- Born
- Height6′ 1″ (1.85 m)
- British actor Sam Riley rose to stardom as Joy Division's poetic lead singer Ian Curtis in the acclaimed film Control (2007), directed by Anton Coribjn, a great fan of the group and also their official photographer. Riley's talent was noticed not only to his striking resemblance to Curtis but also because he was able to sing rock songs, already being a frontman of a rock band in the early 2000's. The personification of Curtis earned him several breakthrough awards and nominations.
A former member of the National Youth Theatre, Riley was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. Before his breakthrough in Control, he appeared in a handful of short and TV films while his band "10,000 Things" was producing their works. After the movie, where he also met his future wife Alexandra Maria Lara - they have a son together - Riley went on to appear in some minor films such as Franklyn (2008); 13 (2010); and the role of violent psychotic Pinkie in the remake of Brighton Rock (2010). But it all changed in 2012 when Riley had the opportunity in two acclaimed films with two outstanding directors: as Sol Paradise in Walter Salles' road movie adaptation from Jack Kerouac's best selling novel On the Road (2012); and under the direction of Neil Jordan in Byzantium (2012), which presented Riley to wider audiences and leading to Diaval role in Maleficent (2014) and its sequel.
He moved on to more risky and world cinema projects such as the strange western The Dark Valley (2014), an Austrian film that received great reviews and it was a chance for the actor to play something out of his league; the ensemble war film Suite Française (2014); as Pierre Curin in Radioactive (2019) and the upcoming remake of Rebecca (2020).
Sam Riley might not be so much in the spotlight as many young actors tend to get but he feels comfortable with the projects he's doing and the success he's having.
- IMDb mini biography by: Rodrigo Amaro
- SpouseAlexandra Maria Lara(August 8, 2009 - present) (1 child)
- ChildrenBen
- ParentsAndrew RileyAmanda Riley
- RelativesAnnabel Riley(Sibling)
- Distinct raspy voice.
- He resides in Berlin with actress Alexandra Maria Lara. They meet on the set of Control (2007).
- Lead singer of the band 10,000 Things, signed to Domino Records between 2003-2006. His brother George Riley played bass.
- Once worked in a clothing factory in Leeds after his band was dropped by their record label.
- Son, Ben, was born in January 2014. Mother is Alexandra Maria Lara.
- He proposed to his girlfriend Alexandra Maria Lara on December 24, 2008.
- My parents are relieved as much as anything that I'm getting some work.
- To do a studio film, something with Disney. My father is thrilled.
- I'm an actor, of course, so I like to show off.
- Part of what makes your performances more convincing is that your own image isn't getting in the way. And the more you can keep it like that, the better for your work and your state of mind.
- I was one of the only ones there interested in acting. You find when you're doing school plays that a lot of people there were on punishment, or something.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
