Born in Philadelphia, PA to a military family, Jennifer Riker grew up the oldest of four children. She knew acting was her love after the lead role, at age six, as the Little Red Hen. Her first commercial came at age seven, for 7-Up, and her first film at age 15, the lead in an HBO family showcase special entitled Wildwood Nights.

As a teen she performed regularly with the Young People's Theater Co. of the Delaware Valley and won a Best Actress award at the Bucks County Playhouse competition for excellence in both her comedic and dramatic performance. In addition, she was also a regular on Rap Around, a teen talk show on KYW TV in Philly.

Upon graduation from high school, her father moved the family to Florida, where Jennifer attended Florida State University, receiving her B.F.A. and graduating top of her class, garnering the prestigious Golden Key National Honors Society award.

Degree in hand, she wasted no time packing her bags and moving north to New York City. After doing some theater work she realized an extra edge against the female talent in NYC would be a useful commodity, so she auditioned and got into the Yale School of Drama's M.F.A. program. While at Yale, Jennifer Riker became passionate about a program called the Dwight Edgewood project, modeled after the 52nd Street Project of NYC, which mentored inner city youth through theater and playwriting.

After completing her MFA, she moved back to New York and almost immediately landed roles on Law and Order, Third Watch, Law and Order: S.V.U, Guiding Light, Another World, as well as various commercials & voiceovers. She also became involved with Builders of the New World, an inner city youth program much like the one she loved at Yale.

After her success in New York, Jennifer made her way out to California and settled in West Hollywood, where she currently resides, to further pursue a career in television. Her most recent appearances were co-starring roles on FX's The RICHES and NUMB3RS.

When not acting, Jennifer maintains her passion for children by volunteering throughout Los Angeles. She also enjoys drum class, reading, hiking, hosting game nights & dinner parties for close friends, and trying new restaurants around town.

Read on to see her upcoming appearances.