Riley Harper was destined for a life on set. His father was a renowned stuntman and Riley was around eight years old when he made his on-screen stunt debut getting thrown out of shot by Will Ferrell in Old School. These days he’s the go-to guy for major movies, coordinating set pieces on the likes of Iron Man, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, The Batman, and Top Gun: Maverick.
Off set, he’s a successful photographer, travelling regularly and collaborating with luxury brands around the world, and is happiest behind the wheel of a vintage car or motorbike, driving a little more sedately than the day job demands. We caught up for a post-drive debrief in LA…
Quote to live by
‘Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at four o’clock in a mostly empty bar. Go somewhere you’ve never been. Listen to someone you think may have nothing in common with you. Order the steak rare. Eat an oyster. Have a negroni. Have two. Be open to a world where you may not understand or agree with the person next to you, but have a drink with them anyways. Eat slowly. Tip your server. Check in on your friends. Check in on yourself. Enjoy the ride.’ – Anthony Bourdain
Favourite museum/gallery
Tate Modern in London.
Book that shaped you
Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger.
Favourite artist
David Hockney.
Accent/language that turns you on
French.
Favourite bar
Bar Basso, home of the negroni in Milan.
Favourite cocktail
Negroni always.
Comfort food
Homemade bolognese.
Most memorable meal
At DaV Mare in Portofino harbour.
Best vintage/antique find
A Hasselblad in a New York vintage camera store.
Architecture that awes you
All of Ancient Rome.
Homewares you hunt while travelling
Crystal cocktail and martini glasses.
Design decade you feel at home in
Mid-century modern.
Go-to spa treatment
A 90-minute deep-tissue massage followed by a sauna and a cold plunge.
How do you unwind?
I go for a canyon motorcycle ride.
Most regrettable holiday purchase
A beat-up rental Vespa on a small Italian island that was only held together with zip ties and duct tape.
Your must-pack outfit
Linen pants, a white tee, and Sperry top siders.
Most stylish place
Portofino.
City you’d move to
Barcelona.
Best place you’ve ever swum
Tahiti.
Best beach you’ve ever found
I’ll never tell…
It’s not a holiday without…
Hotel sex.
Guilty pleasure
A great club sandwich in a robe on a hotel balcony.
@account to follow
@nostalgia.killer
Pool or ocean
Ocean.
Define love in three words
Paige Baxter Watkins.
Define sex in three words
That felt good.
Riley was shot on location in Calabasas, California, by Jay Gullion. His prints are on sale at Life of Riley.