Robert O'Reilly
Born: 1950-03-25 in New York, New York, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
Robert O'Reilly (born March 25, 1950, in New York City) is an American film, stage, and television actor and director. He is best known for his role as Chancellor Gowron, the leader of the Klingon Empire, in the Star Trek franchise—particularly on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. O'Reilly’s career spans over 100 films and TV episodes, often portraying antagonistic or villainous characters. He appeared in series like Cheers, Knight Rider, MacGyver, NYPD Blue, and films such as The Mask. He has also performed on Broadway and at Carnegie Hall. Notably, he received a Drama-Logue Award in 1981 for directing the play Getting Out. His first Star Trek appearance was in The Next Generation episode "Manhunt," but he is most recognized for playing Gowron from the episode "Reunion" onward, across several Next Generation and Deep Space Nine episodes, and related media including video games. O'Reilly drew inspiration for Gowron from Shakespearean characters, notably Edmund from King Lear. He has reprised Gowron in various Star Trek-related events and conventions. In theater, he has appeared in Broadway and off-Broadway productions, including The Tavern, The Promise, and played roles like Edmund in King Lear. He has been active with the Colony Theatre Company in Burbank, California, both as an actor and director. He is married to Judy O'Reilly, with whom he has triplet sons. His hobbies include golf and baseball. Robert O'Reilly retired from acting but remains involved in the Star Trek community through conventions and voice roles
Filmography
2024
- Full Court Press ... (Camera Operator)
2022
- The Shuttlepod Show as Self
2021
- A Captain's Log as Self
2019
2013
2005
- Numb3rs as Kurt Delock (uncredited)
2004
- Star Trek's Favorite Moments as Himself
2003
- Roddenberry on Patrol as Officer #2
2001
- Star Trek: Enterprise as Kago-Darr
- The Guardian as Quinn Jankowski
1999
- Candyman: Day of the Dead as L.V. Sacco
- The Omega Code as Technician
1995
- Steel Frontier as Evermore
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Way of the Warrior as Gowron
1994
- The Mask as The Figure
1993
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Gowron
- NYPD Blue as Calvin James / Carl Shivers
- Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman as Rudy Exner
- Walker, Texas Ranger as Mark Dunford
- The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. as Sketch
1992
- Desert Kickboxer as Paul
1991
- Party Plane as Air Traffic Controller
- Under Surveillance as Whitey
- Whore as Younger Man in Car
1990
- The Flash as Victor Kelso
- By Dawn's Early Light as FEMA Radioman
- Cop Rock
1987
- Star Trek: The Next Generation as Gowron
1986
- Sledge Hammer! as Assassin
1985
- MacGyver as Curt Neilson
- The Equalizer as Fur Collar Man
- Otherworld
- The Steel Collar Man as Johnny
1984
- Murder, She Wrote as A.J. Grodin
- Highway to Heaven
- Hunter as Willem Sunderson
- Crazy like a Fox
1982
- Knight Rider as Jake Simpson
- Cheers as Ed Fogerty
- T. J. Hooker as Jack Riker
- Voyagers!
1981
- Falcon Crest as Mr. Kumar
- The Fall Guy
- Simon & Simon
1977
- The Incredible Hulk
- CHiPs as Ryan