Today we’d like to introduce you to Karon Joseph Riley.
Karon Joseph Riley was born a star. At least that is what his mother would say and tell him often while growing up in Detroit, MI. Karon knew he wanted to be an actor after he played Puss and Boots in a stage play in the first grade. But soon after this awakening, his athletic talents would emerge, and everybody pushed him towards athletics. And being a crowd-pleaser from the jump, he entertained everybody with his athletic prowess. Whether it was football or basketball, which was his first love, he found his destiny led him to football, where he excelled. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a psychology degree, the all-time leader in sacks and an All-American football player. His performance on the stage of play as he always called it, led him to become a 4th round draft pick to the Chicago Bears, which led to him playing four seasons in the NFL, and three years in the CFL and AFL.
After playing seven seasons as a professional football player, he retired and set his sights on Hollywood as he promised he would. Through sports, and many lessons from his mother, once an aspiring actress herself, Karon was taught that hard work is the only way to make the blueprints that God downloaded into him as dreams to come true. So while he was still playing, he would fly to L.A. and take acting classes in his off-seasons, and once he retired from football, he spent a year losing weight, transforming his body from that of a football player to a leading man. In between climbing the ladder of “Hollywood South”, and setting his sights on becoming an author of his unreleased book “The Man Laws” and writing scripts for himself and others to bring to life, he is raising his three beautiful kids, Daylen, Kal’El, and Lola with his beautiful Queen the incomparable Terri J. Vaughn. Armed with an unwavering belief in himself, a good dose of talent, charisma, an indomitable work ethic, Will Smith, Dwayne Johnson and the World should expect a new brother to the mix, and he goes by the name of Karon Joseph Riley.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are no smooth roads in life. There the roads that our ancestors have paved for us, and then there are the roads we have chosen to create. Which in the end creates a perfect blend of destiny and challenge. First, I always see the struggle as a learning experience of self. When you struggle, it’s usually because you were not strong enough for the load that came at you. And if you are seeing it properly you can say ok, today I’m not strong enough and this is a struggle. But you rest in know that you will not quit and keep pedaling until you are strong enough and it’s not a struggle. So the biggest struggle for me has been an adjustment to the success of it all. Have a great couple of months or year and then you can stall. Believing that too is apart of the journey can make you doubt yourself and your vision. It’s important to keep people around you that can spot you on your struggle and give an encouraging word or just a damn hug. So no, it’s hasn’t been easy but I’ve been fortunate to have people around me to remind me of myself. And my vision.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a testament to his belief in himself and his work ethic, he booked his first speaking role in Russ Parr’s Romantic comedy, “35 and Ticking,” starring Kevin Hart and Meagan Goode. After that, Karon saw himself steadily booking roles on three different Tyler Perry shows. He also got around to other networks on shows like “Single Ladies” and “Necessary Roughness”. In 2015 Karon won one of his dream roles, portraying his childhood hero, Muhammad Ali in the soon to be released independent film, “The Last Punch,” alongside Keith David (Greenleaf) and Ron Reaco Lee (Survivors Remorse). Continuing to build on his resume Karon booked a starring role in the hit Christmas movie “Marry Me for Christmas”, starring Malinda Williams and Victoria Rowell for the UPTV network and Netflix. He would follow that with four more installments; ‘’Marry Us For Christmas’’, ‘‘Marry Christmas Baby’’, “Babies First Christmas”, “Chandlers Christmas Getaway’’. As if he didn’t already own the title of “Mister Marry Me for Christmas,” he did two more Christmas movies, “A Christmas Blessing,” and “Coins for Christmas,” for TVONE and BET in that order.
Since beginning his acting career nearly 11 years ago, he is poised for this best year yet, by starting last year in 2018, booking a guest star role on the hit show of the summer Love Is on the OWN network. He followed that up by a role in Will Packers feature film “Little” starring Issa Ray and Regina Hall. And even guest-starred on “American Soul” on BET. As if he could not be having a big enough year, he found himself in yet another dream role opportunity playing alongside Brian J. White, Robin Givens, and Essence Atkins in the New series “Ambitions” on Starz. Then followed that up by a series regular role on season four of bounce tv hits show saints and sinners. What sets Karon apart from others is his unwavering belief in himself and the unison of that being a belief in God. Still knowing and understanding the two are separate but one in the same.
What were you like growing up?
I was a kid who believed in the magic of it all. The thrill of life, learning, growing and falling. I wanted to be an actor as early as the first grade. I played puss in boots in a play. And from that moment of my mother screaming her approval, I knew that is what I wanted. Sports came shortly thereafter, and I focused the same creative energy into sports and made a show of it. After all life is but stage. And when not on said stage, it’s just a beach chair.
Contact Info:
- Email: bookingkjr@gmail.com
- Website: www.karonjosephriley.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/karonjosephriley
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaronJosephRiley/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/karonjriley
- Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm3829841/
Image Credits:
Photographer: Antoine Duane Jones
Designer 1: Miguel Wilson Collection
Designer 2: Christofer Ryan Designs
Stylist: Nicole Crump
Pose Coach: Chamise Renee
Special Thanks: Felipe G-Stylist
Publicist: Jannelle M. Forbes
