Eric Lee Riley

Eric Lee Riley, of Chatham, MA and Brooklyn, NY, died peacefully in his New York home on January 6th, 2025 with his soul mate and husband of 44 years, Gregory Heyl by his side.  Eric valiantly battled but ultimately passed away due to pancreatic cancer.  
Eric was born in Albion, MI, attended the University of Michigan and came to New York City to pursue a career in the musical theatre.  He subsequently spent years on and off Broadway and working in theaters around the globe.  On Broadway, Eric starred in shows such as Ain’t Misbehavin’, Dreamgirls, was the original PaPa Ge in the Tony Nominated Once On This Island, and A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden.  He toured in the Broadway productions of A Chorus Line, Hair, The King and I, Legends, and many other national and international theatrical productions.  Eric was also an extraordinary director and choreographer.  A directorial highlight of his career was his production of the smash Off Broadway hit musical Little Ham, written by Langston Hughes.
Eric and his husband Greg bought a home in Chatham in 2002 and spent most of the year there, but wintered on the island of Vieques, PR since 1998.  Whether in the NY theatrical community, Chatham or Vieques, Eric’s magnetic personality and undeniable talent served as a galvanizing force in all of these communities.  He will always be an inspiration for those he mentored, taught, or directed.  As an African American artist on the Broadway stage, he served as an inspiration for a generation of performers hoping to emulate his journey, marked by his determination, boundless creativity and vision.  Eric has been a proud member of Actors Equity Association, the Stage Directors and Stage Choreographers Union, and the Screen Actors Guild.
Eric is the son of the late Sherry and Patricia Riley, both of Battle Creek, MI.  In addition to his husband Greg, Eric is survived by his two sisters, Gina Riley and Tanya Fly, both of Brooklyn, NY.; son Brian Riley of MI; four grandsons and several aunts, cousins, in-laws and very close friends.  He will be loved by all of us forever.  
A celebration of his life will be planned for the future.