Eric Roberts Breaks Silence on Surprise Comeback Role and Untold Family Drama

Hollywood veteran Eric Roberts is enjoying a fresh wave of attention after a candid new interview reminded fans why the Oscar-nominated star remains one of the industry’s most prolific—and resilient—performers. During an appearance on the “It Happened in Hollywood” podcast, the 69-year-old revealed he once believed a devastating 1981 car crash—and the coma that followed—had ended his career. That outlook changed when legendary director Bob Fosse cast him as Paul Snider in 1983’s true-crime drama “Star 80,” a role that earned Roberts a Golden Globe nod and reignited his passion for acting. Roberts told PEOPLE he initially found the script “too black and white” but worked through multiple callbacks before securing the part, ultimately spending three months researching with Fosse to humanize the story’s notorious antagonist. The experience not only restored his confidence but also launched a marathon résumé: Roberts has since logged more than 700 film and television credits, ranging from “Runaway Train” and “The Dark Knight” to recent festival favorite “Clika.” The renewed spotlight arrives as public curiosity about Roberts’ famous family intensifies. In a separate PEOPLE interview released this week, the actor dismissed long-running rumors of friction with younger sister Julia Roberts, calling the Oscar winner “a cool chick” and insisting any talk of a feud “never was true”. Beyond family headlines, Roberts continues to prove his work ethic is as unstoppable as ever. Recent roles include voice work, indie thrillers and a slate of streaming projects that keep the “Star 80” standout on set “eight to 30 times” a day, according to his own estimate. With fan interest spiking, search traffic surging and new offers arriving daily, Eric Roberts’ unexpected second act is turning into one of 2026’s most compelling Hollywood comeback stories—and the numbers suggest viewers still can’t get enough.