Robert O'Reilly

Acting

Robert O'Reilly

Born 1950-03-25 · New York, New York, USA

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

Acting credits

The Mask poster
7.0

Timid bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss discovers a magical mask infused with the spirit of the Norse god Loki. Donning it transforms him into an unrestrained, green-faced, cartoon-like wild man. While the mask grants him the confidence to woo a local singer, it also makes him the target of a ruthless mobster.

The Mask

1994

Candyman: Day of the Dead poster
4.6

As the Day of the Dead celebration approaches the barrio of East Los Angeles, Caroline is challenged to control the horrifying legend of her ancestor, the "Candyman".

Candyman: Day of the Dead

1999

Whore poster
5.3

This melodrama investigates the life of a sex worker, in a pseudo-documentary style.

Whore

1991

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Way of the Warrior poster
6.1

When a Klingon fleet under General Martok arrives at the station ostensibly to protect the Alpha Quadrant from the Dominion, Sisko recruits Lieutenant Commander Worf to discover the Klingons' true intentions.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Way of the Warrior

1995

By Dawn's Early Light poster
6.5

A nuclear warhead launched by Soviet insurgents protesting the waning Cold War destroys the Ukrainian city of Donetsk. The destruction sets off a race between American and Soviet politicians to prevent a nuclear holocaust. While the U.S. president feverishly works to keep the military and political machine from going into overdrive, various subordinates panic. When the president is believed to be killed in a helicopter crash, zealous advisers take over.

By Dawn's Early Light

1990

Star Trek's Favorite Moments poster
4.0

Fans, cast and crew of the Star Trek shows reflect on their favorite moments from The Original Series.

Star Trek's Favorite Moments

2004

The Omega Code poster
4.5

An ancient prophecy is about to be fulfilled as a secret code brings the world to the edge of apocalypse.

The Omega Code

1999

The Circuit poster
1.0

The bold crew of the hit Sci-Fi TV series "Star Crew" are in for an adventure that will push them to their limits while they fight to find the heroes inside in time to save the world.

The Circuit

2019

The Steel Collar Man poster
8.0

An android soldier and its creator are on the run from the government (which it was created for and wants to destroy it), and find help from a truck driver with whom they help people.

The Steel Collar Man

1985

Steel Frontier poster
4.8

Set in a post-nuclear-holocaust future, this sci-fi western takes place in the frontier city of New Hope, the only place around with a working oil refinery. Ever since a megalomaniac general and his followers took over the place, life has been miserable. Then a stranger, a man-of-few-words, comes to town. A quick-drawing gunslinger, he first joins the conquerors. As time passes, however, it rapidly becomes apparent that he really sides with the townsfolk, and when the time is right, he leads them into a violent uprising.

Steel Frontier

1995

Under Surveillance poster
8.0

Two insurance investigators try to find out why the ex-partner of one of them was murdered.

Under Surveillance

1991

Desert Kickboxer poster
3.9

A kickboxing cop abandons the violent life after he accidentally kills his opponent during a match. After quitting, he heads for the Arizona desert to live alone and occasionally work tracking drug runners for the area sheriff. One particularly wily Mexican drug lord, Santos, has been a real thorn in tracker Joe Highhawk's side, so when he encounters the beautiful Claudia and her simpleton brother Anthony running for their lives because she, an accountant, embezzled $20 million from Santos, he decides to help them. This actioner follows what happens next. Along the way, they encounter all sorts of danger, and double cross until the exciting final standoff between the kickboxer and the villain.

Desert Kickboxer

1992

Dark Avenger poster
4.6

An acid-scarred judge turns masked avenger, backed by an electronics expert and her crime lab.

Dark Avenger

1990

Moonbase poster
4.4

The most dangerous criminals in the universe escape from the Off-World Penitentiary and stow away to the quiet Moonbase Waste Disposal Plant. Hidden beneath the lunar surface lies an arsenal of nuclear warheads- the inmates' passport home to earth. Moonbase Commander John Russell launches a desperate fight to save his crew from a force capable of laying waste to an entire planet.

Moonbase

1997

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Redemption poster
NR

The U.S.S. Enterprise travels to the Klingon Empire, where Captain Picard is to attend the installation of Gowron, the new Leader of the High Council. En route, the starship is intercepted by the Klingon ship bearing Gowron, who informs Picard that the heirs to the Duras family is amassing a rebel faction, and plotting civil war against the Empire. Follow Picard and Lieutenant Worf as they fight to end a Klingon Civil War, and redeem Worf's family name. "Redemption" is another epic 2-part Star Trek: The Next Generation episode re-edited as a feature-length presentation which was the Season Four finale and Season Five premiere.

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Redemption

2013

Good Luck poster
4.9

Bernard "Bern" Lemly is fed up with being in a wheelchair and wants more out of life. Meanwhile, former football player Tony "Ole" Olezniak is stewing after recently losing his sight. The men soon realize they can put their frustrated energy to good use by competing in a whitewater rafting race on Oregon's Rouge River. In the process, they discover their disabilities don't have to destroy their dreams.

Good Luck

1997

Party Plane poster
6.0

Condor Skyways has found a way to give passengers a pleasant flight. Everybody is first class and the attendants are all wearing the official uniform - a smile. Everyone has a view, but no one is fighting for a window seat. These are definitely the friendliest skies you'll ever fly.

Party Plane

1991