When Eric Roberts takes over the role of Adam’s lawyer, Vance Abrams, on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS on Friday, July 23, his character has his work cut out for him given the multitude of crimes that Adam’s committed. How can he defend the sociopath? “It’s not really ‘defending,’” Roberts insists. “It’s defeating the opponent. That’s what law has become.”
Roberts had his work cut out for him also: “I had 22 pages on my first day,” he recalls. “Nine of them were speeches. The other 13 were cross-examinations and what have you. I got in a huge sweat and was introduced to the nicest people I’ve ever met in my career. This cast and crew, especially Michael Muhney (Adam), swept in and took care of me. They were like, ‘Eric, we know where you are.’ We did three shows in two days. I needed a village [to help me] and I got one!”
Changing Gears
Roberts is one of Hollywood’s busiest actors. His long list of credits includes HEROES, CRASH and LESS THAN PERFECT, the Batman franchise’s The Dark Knight and an Academy Award nomination for his role in1985’s Runaway Train. Still, he admits that he faced a certain stigma when people learned he’d signed up again for daytime. (He previously appeared on ANOTHER WORLD as Ted Bancroft back in the late ’70s.) “Everyone and their mother told me, ‘You’re going to ruin your career,’” the actor shares. “I said, ‘What career?’ I’m lucky to have a job that I like.”
Yo, Eric!
Roberts can be seen in the upcoming film The Expendables, alongside Sylvester Stallone. (The two previously appeared in The Specialist together.) “It’s Sly’s monster of a movie,” Roberts previews. “He wrote it, produced it and is starring in it. I was thrilled to be offered another movie with Sylvester. I feel complimented.” The Expendables hits movie theaters on Friday, August 13.
Then on Saturday, August 14, Roberts can be seen playing yet another lawyer in the Hallmark Channel film Class, starring Justin Bruening (ex-Jamie, ALL MY CHILDREN) as his law-student son.
Leading Lady?
Vance has got his hands full defending Adam, but the legal eagle just might have to make room in his schedule for a love interest. “There’s a small moment I had with one of the show’s writers,” teases the actor, who was asked, “What’s my favorite -- blonde, redhead or brunette? I said, ‘Well, I married a redhead [actress Eliza Roberts].’”
Hmm… are there any newly-single carrot tops in Genoa City these days? Stay tuned!
Eric Roberts
