Riley Keough is an American actress, producer, and former fashion model whose career reflects a deliberate movement away from inherited celebrity toward independent artistic credibility. Born into one of the most recognizable families in American cultural history, she entered the entertainment industry with unavoidable visibility but has consistently chosen roles that emphasize character complexity, emotional restraint, and auteur-driven storytelling over commercial prominence. By the mid-2020s, Keough established herself as a respected dramatic performer across film, television, and limited series. This biography explores Riley Keough’s age, height, family background, ethnicity, nationality, parents, marital status, professional career, net worth, wiki, and other key personal and professional details.
Quick Profile
- Full Name: Danielle Riley Keough
- Date of Birth: May 29, 1989
- Age: 37 years old (as of 2026)
- Birthplace: Santa Monica, California, United States
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: White American (English, German, Irish, Scottish descent)
- Parents: Lisa Marie Presley (mother), Danny Keough (father)
- Profession: Actress, producer, former fashion model
- Years Active: 2010–present
- Marital Status: Previously married (2015–2023)
- Awards Recognition: Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nominations
Early Life and Education
Riley Keough was born in Santa Monica, California, to singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley and actor-musician Danny Keough. She is the granddaughter of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, a lineage that placed her in the public eye from birth. Her childhood was marked by frequent movement between California and Hawaii, reflecting the nontraditional structure of her family life following her parents’ separation.
Keough was primarily educated through homeschooling and alternative education models rather than traditional schooling. This approach accommodated extensive travel and early exposure to creative environments but diverged from conventional academic pathways. Her upbringing emphasized experiential learning over formal credentials, a structure that later aligned with her entry into modeling and acting.
This unconventional early environment shaped both her comfort with public visibility and her determination to establish an identity independent of inherited fame.
Career
Riley Keough’s career is defined by conscious differentiation. Rather than leveraging family legacy for immediate stardom, she pursued roles that prioritized psychological depth, emotional precision, and narrative risk. Her professional trajectory reflects a sustained preference for artistic credibility over spectacle.
The structure of her career illustrates how disciplined project selection can gradually reshape public perception.
Early Career and Modeling
Keough began her professional life in fashion, signing with major modeling agencies and appearing in campaigns for established luxury brands. While modeling provided early industry access, she treated it as a transitional phase rather than a permanent professional identity.
Her acting debut came in The Runaways (2010), followed by supporting roles that allowed her to develop technical skill without immediate lead expectations. These early performances established competence while keeping public scrutiny measured.
Breakthrough and Critical Recognition
Keough’s breakthrough arrived with Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), in which she portrayed Capable. The role introduced her to a global audience without centering her family background. She followed this with American Honey (2016), a critically acclaimed independent film that solidified her reputation for immersive, character-driven work.
She continued to build credibility through psychologically intense and stylistically ambitious projects such as It Comes at Night, The Lodge, and Zola, reinforcing her alignment with independent and auteur-led cinema.
Recent Work and Industry Position
In 2023, Keough starred as the lead in Daisy Jones & the Six, portraying a fictional rock vocalist navigating fame, creativity, and personal fracture. The performance earned her Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nominations and marked her most prominent lead role to date.
Alongside acting, she has expanded into producing, signaling a gradual shift toward creative authority and long-term control over storytelling.
Important Roles
- Mad Max: Fury Road – International breakthrough role.
- American Honey – Defining independent film performance.
- It Comes at Night – Psychological horror with critical impact.
- The Lodge – Minimalist, tension-driven lead performance.
- Zola – Stylized contemporary indie cinema.
- Daisy Jones & the Six – Career-defining television lead.
Personal Life
Riley Keough married stunt performer Ben Smith-Petersen in 2015. The couple separated in 2023 after maintaining a largely private relationship for several years. In 2022, Keough became the mother of a daughter via surrogate, a development she later acknowledged publicly while maintaining discretion around family life.
She is the eldest sibling of the late Benjamin Keough and actress Harper Lockwood. Following the death of her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, in 2023, Keough assumed increased responsibility within her family’s legacy.
Physical Measurements
- Height: Approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm)
- Body Type: Slim
- Eye Color: Blue
- Hair Color: Blonde
Social Media Presence
Keough maintains a selective social media presence, using platforms primarily for professional updates rather than continuous personal exposure.
- Instagram: @rileykeough
Net Worth and Financial Context
Riley Keough’s net worth is estimated to be in the multi-million-dollar range. Her financial position reflects income from acting, producing, modeling, and her role as sole trustee of the Elvis Presley estate since 2023. This profile reflects career sustainability rather than reliance on inherited fame alone.
Trivia & Contextual Facts
- She is the granddaughter of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley.
- She became sole trustee of the Elvis Presley estate in 2023.
- She earned Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for Daisy Jones & the Six.
- She consistently favors independent and auteur-driven projects.
- She transitioned from fashion modeling into acting without rebranding theatrics.
FAQs
Is Riley Keough related to Elvis Presley?
Yes. She is the granddaughter of Elvis Presley through her mother, Lisa Marie Presley.
What is Riley Keough best known for?
She is best known for Mad Max: Fury Road, American Honey, and Daisy Jones & the Six.
Has Riley Keough received major awards recognition?
She has earned Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nominations.
Does Riley Keough have children?
Yes. She has one daughter, born in 2022 via surrogate.
What role does Riley Keough play in the Elvis Presley estate?
She became the sole trustee of the Elvis Presley estate in 2023.
How has Riley Keough differentiated herself from her family legacy?
Through sustained commitment to independent, character-driven, and auteur-led projects.
