Renny Roker facts for kids

Renny Roker is an American actor and promoter. He has worked in music and sports. He also helped run record labels with his brother, Wally Roker, in the 1970s. Renny Roker has been acting since the 1960s and continues to act today.

About Renny Roker

Renny Roker was born on September 6, 1942, in New York City. He has lived in many different places. These include South Carolina, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. From a young age, Renny wanted to be an actor. He was just ten years old when he first dreamed of acting.

He went to college in Puerto Rico. There, he studied drama and speech. As a teenager, he won a DJ contest. This allowed him to work as a DJ during his college years. Renny Roker is also related to TV personality Al Roker and actress Roxie Roker. In 2015, he published a book called Positivity.

Acting Career

Renny Roker started acting when he was about 15 years old. His first role was in a Puerto Rican soap opera. It was called Recuerdos de Maria. He played one of Maria's neighbors.

He later played Detective Galey in the 1999 film Kidnapped in Paradise. This movie was directed by Rob Hedden.

Notable Film and TV Roles

• Skidoo (1968) – Prison guard
• Terror in the Sky (1971) – Phone operator (made for TV)
• Melinda (1972) – Dennis Smith
• The Ballad of Billie Blue (1972) – Al
• The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat (1974) – Voice actor
• Tough (1974) – Phil (also helped the producer)
• Joey (1975) – Chris Townes
• Brothers (1977) – Lewis
• And Baby Makes Six (1979) – Mailman (made for TV)
• Honky Tonk Freeway (1981) – Sheriff
• Mysterious Two (1982) – Williams (made for TV)
• The Versace Murder (1998) – Barnie Rogers
• Kidnapped in Paradise (1999) – Lieutenant Galey (made for TV)
• Technopolis (2015) – Nathan (short film)

Music Business

Renny Roker and his brother, Wally Roker, ran Roker Records. This record label released music from 1969 to 1971. They released songs by famous artists like Irma Thomas, Swamp Dogg, and Gloria Lynne.

In 1970, they started another company called Canyon Records. They later changed its name because it was too similar to another company. Their Roker Record Group included several labels. These were RRG, Roker, Soulclock, and Stardom.

In the late 1970s, Renny was the president of R&B Productions in Los Angeles. He also organized the First Funk Fest in Chicago. This big music event had 70,000 people attend!

Sports Promotion

Renny Roker helped start Teens on the Green. This group helps young people from minority backgrounds learn and play golf. It also gives them access to fancy golf courses. Some teens from the program have even played golf in other countries or in college. Some have even joined the LPGA, a professional golf tour for women.

Renny also founded Jag BMX bicycles. He was a big promoter of BMX racing. He organized the first-ever Jag World Championships in Indianapolis. He even helped get BMX racing shown in an episode of the TV show C*H*i*P*S. Renny also started his own BMX team, Jag BMX. In 2023, Renny Roker was honored by being inducted into the BMX Hall of Fame.