She made her debut on Broadway in 1926 and appeared there in about 40 productions between 1926 and 1945, mostly in supporting roles.

Roberts started her film career in 1926 as the lead in Poor Mrs. Jones, produced by the United States Department of Agriculture.

[1] Roberts also appeared with Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in the screwball comedy Bringing Up Baby (1938) as the house servant Mrs. Gogarty, as well in Of Human Hearts (1938) with James Stewart and The Blue Bird (1940) with Shirley Temple.

Subsequently, Roberts worked again in Hollywood and made a few last films there, including a small part in The Loves of Carmen (1948).

After retiring, she dedicated the last years of her life to charitable and religious causes until her death.