LIFE OF RILEY
THE CAST

Lisa Datz (Riley)
Lisa Datz is “a dynamic force in the entertainment industry, seamlessly transitioning between roles as a critically acclaimed actor, director, writer, producer, and voiceover artist.”
— American Film Market’s Just Cinema International Magazine
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Originally from Highland Park, IL, Lisa holds a B.F.A. from the University of Michigan’s prestigious School of Music, Theatre & Dance. She rose to prominence in the original Broadway casts of TITANIC and THE FULL MONTY (opposite Patrick Wilson), made her mark Off-Broadway as ‘Yitzhak’ in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (starring opposite John Cameron Mitchell). Regional theatre highlights include: THREE DAYS OF RAIN, CRIMES OF THE HEART, THE PAVILION, and THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA.
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Television audiences know her from roles on FBI: MOST WANTED (opposite Dylan McDermott), ELEMENTARY (with Lucy Liu), CASTLE, and BONES. Her film credits include THE PERFECT HOLIDAY (with Gabrielle Union) and THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER. In the world of gaming, Lisa is beloved for voicing ‘Jessica LeClerk’ in RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2.
Her directorial debut, LIFE OF RILEY, has earned widespread festival and critical acclaim—winning the Jury Prize for Best Short Film at the Los Angeles International Film Festival, Best International Short at the London Independent Film Festival, the Indie Spirit Award, and Best Ensemble Cast at the Idyllwild Festival of Cinema. The film was also an Award Finalist at the Austin Film Festival, New Short Film Festival, and the Romford Film Festival in the UK.
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Lisa was named one of American Film Market’s “Rising Female Directors to Discover”, and one of “10 Filmmakers to Watch” at the Los Angeles International Film Festival. As her directing career continues to blossom, she returned to FBI: Most Wanted to shadow Executive Producer and acclaimed television director Ken Girotti for Season 5, Episode “The Return.”
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A former competitive figure skater, Lisa’s passions include hip-hop dance, horseback riding, and European travel. She divides her time between Los Angeles and New York.

Sergio Carlo (Juan Carlos)
Sergio Carlo is a renowned Dominican actor and political activist, celebrated for standout roles such as Carbo in Andy García's THE LOST CITY and Manolo Tavarez opposite Michelle Rodriguez in TRÓPICO DE SANGRE. He has also shared the screen with notable actors like Gael García Bernal in CUBAN BLOOD and Zoe Saldana in LA MALDICIÓN DEL PADRE CARDONA, and most recently in James Gunn's THE SUICIDE SQUAD. Born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, Sergio moved to Boston at 16 to study television and radio broadcasting. Besides acting, he's recognized for co-hosting the TV show CHEVERE NIGHTS and currently helms the radio program 12 y 2.

Silas Weir Mitchell (Simon)
Silas Weir Mitchell has appeared in hundreds of episodes of TV., and is perhaps best known for his 6 seasons on NBC’s GRIMM, and 2 seasons on FOX’s PRISON BREAK. Additional TV: LAW AND ORDER: SVU, S.W.A.T, CRIMINAL MINDS, PARADISE LOST, (Recurring) MY NAME IS EARL, THE MENTALIST, SIX FEET UNDER, DEXTER, COLD CASE, BURN NOTICE, THE CLOSER, THE SHIELD, 24, LAW & ORDER, CSI, NYPD BLUE, ER.
Silas has appeared on stage in New York (Playwrights’ Horizons, The Harold Clurman Theatre, HERE Theatre); in Los Angeles (The Actors’ Gang, Circle X, The Stella Adler Theatre); and regionally in California (La Jolla Playhouse), Ohio (The Porthouse Theatre) and Oregon (Portland Center Stage).

Dionne Gipson (DD)
Dionne Gipson hails from Peoria, Illinois. She is an original company member of the long-running hit live show, FOR THE RECORD. She has sung professionally for Rick Springfield, Wayne Brady and Public Enemy, has written songs for and played roles in the films, JOSIE AND THE PUSSY CATS, TROIS and BLACK DYNAMITE and has co-written alongside greats like Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Raphael Saadiq and Chris Collingwood. She has worked abroad in Australia with the revered and legendary director, actress and producer, Debbie Allen in the musical FREEZE FRAME as well as THE HOT CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER.
Her film credits include SWEET HOME ALABAMA, SQUATTERS and PEE WEE'S BIG HOLIDAY (Netflix. She’s recurred and guest starred on the hit television shows, FOUND, NCIS, CRIMINAL MINDS, THE WILDS, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and GREENLEAF.

Akende Munalula (Jeremy)
With Akende Munalula has acted opposite Stephen Dorff in DEPUTY on FOX, JK Simmons in COUNTERPART on STARZ Network, Tyler Perry in Tyler Perry’s Boo2; A Madea Halloween, and in other independent productions such as the Emmy nominated digital series, THE NEW 30, about a group of friends navigating life in their 40’s. He can also be seen in THE SALON released in 2020.
Akende has been a professional actor since 2015 when rejoined the Screen Actors Guild SAG-AFTRA. In 2015, he wrote and starred in CITY OF DREAMS, which premiered at the Action On Film Festival. He also appeared in shorts like TEAR JERKER, THE INCISION and others. Before that, Akende spent two years from 2012 to 2014 at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting.
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