Robert O'Reilly (born March 25, 1950) is an American film, stage, and television actor who has appeared in a variety of roles.

The television series he has appeared in include Cheers, Darkroom, Knight Rider, The Fall Guy, Sledge Hammer!, MacGyver, In the Heat of the Night, NYPD Blue, and twice in Dallas.

[2] The episode was directed by TNG cast member Jonathan Frakes, and O'Reilly later said that he thought he was hired both for the sense of curiosity he brought to the role and a piercing, unsettling gaze he and others referred to as "that crazy loon eyeball thing".

Given the relationship between Gowron and Dorn's character, Worf, O'Reilly thought that this might lead to his return to a Star Trek television series too.

He was thankful for the role, as he felt that the writers and producers of the show had created it for him specifically as his family was trying to adapt following the birth of his triplets.

[2] After his retirement from acting, he continues to attend Star Trek conventions, including performing in character as Gowron alongside J. G. Hertzler as fellow Klingon Martok.