Karon Riley

Karon Joseph Riley (born August 23, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL), Canadian Football League (CFL) and Arena Football League (AFL). He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 2001 NFL draft. Riley played college football for the SMU Mustangs and Minnesota Golden Gophers. He is now a television actor and producer.

Early life At Martin Luther King High School in Detroit, Michigan, Riley starred in football, basketball, and track&field. As a senior, in football, he was an All-City choice, an All-Metro choice, and an All-State choice.

Professional career Riley entered the National Football League by being selected by the Chicago Bears in the 4th round (103rd overall pick) of the 2001 NFL draft out of the University of Minnesota. He played with the Bears in 2001 and the Atlanta Falcons (2003-2004).

In 2005, he played two games in the Canadian Football League with the Toronto Argonauts.

On January 30, 2006, Riley signed with the Redskins as an unrestricted free agent but was released on August 28, 2006

Riley played two seasons in the Arena Football League with the Las Vegas/Cleveland Gladiators (2007–2008) as an offensive lineman/defensive lineman. On August 8, 2008, Riley was removed from the Gladiators roster and reassigned to the Arena Football 1 League office.

Acting career Riley has appeared in a few films and television shows since 2010 including Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns, 35 and Ticking, The Last Punch, Last Call, Mann & Wife and the 2019 film Little.

In 2019, Riley appeared in a recurring role on Bounce TV soap opera-drama Saints & Sinners. He was the first replacement made in the series recast as the character Malik Thompson, previously portrayed by Anthony Dalton in 2018. Riley has starred as main character Malcolm in the hit series "The Black Hamptons" since 2022.

He is also a film producer, in which his credits include two films.

Personal life Riley is married to actress Terri J. Vaughn and on April 24, 2008, Vaughn welcomed their first child, a son named Kal'El Joseph Riley.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2010 This Time Malcolm Short 2011 35 and Ticking Roderick 2012 A Cross to Bear Trey TV movie 2013 Between Sisters Sheldon TV movie A Christmas Blessing Oscar TV movie Marry Me for Christmas Blair TV movie 2014 Where's the Love? Dale TV movie Lyfe's Journey Rob White TV movie Marry Us for Christmas Blair TV movie 2015 Blaq Gold Grail Jacobs TV movie A Baby for Christmas Blair TV movie 2016 The Last Punch Muhammad Ali Merry Christmas, Baby Blair TV movie Beat Street Prince Video 2017 When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story Robert TV movie 2018 Gentrification Michael Shields Breakthrough Officer Lorenzo Daryl The Mothers Officer Bentley Short Chandler Christmas Getaway Blair TV movie The Morning After: Part One Michael Coins for Christmas Jake TV movie Related Destiny Chico Short 2019 Thirty Javon Short Little Tony The Waiting Room Steven His, Hers & the Truth Xavier 2020 Coins for Love Jake TV movie Vault of Terrors David Short Pinch Simon Ross 2021 Stick Me Up Thomas Liam White: The Forgettable Life of Liam White Chris The Holiday Switch Jay Rich Letters from the Bottle Amos Naphish 2022 The Love We Had Corey Wright Red Winter Jerrod Stronger Jarrod Out of Anger Alex Single Not Searching Rodney The Holiday Stocking Wilson Whitlock TV movie Eighteen Gerald Harris 2023 It's Lonely at the Top Kane Once Upon a Time in the District Demond Praise This Bartender Rob It's Lonely at the Top II Kane A Mother's Intuition Alphonso The Comeback Calvin Christmas at the Frat House Keith 2024 Vampire's House of Cain Hanson 2025 Careful What You Ask For! Kev South Haven Nate Broad Day Agent Blanco

Television Year Title Role Notes 2010 Meet the Browns Medic Episode: "Meet the Cheating Liver" 2012 Single Ladies Baller Episode: "Eat, Play, Love" Boulevard West Malachi Main Cast 2013 Necessary Roughness Damani Jensen Episode: "The Fall Guy" Walking with Gods Detective John Marcus Main Cast Love Thy Neighbor Marty Episode: "The Black Tie Affair" 2017 Mann & Wife James Episode: "Mann in Charge" 2018 Insatiable Chase Episode: "Pilot" The Pre-Quarter Life Crisis Mykell Episode: "Super Lit" 2019 Last Call Julian Episode: "Bird & The Beast" American Soul Corporal Siprian Episode: "Continuous Revolution in Progress" Ambitions Roderick Recurring Cast BET Her Presents: The Waiting Room Steven Episode: "The Waiting Room" 2021 The Bottom Reggie Main Cast Saints & Sinners Malik Thompson Recurring Cast: Season 5 2022 Twisted Darnell Episode: "Long Day" 2022-24 The Black Hamptons Malcom Britton Main Cast 2023-24 Wicked City The Handler Main Cast: Season 1, Guest: Season 2 2025 She the People Michael Recurring Cast