Robert O'Reilly
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- March 25, 1950 (age 76)
- Birthplace
- New York, New York, USA
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
Known For
Filmography
The Shuttlepod Show
TV · as Self · 1 ep
A Captain's Log
TV · as Self · 1 ep
The Circuit
Movie
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Redemption
Movie · as Gowron
Numb3rs
TV · as Kurt Delock (uncredited) · 1 ep
Star Trek's Favorite Moments
Movie · as Self
Star Trek: Enterprise
TV · as Kago-Darr · 1 ep
The Guardian
TV · as Quinn Jankowski · 1 ep
Candyman: Day of the Dead
Movie · as L.V. Sacco
The Omega Code
Movie · as Technician
Moonbase
Movie · as Karl Stark
Good Luck
Movie · as Bartender
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Way of the Warrior
Movie · as Gowron
Steel Frontier
Movie · as Evermore
The Mask
Movie · as The Figure
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
TV · as Sketch · 1 ep
Walker, Texas Ranger
TV · as Mark Dunford · 1 ep
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
TV · as Rudy Exner · 1 ep
NYPD Blue
TV · as Calvin James / Carl Shivers · 1 ep
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
TV · as Gowron, Countman · 7 eps
Desert Kickboxer
Movie · as Paul
Whore
Movie · as Younger Man in Car
Under Surveillance
Movie · as Whitey
Party Plane
Movie · as Air Traffic Controller
By Dawn's Early Light
Movie · as FEMA Radioman
Dark Avenger
Movie · as Officer Kevin Wegley
Cop Rock
TV · as Jimmy Smolan
The Flash
TV · as Victor Kelso · 1 ep
Star Trek: The Next Generation
TV · as Gowron, Scarface · 4 eps
Sledge Hammer!
TV · as Assassin · 1 ep
The Steel Collar Man
Movie · as Johnny
Otherworld
TV · as Drill Instructor · 1 ep
MacGyver
TV · as Curt Neilson · 1 ep
The Equalizer
TV · as Fur Collar Man, Chance · 1 ep
Murder, She Wrote
TV · as A.J. Grodin, Stephen Ridgely · 1 ep
Highway to Heaven
TV · 1 ep
Hunter
TV · as Willem Sunderson · 1 ep
Crazy like a Fox
TV · 1 ep
Hardcastle and McCormick
TV · 1 ep
Manimal
TV · 1 ep
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
TV · 1 ep
Trauma Center
TV · 1 ep
T. J. Hooker
TV · as Jack Riker, Sheehan · 1 ep
Knight Rider
TV · as Jake Simpson, Snyder · 1 ep
Voyagers!
TV · 1 ep
Cheers
TV · as Ed Fogerty · 1 ep
Falcon Crest
TV · as Mr. Kumar · 2 eps
Simon & Simon
TV · 1 ep
The Fall Guy
TV · 1 ep
Darkroom
TV · as Sebastian · 1 ep
Archie Bunker's Place
TV · 1 ep
CHiPs
TV · as Ryan · 1 ep
The Incredible Hulk
TV · 1 ep