Her breakthrough role was opposite Tom Berenger in Someone to Watch Over Me (1987). Since then, her career has largely been focused on independent films, most notably the controversial The Rapture (1991). Although she continues to do independent films, Rogers is certainly not averse to Hollywood. She has appeared in sci-fi films such as Lost in Space (1998), as well as the cult television series The X-Files (1998-99). She also appeared as the mother of Elizabeth Hurley's character in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997). Famous for her voluptuous physique, her most titillating role was in Full Body Massage (1995) in which she was fully nude for most of the film. Also notable was her nude scene at the age of 49 in The Door in the Floor written by John Irving.

As well as her nude roles as an actress, in March 1993 she did a nude layout (and an interview) in Playboy magazine.

Her father was Jewish and a Holocaust survivor, while her mother was Christian. However, Rogers became a member of the Church of Scientology, and in fact her father was a minister of Scientology but is no longer with them. Her first husband, Jim Rogers, was also a Scientologist. They were married from 1977 until 1980. Her second husband was actor Tom Cruise; they were married from 1987 until 1990. She introduced Cruise to Scientology. According to Tilman Hauser's list of Scientology celebrities, Rogers' status in the church is unknown, but it is believed that she is no longer active but still retains many of the beliefs. She also led others besides Cruise to the church, including Sonny Bono and football player John Brodie, for whom she served as auditor.

She is presently involved with producer Chris Ciaffa; they have two children, Lucy and Charles.

Having played high stakes poker as a teenager, she took up competitive poker in 2003, and finished in the money in her first major tournament at the World Poker Tour's 240 player Shooting Stars main event No-Limit Texas hold 'em tournament in San Jose, California on March 4, 2004. She is also in the board of directors of the World Poker Tour.

She is currently in a new sitcom on Fox called The Loop.