Quick Facts
Biography
Michael D. Roberts (born December 25, 1947) is an American actor.
Career
Roberts played the role of "Rooster" in the 1970s television series Baretta. Roberts starred in the short-lived 1980s television series Manimal, appearing in five of the eight episodes which aired, as Tyrone C. Earl. His first television role was a guest appearance on the 1970s television series Good Times. In 1977, he moved to feature films when he played "Deputy Johnson" in Herowork.
Roberts went on to appear in many other TV shows and films. He starred in the final Steve McQueen film The Hunter (1980). Later on, he starred in the 1984 science fiction film The Ice Pirates as Roscoe. In 1988, Roberts played the role of Vern in the hit film Rain Man. More recently, he appeared in the 2006 film American Dreamz and the 2008 film Street Kings.
Roberts has made many guest appearances in television shows. In the 1980s TV series Knight Rider, he appeared in the pilot episode "Knight of the Phoenix" as Jackson, one of the two car thieves who end up stealing KITT. His other appearances include Bosom Buddies, Quantum Leap, The Incredible Hulk, Double Trouble, Friends, MacGyver, and Seinfeld. Roberts has made appearances in several made-for-TV films.
Personal life
On September 18, 1976 Roberts married actress Pamela Frey, whom he met in an acting class taught by Lillian Randolph. The couple have two children together.
Filmography
Films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Herowork | Deputy Johnson | |
| 1980 | Hunter, TheThe Hunter | Poker Player | |
| 1983 | Heartbreaker | Hopper | |
| 1984 | Ice Pirates, TheThe Ice Pirates | Roscoe | |
| 1986 | Manhunter | The Runner | |
| 1988 | Rain Man | Vern | |
| 1988 | Back to Freedom | Sammy Samson | |
| 1991 | Last Holloween, TheThe Last Holloween | Accountant | Television movie |
| 1992 | Live! From Death Row | Silsbee | Television movie |
| 1995 | Sleepstalker | The Preacher | |
| 1997 | Most Wanted | Homeless Man | |
| 1999 | Hitman's Run | FBI Director Dean Harris | |
| 1999 | Suckers | Eddie | |
| 2005 | Hostage | Ridley | |
| 2006 | American Dreamz | Journalist | |
| 2008 | Street Kings | Older Black Man |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Good Times | Neck-Bone | Episode "The Gang: Part 1" |
| 1975 | Lucas Tanner | Lonnie | Episode "What's Wrong with Bobbie?" |
| 1975–78 | Baretta | Rooster | 27 episodes |
| 1976 | Jigsaw John | Episode "Eclipse" | |
| 1979 | Incredible Hulk, TheThe Incredible Hulk | D.J. | Episode "Like a Brother" |
| 1979 | Vega$ | Chickie | Episode "Demand and Supply" |
| 1979 | Quincy, M.E. | Police Officer Ed Waters | Episode "Dark Angel" |
| 1980 | B. J. and the Bear | Shades | Episode "The 18-Wheel Rip-Off" |
| 1981 | Sanford | Sam | Episode "Cal the Coward" |
| 1981 | Bosom Buddies | Mr. Norton | Episode "Amy's Career" |
| 1981 | Jessica Novak | Jack | Episode "Closeup News" |
| 1982 | Knight Rider | Jackson | Episode "Knight of the Phoenix" |
| 1982 | Fall Guy, TheThe Fall Guy | Jackson | Episode "The Reluctant Traveling Companion" |
| 1983 | Manimal | Tyrone C. Earl | Four episodes |
| 1984–85 | Double Trouble | Mr. Arrechia | 15 episodes |
| 1985 | Airwolf | Glen Carson | Episode "Half-Pint" |
| 1986 | Crazy Like a Fox | Episode "A Fox at the Races" | |
| 1987 | Cagney & Lacey | Eddie Hanks | Episode "The City Is Burning" |
| 1987 | Night Court | Moody | Episode "Constitution: Part 2" |
| 1988 | 227 | Lee Wilton | Episode "Best Friends" |
| 1988 | Hunter | Theo White | Episode "Dead on Target: Part 1" |
| 1989–91 | MacGyver | Various roles | Two episodes |
| 1989–93 | Quantum Leap | Various roles | Two episodes |
| 1990 | Agatha Christie: Poirot | Tindermans | Episode "The Mysterious Affair at Styles" |
| 1991 | Doogie Howser, M.D. | Mr. Alexander | Episode "A Kiss Ain't Just a Kiss" |
| 1992 | Commish, TheThe Commish | Franklin Sharpe | Episode "True Believers" |
| 1995 | Live Shot | Episode "What Price Episode?" | |
| 1996 | Renegade | Police Detective | Episode "Mr. Success" |
| 1996 | Sparks | Walter | Episode "Goode for the Gander" |
| 1996 | Seinfeld | Ipswich | Episode "The Chicken Roaster" |
| 1997 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Marton Burns | Two episodes |
| 1998 | Brooklyn South | Lieutenant Dandridge | Episode "Cinnamon Buns" |
| 1999 | Wasteland | Lester | Episode "Indian Summer" |
| 2000 | City of Angels | Commander Milton Archer | Episode "Assume the Position" |
| 2000 | Friends | Head Librarian | Episode "The One with Ross' Library Book" |
| 2000 | Michael Richards Show, TheThe Michael Richards Show | Bert | Episode "The Nursing Home" |
| 2001 | Family Law | Morgan | Episode "The Quality of Mercy" |
| 2001 | Arli$ | Tony | Episode "Question of Character" |
| 2003 | District, TheThe District | Anderson Henderson | Episode "Ella Mae" |
| 2006 | Suite Life of Zack & Cody, TheThe Suite Life of Zack & Cody | Henry | Episode "Free Tippy" |
| 2007 | Loop, TheThe Loop | Hibbert | Episode "Crazy Goat" |
| 2009 | Make It or Break It | Pastor Harold | Episode "Sunday, Bloody Sasha, Sunday" |
| 2014 | Girl Meets World | Coach Gleason | Episode "Girl Meets World: of Terror" |