia, grew increasingly strained, as did his bond with his daughter, Emma Roberts. He shares insights into the conflicts and misunderstandings that complicated these family ties. With the support of his wife, Eric managed to rebuild his life and achieved a new kind of success in indie films, and was cherished among fellow actors for his skill and resilience. Today, he’s celebrated as an “actor’s actor,” valued for his raw talent and his hard-won perspective on life.

Eric Roberts' Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far is a memoir for fans of Hollywood’s untold stories. It’s more than just a tell-all, it’s a tale of survival, fame, and finding peace in the middle of the chaos.

Eric Roberts: F.A.Q