Riley Voelkel Biography: Films, Pictures, Awards, Siblings, Parents, Age, Boyfriend, Net Worth, Height, The Originals

Riley Emilia Voelkel, known professionally as Riley Voelkel, is an American-born Canadian actress celebrated for her portrayal of Freya Mikaelson in The CW’s The Originals and its spin-off Legacies.

With a career spanning film and television, she has showcased her versatility in roles such as Renee Segna in Starz’s Hightown and Jenna Cameron in Roswell, New Mexico.

Voelkel’s charismatic performances and ability to navigate complex characters across genres have solidified her as a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

Profile

• Full Name: Riley Emilia Voelkel
• Stage Name: Riley Voelkel
• Born: 26 April, 1990
• Age: 35 years old
• Birthplace: Elk Grove, California, U.S.
• Nationality: American, Canadian
• Occupation: Actress, Model
• Height: 1.73m
• Parents: Siegfried Martin Voelkel, and Victoria Raugust
• Siblings: Connor Voelkel, Sully Sage
• Partner: Michael C. Robertson
• Children: None
• Relationship: Engaged
• Net Worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Riley Emilia Voelkel was born on April 26, 1990, in Elk Grove, California, to Siegfried Martin Voelkel, of German descent, and Victoria Raugust, also of German descent with some Polish ancestry.

She grew up with two brothers, Connor Voelkel and Sully Sage, and was raised in Calgary, Alberta, after her family moved there during her childhood.

Voelkel attended Pleasant Grove High School in California, where she was involved in competitive softball and served as rally commissioner, performing skits to entertain peers.

Specific details about her higher education are not publicly available, as she pursued modeling and acting shortly after high school. Her ethnicity is primarily German with a small amount of Polish, and her religious beliefs are not publicly known.  

Career

Riley Voelkel began her career in modeling after being discovered at an open casting call in her hometown just before heading to college. She moved to Los Angeles, where she booked commercials and transitioned into acting after taking a class recommended by her agent.

Her first acting role was an uncredited part as a club girl in The Social Network (2010), followed by her first starring role as Carrie in the independent film The Secret Lives of Dorks (2013).

She gained early recognition for her recurring role as Jenna Johnson in HBO’s The Newsroom (2012–2014), working alongside Jeff Daniels and learning from Aaron Sorkin’s acclaimed production.  

Voelkel’s breakthrough came in 2014 when she was cast as Freya Mikaelson in The Originals, initially a recurring role in season two that evolved into a series regular position for seasons three through five, appearing in 60 episodes. Her portrayal of the powerful witch earned her a dedicated fanbase, and she reprised the role in three episodes of Legacies (2019–2022).

During this period, she also starred in the unsold Amazon pilot Point of Honor (2015) and took on roles in films like Scrambled (2024) and TV movies such as Advance & Retreat (2016). Her performance in American Horror Story: Coven (2013) as young Fiona Goode further showcased her ability to handle intense, dramatic roles.  

Voelkel’s recent work includes a starring role as Renee Segna in the Starz crime drama Hightown (2020–2024), where she portrayed a complex former exotic dancer, requiring her to train in pole dancing and explore vulnerable, gritty emotions.

She also played Jenna Cameron in Roswell, New Mexico (2019–2022) and Milena Jovanovic in Chicago Med (2022–2023), demonstrating her range across genres.

Her ability to bring depth to multifaceted characters, combined with her collaborative approach on set, has earned her critical praise and respect within the industry. Voelkel’s performances continue to resonate with audiences, particularly in supernatural and crime dramas.  

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @rileyvoelkel
• Facebook Handle: Riley Voelkel
• Twitter Handle: @rileyvoelkel

Personal Life

Riley Voelkel has been in a relationship with Michael C. Robertson, a photographer and video production professional, since October 2016. The couple got engaged in March 2021.

They have no children but share a pet cat named Quentin. Voelkel, who splits her time between Los Angeles and Calgary, enjoys yoga, pilates, and spending time in nature to maintain balance in her demanding career.

Filmography

• The Social Network (2010)
• Prom (2011)
• Hidden Moon (2012)
• The Secret Lives of Dorks (2013)
• Synthesizers (2013)
• Scrambled (2016)
• Advance & Retreat (2016)
• Brampton’s Own (2018)

Net Worth

Riley Voelkel has an estimated net worth of $1 million. Her wealth primarily derives from her acting career, with significant earnings from her long-running role in The Originals and her work in Hightown and Roswell, New Mexico. Her early modeling career, including commercials, and occasional film roles, such as in Scrambled, also contribute to her financial portfolio.