Robert O'Reilly
Acting • Born 1950-03-25
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
Filmography
58 credits
Whore
Movie • 1991
Younger Man in Car
Moonbase
Movie • 1997
Karl Stark
Roddenberry on Patrol
Movie • 2003
Officer #2
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Way of the Warrior
Movie • 1995
Gowron
Desert Kickboxer
Movie • 1992
Paul
Under Surveillance
Movie • 1991
Whitey
By Dawn's Early Light
Movie • 1990
FEMA Radioman
The Circuit
Movie • 2019
Party Plane
Movie • 1991
Air Traffic Controller
Candyman: Day of the Dead
Movie • 1999
L.V. Sacco
Steel Frontier
Movie • 1995
Evermore
The Mask
Movie • 1994
The Figure
The Steel Collar Man
Movie • 1985
Johnny
Star Trek's Favorite Moments
Movie • 2004
Himself
The Omega Code
Movie • 1999
Technician
Good Luck
Movie • 1997
Bartender
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Redemption
Movie • 2013
Gowron
Falcon Crest
TV • 1981
Mr. Kumar
Murder, She Wrote
TV • 1984
A.J. Grodin
Hardcastle and McCormick
TV • 1983
CHiPs
TV • 1977
Ryan
Star Trek: Enterprise
TV • 2001
Kago-Darr
Numb3rs
TV • 2005
Kurt Delock (uncredited)
The Incredible Hulk
TV • 1977
Star Trek: The Next Generation
TV • 1987
Gowron
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
TV • 1993
Sketch
T. J. Hooker
TV • 1982
Jack Riker
Otherworld
TV • 1985
The Guardian
TV • 2001
Quinn Jankowski
Simon & Simon
TV • 1981
Knight Rider
TV • 1982
Jake Simpson
Highway to Heaven
TV • 1984
Manimal
TV • 1983
Walker, Texas Ranger
TV • 1993
Mark Dunford
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
TV • 1983
MacGyver
TV • 1985
Curt Neilson
Archie Bunker's Place
TV • 1979
The Equalizer
TV • 1985
Fur Collar Man
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
TV • 1993
Rudy Exner
Voyagers!
TV • 1982
Hunter
TV • 1984
Willem Sunderson
The Fall Guy
TV • 1981
Crazy like a Fox
TV • 1984
Cop Rock
TV • 1990
The Shuttlepod Show
TV • 2022
Self
Sledge Hammer!
TV • 1986
Assassin
NYPD Blue
TV • 1993
Calvin James / Carl Shivers
Murder, She Wrote
TV • 1984
Stephen Ridgely
Star Trek: The Next Generation
TV • 1987
Scarface
Knight Rider
TV • 1982
Snyder
A Captain's Log
TV • 2021
Self
The Flash
TV • 1990
Victor Kelso
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
TV • 1993
Gowron
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
TV • 1993
Countman
The Equalizer
TV • 1985
Chance
Cheers
TV • 1982
Ed Fogerty
Trauma Center
TV • 1983
T. J. Hooker
TV • 1982
Sheehan