Peter Riegert Biography: Wife, Age, Height, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Career

Peter Green, professionally known as Peter Riegert, is an American character actor, screenwriter, and director whose career spans nearly five decades. He emerged as a distinctive presence in both film and television.

Riegert gained early recognition for his comedic yet grounded roles in cult classics like Animal House (1978), Local Hero (1983), and Crossing Delancey (1988), later earning acclaim as Lt. Kellaway in The Mask (1994). His television work includes recurring turns on The Sopranos, Damages, Law & Order: SVU, and Succession.

Beyond acting, Riegert earned an Academy Award nomination for directing the short By Courier (2000) and has authored or directed features such as King of the Corner, showcasing his multifaceted talents.

Profile

• Full Name: Peter Riegert
• Stage Name: Peter Greene
• Born: April 11, 1947
• Age: 77 years old
• Birthplace: The Bronx, New York, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor, Screenwriter, Director
• Height: 1.72 m
• Parents: Lucille Riegert, Milton Riegert
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Cornelia Read Riegert (m. 2019)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $6 million

Early Life and Education

Peter Riegert was born on April 11, 1947, in The Bronx, New York, to Lucille, a piano teacher, and Milton Riegert, a food wholesaler. Raised in Hartsdale, New York, in a culturally Jewish household, he graduated from Ardsley High School in 1964 and went on to earn a degree from the University at Buffalo in the State University of New York system.

Following graduation, Riegert held various jobs—including teaching, waiting tables, and social work—before pursuing acting full-time. He identifies as White, and his specific religious affiliation has not been publicly documented.

Career

Peter Riegert began his acting journey in theater and early television before breaking into cinema. He made his Broadway debut in Minnie’s Boys (as Chico Marx) and later appeared in other notable stage productions.

His first film role came with Animal House (1978), where he portrayed the memorable frat brother Donald “Boon” Schoenstein, launching his screen career. Following this debut, he took roles in Local Hero (1983) and Crossing Delancey (1988), displaying his range from eccentric comedy to heartfelt character roles.

Riegert’s career matured in the 1990s with his performance as Lt. Mitch Kellaway in The Mask (1994), establishing him as a compelling supporting actor in mainstream film. He continued to appear in acclaimed movies including Traffic and We Bought a Zoo.

Simultaneously, he explored directing and writing, with his short film By Courier (2000) earning an Academy Award nomination and his feature King of the Corner (2004) marking his directorial debut.

More recently, Riegert has maintained a steady presence on television. He held recurring roles on series such as The Sopranos (2001–2002), earning an Emmy nomination for Barbarians at the Gate (1993), roles on Damages, Law & Order: SVU, The Good Wife, Dads, and Succession (2021).

His body of work demonstrates longevity and versatility across genres and formats, reflecting a legacy rooted in character-driven performances across film, television, and stage.

Social Media

Peter Riegert does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Peter Riegert married author Cornelia Read in 2019 in Central Park’s Shakespeare Garden. He maintains a private personal life and has no children.

In the 1970s, he dated and lived with actress-singer Bette Midler—reflecting a colorful personal history that remains more subdued in recent years.

Filmography

• Animal House (1978) – Donald “Boon” Schoenstein
• Local Hero (1983) – MacIntyre
• Crossing Delancey (1988) – Sam Posner
• The Mask (1994) – Lt. Mitch Kellaway
• Traffic (2000) – Attorney Michael Adler
• We Bought a Zoo (2011) – Delbert McGinty
• By Courier (2000) – Director/Writer (Academy Award–nominated short)
• King of the Corner (2004) – Director, Co‑Writer, Lead Role
• Succession (2021) – Roger Pugh

Net Worth

Peter Riegert’s estimated net worth is approximately $6 million USD. His earnings stem from a sustained career in acting across film, television, and stage, supplemented by writing and directing income, and notable work on projects like By Courier and King of the Corner.