In CAN.SAY: Greed Issue #9 there was an article called "Extra! Extra!" by Colin Snowsell which recounted Colin's adventures working as an extra on the film In Cold Blood. His description of being an extra certainly doesn't make me want to run out and sign up.

But the part that we're interested in is when Eric Roberts shows up. I'll let Colin tell it...

Just as we were beginning to believe that Hollywood was absolute evil, the most unlikely person arrived to convince us otherwise. When one thinks of what Entertainment Tonight likes to call "nice people", "friendly people" one does not consider Eric Roberts. Ever.

Eric Roberts, older brother of Julia Roberts, has this rap on him: he's a bad kid, fantastic actor but impossible to work with. We learned very quickly that whatever passes for truth in Hollywood is exactly the opposite in real life. when Eric appeared, a cloud seemed to lift from the set; people began to breathe again.

Quietly he arrived early on the set to watch [Anthony] Edwards scene. He applauded after each take. When it came for Eric's turn to die, he strode in front of the spectators, cigarette in hand, coy grin on mouth. He shook the hands of all the guards, introduced himself and asked each guard his name. Then he turned to us in the gallery and winked, not once but several times, each time catching the eye of a different spectator. Each time he mouthed the word: "Hello."

Then he started acting. And when he did, he made Anthony's performance seem like a Grade 8 recital. Anthony was a bush league actor campared to Roberts. Convincing? I had chills. What, up until now, had felt like a Hollywood movie, felt suddenly like a gallows. What looked like Eric Roberts suddenly looked like Perry Smith, a literate, intelligent man, who happened to kill a family of four and was minutes away from being hanged for his crime.

Then he was done and he was smiling again, lighting another cigarette. He was even talking to the beleaguered Frank the Hangman and exchanging jokes with him. Frank was so grateful, I though he might cry.

Isn't that sweet? But now I think it's about time you went back to The Eric Roberts Links Page