Sam Riley (born 8 January 1980) is an English actor and singer best known for his performance in the 2007 biographical film Control, about the life of Ian Curtis.
Early life
Riley was born in Menston, West Yorkshire, the son of "a textile agent and nursery school teacher". He was educated at Malsis School, Cross Hills, and at Uppingham School. He was turned down by both the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Career
Film
His breakthrough performance came when he played the role of Ian Curtis in the film 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 and featured Sean Harris as Ian Curtis. Riley's 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 4 February 2011. He also starred in Walter Salles' film adaptation of Jack Kerouac's autobiographical On the Road playing the narrator and protagonist Sal Paradise. He also has a small role in the 2011 German comedy Rubbeldiekatz, in which his wife Alexandra Maria Lara plays the female lead. His role is listed as "Wagenmeister". In Byzantium (2012), a film directed by Neil Jordan, he appears alongside Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan as "Darvell".
In 2012, Riley was cast as 'Diaval' in Disney's 'Maleficent', alongside Angelina Jolie. The film was released May 2014.
Modelling
He featured in the autumn/winter 2008 publicity campaign for the British fashion house Burberry, supervised by Christopher Bailey and shot by Mario Testino. He modeled the fall/winter 2014 Stefano Pilati-designed couture collection of Ermenegildo Zegna.
Music
For a few years he was the lead singer of the Leeds 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
As of 2011, he lives in Berlin with his wife and Control co-star Alexandra Maria Lara. They married in August 2009 and have a son, born in January 2014.
Filmography
References
External links
- Sam Riley at the Internet Movie Database
- Myspace
- Burberry website featuring Sam Riley