Christopher Riordan, a talented actor, dancer, and choreographer, was born on November 25, 1937, in Redwood, California. He began entertaining in song-and-dance shows around the San Jose and San Francisco area from a young age, and after high school, he left home to pursue his dream in Hollywood.
In Hollywood, Riordan's life took a dramatic turn. He was cast in a small role in Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956) and later appeared in the uncredited role of Montgomery Clift's teenage son in Raintree County (1957). He then spent several years dividing his time between stage and nightclub work, performing in shows such as "Damn Yankees," "Carnival," and "Girl Crazy," as well as musical revues like "The Best of Broadway" and "That's Show Biz!"
In 1962, Riordan was discovered by Fred Astaire and Hermes Pan, who hired him as a dance partner for Barrie Chase in a new Las Vegas nightclub act. This led to appearances on The Hollywood Palace (1964) and TV variety shows. Riordan also assisted Pan with choreography in films like My Fair Lady (1964) and The Great Race (1965),as well as a Carol Channing special.
Throughout the 1960s, Riordan made numerous appearances on popular TV shows, including The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Batman, The Andy Griffith Show, Dr. Kildare, The Fugitive, The Outer Limits, The Monkees, Perry Mason, and The Lucy Show. He also appeared in several teen-oriented films, including Looking for Love (1964) and A Swingin' Summer (1965).
Riordan's most notable work came when he was hired as a background dancer in Viva Las Vegas (1964),starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret. He went on to appear in five more Elvis films, including Roustabout (1964),Tickle Me (1965),Spinout (1966),Clambake (1967),and Double Trouble (1967). Riordan was the only male performer to appear in more than one Elvis film and was referred to as the "favorite dancer" of the King.
In the 1970s, Riordan received featured actor billing in the cult films The Gay Deceivers (1969) and Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970). He also worked as a dancer or assistant choreographer on several beach party films, including The Girls on the Beach (1965) and The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966).
In his later years, Riordan found stability working in various stages as an actor or choreographer. He wrote, directed, and co-produced a local Los Angeles interview show called "Show Talk" in 1989 and later became the artistic director at the Lyric Theater, where he directed productions of "Once Upon a Mattress" and "Don Juan in Hell."
Riordan continued to work in television, making guest appearances on shows like Ugly Betty (2006),Black-ish (2014),and Superstore (2015),where he played a semi-regular character. He has also made guest appearances at various autograph conventions and Presley festivals.
In his personal life, Riordan has one son, Sean, from a brief marriage in the 1960s. Sean works behind the scenes in films and television.
