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Jack Riley

 
Actor: Jack Riley
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  • Born: Dec 30, 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio
  • Occupation: Actor
  • Active: '70s-'90s
  • Major Genres: Comedy
  • Career Highlights: Night Patrol, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!, First the Egg
  • First Major Screen Credit: Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978)

Biography

While serving his two-year hitch in the Army, Jack Riley performed in "Rolling Along of 1960," a military travelling show. After his discharge, Riley attended John Carroll University, then resumed his show-business activities as an actor, comedian, and "special material" writer for such stars as Mort Sahl, Rowan and Martin and Don Rickles. He made his film debut in 1962's The Days of Wine and Roses, and has since essayed eccentric roles in such laugh-spinners as Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (1979). Active in television since 1966, Riley was a comedy-ensemble player in Keep on Truckin' (1975) and The Tim Conway Show (1980 edition), and occasionally popped up on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, impersonating Lyndon Johnson. His most celebrated TV role was the supremely paranoid Elliot Carlin in The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78), a role he has since reprised (under various character names) in such series as Alf and St. Elsewhere. He was also cast as TV station manager Leon Buchanan in the two-episode sitcom Roxie (1987), and has been heard as the voice of Stu Pickles on the animated series Rugrats (1991- ). Extremely active in the LA theatrical scene, Jack Riley has starred in such stage productions as 12 Angry Men and Small Craft Warnings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
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Wikipedia: Jack Riley
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For other persons named Jack Riley, see Jack Riley (disambiguation).
Jack Riley
Born December 30, 1935 (1935-12-30) (age 73)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Occupation Actor/Voice actor
Years active 1962—present

Jack Riley (born December 30, 1935) is an American comedic actor probably most recognizable as the irascible Elliot Carlin from Bob Newhart's 1970s TV sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show, and as the voice of Stu Pickles in Rugrats and All Grown Up!.

Contents

Early life

Riley was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Agnes C. (née Corrigan) and John A. Riley.[1] After attending Saint Ignatius High School and John Carroll University, he served in the US Army. After being discharged, Riley became a popular radio personality in Cleveland. His friend Tim Conway helped him receive work in California writing comedy sketches, which later led to acting jobs.

Career

Riley was one of the busiest 'bit players' on television in the 1970s and 80's. He also was a favorite of Mel Brooks, appearing in several of his films. Among his credits are multiple appearances on such shows as Barney Miller, Hogan's Heroes, Night Court, The Bob Newhart Show, and single appearances on just about every top comedy on television. In 1973, he was cast as Gomez Addams in "The Addams Family Fun-House." In 1979, he starred in ABC's holiday telefilm The Halloween That Almost Wasn't (aka The Night Dracula Saved The World) as Warren the Werewolf (Wolf Man) of Budapest.

Recently, his voice can be heard in commercials for "Country Crock" margarine. He also voiced the character "PC Modem, the computer genius" in radio commercials for CompUSA that aired in the 1990s. He continues to make guest appearances in popular sitcoms, showing up in episodes of Seinfeld, Son of the Beach, Friends, Coach, The Drew Carey Show and That '70s Show in recent years.

References

  1. ^ Jack Riley Biography (1935-)

External links

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Actor. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
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