Sam Riley
Encyclopedia
Sam Riley is an English
actor and singer.
in the Metropolitan District of Bradford in West Yorkshire
, the son of "a textile agent and nursery-school teacher". He was educated at Uppingham School
. He was turned down by both the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
("LAMDA") and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts ("RADA").
in the movie Control, a biopic about the lead singer of the 1970s post-punk
band Joy Division
. The film received high critical acclaim due in no small part to Riley's performance, which won him a selection of awards including the British Independent Film Award
for "Most Promising Newcomer" a BAFTA "Rising Star" nomination; and a Mark Kermode nod for Best Actor 2007.
Prior to his portrayal of Ian Curtis, Riley played The Fall frontman Mark E. Smith
in the Michael Winterbottom
film 24 Hour Party People
, which details the Factory Records
era. His scenes, however, were omitted from the final cut.
In September 2007, Riley was cast in Gerald McMorrow
's British science fiction film Franklyn
. He starred as the lead role in 13
, an English-language remake of the French thriller 13 Tzameti
that has yet to have an American and European release. He played the role of Pinkie Brown
in Brighton Rock alongside Helen Mirren
, released February 4, 2011. He also starred in Walter Salles'
film adaptation of Jack Kerouac's
autobiographical On the Road
playing the narrator and protagonist Sal Paradise
, currently in post-production.
, devised and supervised by Christopher Bailey
and shot by Mario Testino
.
band 10,000 Things, with whom he achieved moderate success. After their first release on indie label Voltage Records in 2002, they signed to major label Polydor for one self-titled album They disbanded in 2005.
with his wife and Control co-star Alexandra Maria Lara
. They married in August 2009.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
actor and singer.
Early life
Riley was born in MenstonMenston
Menston is a village and civil parish in the county of West Yorkshire, England. Along with Burley in Wharfedale, Menston is part of Wharfedale Ward in the metropolitan borough of the City of Bradford. It has a population of 4,660.-Landmarks:...
in the Metropolitan District of Bradford in West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
, the son of "a textile agent and nursery-school teacher". He was educated at Uppingham School
Uppingham School
Uppingham School is a co-educational independent school of the English public school tradition, situated in the small town of Uppingham in Rutland, England...
. He was turned down by both the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art is a leading British drama school in west London. LAMDA's president is Timothy West and its new principal is Joanna Read, who recently succeeded Peter James...
("LAMDA") and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts ("RADA").
Film career
His breakthrough performance came when he played the role of Ian CurtisIan Curtis
Ian Kevin Curtis was an English singer and lyricist, famous for leading the post-punk band Joy Division. Joy Division released their debut album, Unknown Pleasures, in 1979 and recorded their follow-up, Closer, in 1980...
in the movie Control, a biopic about the lead singer of the 1970s post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
band Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
. The film received high critical acclaim due in no small part to Riley's performance, which won him a selection of awards including the British Independent Film Award
British Independent Film Awards
The Moët British Independent Film Awards is an annual award ceremony celebrating achievement in independently funded British film and cinema. Nominations and jury are announced at the beginning of November with the award ceremony taking place in late November or early December.-History:The British...
for "Most Promising Newcomer" a BAFTA "Rising Star" nomination; and a Mark Kermode nod for Best Actor 2007.
Prior to his portrayal of Ian Curtis, Riley played The Fall frontman Mark E. Smith
Mark E. Smith
Mark Edward Smith is the lead singer, lyricist, frontman, and only constant member of the English post-punk band The Fall.-Early life:...
in the Michael Winterbottom
Michael Winterbottom
Michael Winterbottom is a prolific English filmmaker who has directed seventeen feature films in the past fifteen years. He began his career working in British television before moving into features...
film 24 Hour Party People
24 Hour Party People
24 Hour Party People is a 2002 British film about Manchester's popular music community from 1976 to 1992, and specifically about Factory Records. It was written by Frank Cottrell Boyce and directed by Michael Winterbottom...
, which details the Factory Records
Factory Records
Factory Records was a Manchester based British independent record label, started in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, which featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Joy Division, New Order, A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, Happy Mondays, Northside and James and...
era. His scenes, however, were omitted from the final cut.
In September 2007, Riley was cast in Gerald McMorrow
Gerald McMorrow
Gerald McMorrow is a director and writer who wrote and directed the short film Thespian X and had his feature-length writing and directing debut with the 2008 science fiction film Franklyn.-Career:...
's British science fiction film Franklyn
Franklyn
Franklyn is a 2008 British film written and directed by Gerald McMorrow as his debut feature. Produced by Jeremy Thomas, it stars Ryan Phillippe, Eva Green and Sam Riley. Shooting took place in London in the fourth quarter of 2007. Franklyn held its world premiere at the 52nd London Film Festival...
. He starred as the lead role in 13
13 (film)
13 is an English-language remake of the 2005 French film 13 Tzameti. The film is directed and written by Géla Babluani, who directed and wrote the original film. A trailer was released in August 2010.-Plot:...
, an English-language remake of the French thriller 13 Tzameti
13 Tzameti
13 Tzameti is a 2005 film written and directed by Georgian filmmaker Géla Babluani. "Tzameti" is the Georgian word for thirteen. 13 Tzameti is the feature length directorial debut for Babluani...
that has yet to have an American and European release. He played the role of Pinkie Brown
Pinkie Brown
Pinkie Brown is a fictional character, the main character and antihero of Graham Greene's 1938 novel Brighton Rock.-Character overview:In the novel, Brown is portrayed as an up-and-coming gangster, the teenaged leader and enforcer of a powerful gang in the Brighton underworld...
in Brighton Rock alongside Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren
Dame Helen Mirren, DBE is an English actor. She has won an Academy Award for Best Actress, four SAG Awards, four BAFTAs, three Golden Globes, four Emmy Awards, and two Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Awards.-Early life and family:...
, released February 4, 2011. He also starred in Walter Salles'
Walter Salles
Walter Moreira Salles, Jr. is a Brazilian filmmaker and film producer of international prominence.-Life and career:Salles was born in Rio de Janeiro. He is the son of Elizinha Goncalves and Walter Moreira Salles, a Brazilian banker and ambassador, and the brother of João Moreira Salles, also a...
film adaptation of Jack Kerouac's
Jack Kerouac
Jean-Louis "Jack" Lebris de Kerouac was an American novelist and poet. He is considered a literary iconoclast and, alongside William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, a pioneer of the Beat Generation. Kerouac is recognized for his spontaneous method of writing, covering topics such as Catholic...
autobiographical On the Road
On the Road (film)
On the Road is a 2012 film adaptation of the Jack Kerouac novel of the same name directed by Walter Salles and starring Sam Riley as Sal Paradise and Garrett Hedlund as Dean Moriarty. It is being executive produced by Francis Ford Coppola. Filming began on August 4, 2010, in Montreal, Canada, with...
playing the narrator and protagonist Sal Paradise
Sal Paradise
Salvatore “Sal” Paradise is the narrator and the protagonist in Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road. Sal, an Italian American youth living in New Jersey with his aunt, is an uninspired writer working on a book who follows and accompanies Dean Moriarty, a young and reckless Denver vagrant, on his...
, currently in post-production.
Model career
He featured in the Autumn/Winter 2008 publicity campaign for the British fashion-house BurberryBurberry
Burberry Group plc is a British luxury fashion house, manufacturing clothing, fragrance, and fashion accessories. Its distinctive tartan pattern has become one of its most widely copied trademarks. Burberry is most famous for its iconic trench coat, which was invented by founder Thomas Burberry...
, devised and supervised by Christopher Bailey
Christopher Bailey (fashion designer)
Christopher Bailey is Chief Creative Officer of Burberry, and is responsible for the company’s overall image including all advertising, corporate art direction, store design and visuals as well as the design of all Burberry collections and product lines.Bailey, who was 38 in 2009, was born in...
and shot by Mario Testino
Mario Testino
-Early Life:Testino grew up in Lima, the eldest son of a businessman. When he was young he wanted to be a priest. Testino recalls being unpopular at school because of his flamboyance. He was good at math and went on to study economics at Universidad del Pacífico, where his insistence on wearing...
.
Music career
For a few years he was the lead singer of the LeedsLeeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
band 10,000 Things, with whom he achieved moderate success. After their first release on indie label Voltage Records in 2002, they signed to major label Polydor for one self-titled album They disbanded in 2005.
Personal life
He currently lives in BerlinBerlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
with his wife and Control co-star Alexandra Maria Lara
Alexandra Maria Lara
Alexandra Maria Lara is a Romanian-born German actress. She performs predominantly in leading roles in a variety of historical and crime films...
. They married in August 2009.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Control | Ian Curtis Ian Curtis Ian Kevin Curtis was an English singer and lyricist, famous for leading the post-punk band Joy Division. Joy Division released their debut album, Unknown Pleasures, in 1979 and recorded their follow-up, Closer, in 1980... |
Bratislava International Film Festival Award for Best Actor British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer British Independent Film Awards The Moët British Independent Film Awards is an annual award ceremony celebrating achievement in independently funded British film and cinema. Nominations and jury are announced at the beginning of November with the award ceremony taking place in late November or early December.-History:The British... Chicago International Film Festival Award for Best Actor Chicago International Film Festival The Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America.... Edinburgh International Film Festival Award for Best British Performance Edinburgh International Film Festival The Edinburgh International Film Festival is an annual fortnight of cinema screenings and related events taking place each June. Established in 1947, it is the world's oldest continually running film festival... Empire Award for Best Newcomer Empire Awards An Empire Award is an accolade bestowed by Empire, Britain's biggest selling film magazine, to recognize excellence of professionals in the locale and global film industry. The awards are voted for by readers of the magazine and in an annual ceremony, the Empire Awards, the winners are presented... Kermode Award for Best Actor International Cinephile Society Award for Best Actor Cinephile Kenny Inglis and Susan Wallace are the duo behind Cinephile, a trip-hop band from Glasgow famous for the song "What Becomes of Us ?" which was played during an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.... London Film Critics Circle Award for British Breakthrough of the Year - Acting London Film Critics Circle Awards 2007 The 28th Critics' Circle Awards, given by the London Film Critics Circle in February 2008, honoured the best in film for 2007.-Actor of the Year:Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood *Tommy Lee Jones - In the Valley of Elah... Nominated - British Independent Film Award for Best Actor British Independent Film Awards The Moët British Independent Film Awards is an annual award ceremony celebrating achievement in independently funded British film and cinema. Nominations and jury are announced at the beginning of November with the award ceremony taking place in late November or early December.-History:The British... Nominated - Chlotrudis Award for Best Actor Chlotrudis Award for Best Actor The Chlotrudis Award for Best Actor is an award given by the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film to the actor or actors whose winning performance is voted by participating members. The Chlotrudis Awards is an annual ceremony where the best of the previous year's independent and international... Nominated - London Film Critics Circle Award for British Actor of the Year London Film Critics Circle Awards 2007 The 28th Critics' Circle Awards, given by the London Film Critics Circle in February 2008, honoured the best in film for 2007.-Actor of the Year:Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood *Tommy Lee Jones - In the Valley of Elah... Nominated - Online Film Critics Society Award for Breakthrough Performer Online Film Critics Society Awards 2007 ----Best Picture:No Country for Old MenThe 11th Online Film Critics Society Awards, honoring the best in film for 2007, were given on 9 January 2008.-Best Picture:No Country for Old Men*Atonement*Juno*There Will Be Blood... Nominated - BAFTA Awards Rising Star Award |
| 2008 | Franklyn Franklyn Franklyn is a 2008 British film written and directed by Gerald McMorrow as his debut feature. Produced by Jeremy Thomas, it stars Ryan Phillippe, Eva Green and Sam Riley. Shooting took place in London in the fourth quarter of 2007. Franklyn held its world premiere at the 52nd London Film Festival... |
Milo | |
| 2010 | 13 13 (film) 13 is an English-language remake of the 2005 French film 13 Tzameti. The film is directed and written by Géla Babluani, who directed and wrote the original film. A trailer was released in August 2010.-Plot:... |
Vince | |
| 2011 | Brighton Rock | Pinkie Brown Pinkie Brown Pinkie Brown is a fictional character, the main character and antihero of Graham Greene's 1938 novel Brighton Rock.-Character overview:In the novel, Brown is portrayed as an up-and-coming gangster, the teenaged leader and enforcer of a powerful gang in the Brighton underworld... |
|
| 2012 | On the Road | Sal Paradise Sal Paradise Salvatore “Sal” Paradise is the narrator and the protagonist in Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road. Sal, an Italian American youth living in New Jersey with his aunt, is an uninspired writer working on a book who follows and accompanies Dean Moriarty, a young and reckless Denver vagrant, on his... |
Post-production |