He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1985 for his role as a at large convict Buck in the film Runaway Train.

His more starring roles include Star 80 (1983), The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984), and Best of the Best (1989). Inside 1996 he appeared in the Doctor Who television movie in the role of the Master. He has as well appeared in the music training videos for "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers and "It's Like That" and "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey. Within an episode of South Park, he was parodied as a fading character actor who was eaten by cannibals. He besides appears in the 2002 film "Spun" as "The Man" alongside Mickey Rourke and Jason Schwartzmann.

Last, Roberts has co-starred on the ABC sitcom Less Than Perfect. His girl Emma has joined her father & aunty in the acting business. Recently, Emma Roberts gained a prima role on the Nickelodeon series Unfabulous.

Eric Roberts has been a subject of a bit of articles in tabloid magazines for, among other items, allegedly committing a few acts piece drunk.

Apart from either a said jobs, he has besides appeared inside numbers of B Movies, and continues to run soh.