Biography
Stage-trained actor Robert Christopher Riley brought emotional intensity to match the physical qualities of his most widely-seen roles, which included "Hit the Floor" (VH1, 2013- ), "Underground" (WGN, 2016-2017) and "Dynasty" (The CW, 2017- ). Born October 11, 1980 in Brooklyn, New York City to parents of Trinidadian and Bajan descent, Riley discovered acting through the drama club at Brooklyn Technical High School, and pursued a degree in theater from Lehigh University. After graduating in 2003, he earned a master's degree in theatre from Ohio University in 2006 and began his screen acting career with an appearance in the independent drama "The Trade Off" that same year. In 2008, Riley made his Broadway debut in the all-black cast production of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" opposite Terrence Howard and James Earl Jones. He would return to the New York stage two years later for the play "Lombardi," for which he played Green Bay Packer Dave Robinson opposite Dan Lauria as legendary coach Vince Lombardi, and in 2010 for the boxing drama "The Royale"; between these productions, he made guest appearances, often in physically imposing roles, on television shows like "Damages" (FX/The Audience Network, 2007-2012) and in features like "The Bourne Legacy" (2012). In 2013, Riley earned his first breakout role on "Hit the Floor," a sudsy drama about the lives of basketball players and cheerleaders on and off the court, with Riley playing the captain of the fictitious Los Angeles Devils. He left the show in 2017 to enjoy a recurring role on the critically acclaimed if short-lived slavery drama "Underground," playing the abusive lover to the series' long-suffering Ernestine (Amirah Vann). He then segued to the CW's revival of "Dynasty," playing the role of manipulative chauffeur Michael Culhane, while also making his debut as producer with the comedy feature "Professor Mack" (2018).
