Kicking off his acting career in 2007, Sam Riley experienced instant stardom, thanks to his starring role as Ian Curtis, the lead singer of the 1970s post-punk band Joy Division, in the biographical film "Control". The character won him a string of prestigious awards, including the British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer, Chicago International Film Festival Award for Best Actor, also Empire Award for Best Newcomer.

The following year, Riley starred in British science fiction film "Franklyn", after which he was billed to play the lead role of Vincent Ferro in "13", an English language remake of the French thriller "13 Tzameti". He, afterwards, landed the character of Pinkie Brown in "Brighton Rock", which earned him a nomination for Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Actor. In the years that followed, he appeared in "On the Road", "Byzantium", and "Maleficent".

In addition to acting, Riley also used to have music career with band 10,000 Things, for which he served as the lead singer. The band disbanded in 2005 after releasing one self-titled album.

Riley was born in Menston, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom on January 8, 1980. He's been married to actress Alexandra Lara since August 2009. The couple has a son, born in January 2014.