Chuck Riley was an American actor known for his deep voice and contributions to various films and television shows. He provided voice work for several notable productions, including The Godfather, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and Titanic.
Personal and Family Life
Born Charles Daniel Hanks Jr. on July 21, 1940, in Kaplan, Louisiana, Chuck was the first child of Charles and Irene Hanks. In 1952, his family moved to Duncan, Oklahoma, where he graduated high school in 1958. Chuck began his career as a disc jockey at KOMA in Oklahoma City, later using the name Chuck Dann and briefly Charlie Tuna. He married in 1972 and relocated to the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles in 1979, where he became a prominent voice artist.
Career Highlights
Chuck Riley gained recognition for his deep and commanding voice, contributing to many films and commercials throughout his career. He worked with major studios such as Universal, Paramount, Warner Brothers, and 20th Century Fox. In addition to films, Chuck narrated TV documentaries and many Disney children’s audio books. He was still active in voice-over work at the time of his passing.
Death and Legacy
Chuck Riley passed away on May 10, 2007, in Sherman Oaks, California, at the age of 66 due to renal failure. He left behind five children, and his work continues to be remembered in the entertainment industry, especially for his unique voice that contributed to many beloved films.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Killing of America | 1981-09-05 | Narrator (voice) |
| Something a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to ‘It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World’ | 1991-01-01 | Narrator (voice) |
| Galaxies Are Colliding | 1998-01-06 | Narrator (voice) |
| Meet the Robinsons | 2007-03-23 | Narrator (voice) (uncredited) |
| Nixon | 1995-12-22 | Narrator (voice, uncredited) |
| Ghosts Caught on Tape: Fact or Fiction? | 2000-04-27 | Self |
| Tarzan | 1999-06-18 | Narrator (voice) |
| Atlantis: The Lost Empire | 2001-06-02 | Narrator (voice) |
| The Rocketeer | 1991-06-21 | Narrator (voice) |