Rob Riley (1945-2025)
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Actor, writer and director Rob Riley passed away August 8 at the age of 80. Rob began his career at Second City, studying with Del Close, then working improv with the Reification Company, before becoming a Second City mainstage cast member in 1980. In 1984 and 1985, he was a writer for “Saturday Night Live,” alongside Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest and Martin Short. But, ultimately, he found his niche through his work in Chicago.
Rob co-wrote, directed and starred in WILD MEN at The Body Politic Theatre before it moved off-Broadway. At the Goodman Theatre, he appeared in BLIND DATE, THE CROWD YOU’RE IN WITH, MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, THE BEARD OF AVON, A TOUCH OF THE POET, THE DINING ROOM and THE FRONT PAGE. He was Jeff-nominated for his work in GOOD FOR OTTO (The Gift Theatre) and CADILLAC (Chicago Dramatists). Additional Chicago credits include Q.E.D. (his one man show at Collaboraction); I SAILED WITH MAGELLAN, UNSPOKEN PRAYERS, CAHOOTS, THE END OF THE TOUR, A VIEW OF THE DOME and BEFORE MY EYES (Victory Gardens Theater); HEARTBREAK HOUSE (Remy Bumppo); THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); THE FRONT PAGE (TimeLine Theatre); THE WEIR and THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD (Steppenwolf); SEASONS GREETINGS and THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN (Northlight Theatre); and TRAVESTIES and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Wisdom Bridge Theatre Company). Early in his career, Rob was the innovative director of shows by the Chicago comedy ensemble Friends of the Zoo. Along with doing many commercials and voiceovers, Rob appeared in several films and TV shows. One of his most memorable film credits was being one of the voices waking up Bill Murray every morning in GROUNDHOG DAY. In 2013, Rob and his wife, actor Nonie Newton Riley, moved from Chicago to Los Angeles, where they had met and where Nonie was based. For years thereafter, they split their time between the two cities. Robert Estil Riley was born April 6, 1945, in Concordia, Kansas to Robert Riley Sr. and Margaret Jones Riley. Raised in Long Grove, Illinois, Rob attended Ela Vernon High School, graduated from the University of Michigan and then did three semesters of law school before dropping out. He lived a ski-bum lifestyle in Colorado for a few years before returning to Chicago and beginning his on-stage career. Rob is survived by his wife Nonie; son William Riley (Clary); granddaughters Bella and Matilda; stepchildren Spencer Breen, Riley Breen (Sean); stepgranddaughters Alyssa and Alannah; siblings Nan Parson (Chris) and Lyn Pearson (Jack); and many nieces and nephews. Per Nonie — “He made a really steady living in Chicago theater. He was a working actor for 50 years, including commercial and voiceover work. That’s a big deal. He was just such a talent. He could write. He was a musician. He skied. He rode a motorcycle. He swam with the endurance of a polar bear. We loved the fur off him like the Velveteen Rabbit.” With thanks to the Chicago Sun-Times |