Robert O'Reilly
Biography
Robert O'Reilly, born March 25, 1950, in New York, New York, USA, is an American film, stage, and television actor and director. He is most recognized for portraying Chancellor Gowron, leader of the Klingon Empire, in the Star Trek franchise, especially on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. O'Reilly’s career includes over one hundred film and television appearances, frequently in antagonistic roles, with credits in series such as Cheers, Knight Rider, MacGyver and NYPD Blue, and in the film The Mask. He has performed on Broadway and at Carnegie Hall and received a Drama‑Logue Award in 1981 for directing the play Getting Out. He is also known as Bobby Reilly.
Career overview
Robert O'Reilly was born on March 25, 1950 in New York City, New York, USA. He is an American actor and director whose career encompasses film, stage, and television work. Over the course of his professional life he has taken part in more than one hundred film and television productions, frequently portraying antagonistic or villainous characters. His television credits include appearances on series such as Cheers, Knight Rider, MacGyver and NYPD Blue, while his film work includes a role in The Mask. In addition to screen work, O'Reilly has performed on Broadway and at Carnegie Hall, demonstrating a breadth of experience in live performance.
O'Reilly is best known for his portrayal of Chancellor Gowron, the leader of the Klingon Empire, in the Star Trekk franchise, most prominently on Star Trekk: The Next Generation and Star Trekk: Deep Space Nine. His contributions to theatre were recognized with a Drama‑Logue Award in 1981 for directing the play Getting Out. He is also listed under the alternate name Bobby Reilly and has accumulated fifty‑four credited roles according to the available database.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
60 titles- Full Court Press (2024) Camera Operator
- The Shuttlepod Show (2022) as Self
- A Captain's Log (2021) as Self
- The Circuit (2019)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation - Redemption (2013) as Gowron
- Numb3rs (2005) as Kurt Delock (uncredited)
- Star Trek's Favorite Moments (2004) as Self
- Roddenberry on Patrol (2003) as Officer #2
- Star Trek: Enterprise (2001) as Kago-Darr
- The Guardian (2001) as Quinn Jankowski
- The Omega Code (1999) as Technician
- Candyman: Day of the Dead (1999) as L.V. Sacco
- Moonbase (1997) as Karl Stark
- Good Luck (1997) as Bartender
- Steel Frontier (1995) as Evermore
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Way of the Warrior (1995) as Gowron
- The Mask (1994) as The Figure
- NYPD Blue (1993) as Calvin James / Carl Shivers
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) as Gowron
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) as Countman
- Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993) as Rudy Exner
- Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) as Mark Dunford
- The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993) as Sketch
- Desert Kickboxer (1992) as Paul
- Whore (1991) as Younger Man in Car
- Under Surveillance (1991) as Whitey
- Party Plane (1991) as Air Traffic Controller
- The Flash (1990) as Victor Kelso
- Cop Rock (1990)
- By Dawn's Early Light (1990) as FEMA Radioman
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) as Gowron
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) as Scarface
- Sledge Hammer! (1986) as Assassin
- MacGyver (1985) as Curt Neilson
- The Equalizer (1985) as Fur Collar Man
- The Equalizer (1985) as Chance
- Otherworld (1985) as Drill Instructor
- The Steel Collar Man (1985) as Johnny
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as A.J. Grodin
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Stephen Ridgely
- Hunter (1984) as Willem Sunderson
- Highway to Heaven (1984)
- Crazy like a Fox (1984)
- Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983)
- Hardcastle and McCormick (1983)
- Trauma Center (1983)
- Manimal (1983)
- Cheers (1982) as Ed Fogerty
- Knight Rider (1982) as Jake Simpson
- Knight Rider (1982) as Snyder
- T. J. Hooker (1982) as Jack Riker
- T. J. Hooker (1982) as Sheehan
- Voyagers! (1982)
- Falcon Crest (1981) as Mr. Kumar
- Simon & Simon (1981)
- The Fall Guy (1981)
- Darkroom (1981) as Sebastian
- Archie Bunker's Place (1979)
- The Incredible Hulk (1977)
- CHiPs (1977) as Ryan
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Robert O'Reilly best known for?
Robert O'Reilly is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including A Captain's Log (2021), Jaws (1975), The Dumping Ground (2013), Catwoman (2004).
When and where was Robert O'Reilly born?
Robert O'Reilly was born on March 25, 1950 in New York, New York, USA.
How many credits does Robert O'Reilly have?
Robert O'Reilly has accumulated over 60 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1977 to 2024.
What is Robert O'Reilly's background in cinema and television?
Robert O'Reilly, born March 25, 1950, in New York, New York, USA, is an American film, stage, and television actor and director. He is most recognized for portraying Chancellor Gowron, leader of the Klingon Empire, in the Star Trek franchise, especially on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ...
Robert O'Reilly by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) as Gowron — aged about 37
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) as Scarface — aged about 37
- Sledge Hammer! (1986) as Assassin — aged about 36
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) as Gowron — aged about 43
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) as Countman — aged about 43
- MacGyver (1985) as Curt Neilson — aged about 35
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