Robin Riker
Born: 1952-10-02 in New York City, New York, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
A third-generation actress on both sides of her family, Robin was born in a trunk. Actually, she was almost born in a taxi on the Brooklyn Bridge but traffic was good that day so she made her actual debut at Beth Israel hospital in New York City. Her parents, both professional actors, owned and ran legit theaters, in Aspen, Atlanta and Syracuse and had a very practical philosophy: "If you have children, use them." Consequently, Robin grew up on stage, backstage, in the box office and selling cookies in the lobby. Classically trained since the age of two, including several years with the prestigious Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Robin has split her time since between stage, film and television. Even after starring in countless T.V. series and films, the stage remains Robin's favorite version of soul food. Her television work includes starring roles as a series regular in six series, among them: The Gregory Hines Show (C.B.S.),Thunder Alley with Edward Asner (A.B.C.) the ground breaking SHOWTIME series, Brothers (two Ace Award nominations Best Actress in a comedy) two series for FOX including the cult classic comedy Get A Life, in which she played Chris Elliott's nemesis. One particular episode in which Chris and Robin play rival stars in a community theatre production, was named by T.V. Guide as "One of the fifty funniest T.V. moments of all time." Robin has had recurring roles in several popular series including Reba, Hung, and Boston Legal as well as guest starring roles on dozens of shows; playing Hector Elizondo's ex-wife on Tim Allen's Last Man Standing, Bones, Switched at Birth, Anger Management with Charlie Sheen, NCIS, and Justified, to name a few. TV movies include,This Magic Moment, Holly's Holiday and the mini series Gone But Not Forgotten opposite Brooke Shields. The Indie film,The Wedding Party will be making the rounds of the festival circuit soon and the John Sayles cult classic Alligator, in which Robin stars opposite Robert Forster is having a 'behind the scenes' DVD release in the near future. Her stage credits include, All My Sons with Neil Patrick Harris at The Geffen Playhouse, (Ovation nomination Best Supporting Actress), George Furth's play, Sex, Sex, Sex, Sex, and Sex at the Matrix (LA Weekly nomination Best Supporting Actress), Les Liaisons Dangereuses at The Blank Theatre (Ovation nomination Best Actress) Pied a Terre- (Off Broadway) Welcome to the Woods" (Off Broadway and part of the New York 400 Festival), Bernard Slade's I Remember You with Tony Danza at Garry Marshall's Falcon Theatre, and The Kiss at City Hall at the Pasadena Playhouse, Cannibals, at the Zephyr Theatre and productions of Ladies Room in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. Her new book, A Survivors' Guide to Hollywood: How to Play the Game Without Losing Your Soul, has just been released and is available at Samuel French, Skylight Bookstore, and world-wide via Amazon and Barnes and Noble. More info at www.robinriker.com
Filmography
2024
- Gallagher as Self
2023
- The Holiday Proposal Plan as Paulette Kravitz
2020
- Killer Dream Home as Beverly Maples
2019
- Psycho Granny as Colleen
- My Killer Client as Mary
2016
- Saved by Grace as Anne
2013
- This Magic Moment as Maryellen Gable
2012
- Anger Management as Terri
- The Famous Joe Project
- Holly's Holiday as Carol
2011
- Last Man Standing as Wanda
- Switched at Birth as Michelle Natterson
- Austin & Ally as Ms. Jackson
- Convincing Clooney as Head Honcho
2010
- Justified as Deborah Jane
2007
- Wizards of Waverly Place as Linda Greybeck
2006
- Big Love as Meredith Paulson
- Read It and Weep as Diana
2005
- Bones as Nadia Blake
- The Closer as Barbara, Estelle Pope's Attorney
- Gone But Not Forgotten as Nora Sloane / Samantha Reardon
2004
- Boston Legal as Candy Springtime
2002
- What I Like About You as Eileen
- American Dreams as Mrs. Jenson
- The Stoneman as Dr. Anna Weston
2001
- Crossing Jordan as Frances Pritchard
- Reba as Sue Montgomery
- One on One as Connie
2000
- Malcolm in the Middle as Tina
- Strong Medicine as Elizabeth Perry
1999
- Family Law as Karen Silverton
- Don't Look Under the Bed as Karen McCausland
1998
- V.I.P. as Jessica Wirth
- Two Guys and a Girl as Mrs. Brewer
- Brink! as Maddie
1997
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Catherine Madison
- The Gregory Hines Show
- steve.oedekerk.com
1996
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch as Marigold
- Christmas Every Day as Aunt Carolyn Jackson
1995
- Sliders as First Lady Sela Williams
- Dead Badge as Joyce Deitz
1994
- Thunder Alley as Bobbi Turner
- In the Heat of Passion II: Unfaithful as Catherine
1993
- Diagnosis: Murder as Claire
- Stepmonster as Denise Gore
1992
- Body Chemistry II: Voice of a Stranger as Brenda
- Shaky Ground as Helen Moody
1990
- Get a Life as Sharon Potter
- Without Her Consent as Marcia
1989
- The Famous Teddy Z
- Hard Time on Planet Earth as Sullivan
- Doctor Doctor
1985
1984
- Murder, She Wrote as Connie Kowalski
- Airwolf as Dr. Karen Hansen
- Highway to Heaven
- Brothers as Kelly Hall
1983
- The A-Team as Amanda Huston
- Herndon
1981
1980
- Alligator as Marisa
1976
- Baa Baa Black Sheep as 1st Nurse