His father and grandfather were also actors. After study of theatrical art in Prague he had taken many roles in theatres and movies. Outside of the Czech Republic he is mostly known for character roles in Hollywood movies, for example in 15 Minutes (2001), Blade II (2002), Bulletproof Monk (2003), The Bourne Supremacy (2004), and as Grigori Rasputin in Hellboy (2004). He also had a small role in the new Mr. Bean movie, Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007)

Roden received Alfréd Radok Award for performing Bruno in Le Cocu Magnifique by Fernand Crommelynck. Other notable role was Don Chuan in Grabbe's Don Juan and Faust (Divadlo v Dlouhé). He also appeared in two plays with his brother Marian.