Robards began his acting career in 1980 in an off-Broadway production of "Album", and made his feature-film debut in director Paul Mazursky's 1982 film "Tempest". In 1985, Robards starred alongside Kevin Costner and future spouse Suzy Amis in "Fandango". Robards acted opposite his father in the 1988 film "Bright Lights, Big City", which ended up being their only collaboration before his death in 2000. That same year, he landed the leading role of Kevin Keegan in the CBS drama "TV 101"; however, being scheduled opposite Top 10 hits "Roseanne" and "Matlock", the series was cancelled amidst a controversial abortion story line.