In the mid-1950s he became a masseur to supplement his income, and this
became his primary career. One of his first clients was
Susan Strasberg. She introduced him to
Marilyn Monroe, with whom he
became good friends (she later gave him a part in
The Misfits (1961)). Roberts' regular clients included
Eddie Albert,
Walter Matthau,
Ellen Burstyn,
Milton Berle,
Red Buttons and
Judy Holliday.