William Thomas Riker ( Jonathan Frakes ) was born in Valdez, Alaska, Earth in 2335.    His mother died when he was only 2 and he was raised by his father, Kyle Riker.   The elder Riker left his son when he was 15, which caused a lot of resentment in Will  until they worked it out at age 30. 

Will graduated from Starfleet Academy in 2357 ranked 8th in his class.    As of 2369 he had received five decorations.   His first assignment after graduating was to the U.S.S. Pegasus, a ship that disappeared in 2358 under mysterious circumstances.  Early in his career Riker was stationed on the Planet Betazed where he had a romantic relationship with Deanna Troi, later to be the counselor aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise D.    Riker chose to make Starfleet his priority over the relationship and accepted a posting to the U.S.S. Potemkin.    While aboard the Potemkin Riker led a rescue mission to Nervala IV.    This dangerous mission brought a promotion to Lt. Commander and a citation for exceptional valor.    A by product of this rescue was the creation of a second Riker due to a transporter malfunction.   This fact was not determined until years later.

Riker joined the Enterprise D at Deneb IV.   Riker has turned down command of other Starships, including the U.S.S. Drake, U.S.S. Aries, and the U.S.S. Melbourne. Riker served aboard a Klingon vessel, the Pagh, as part of an officer exchange program. "A Matter of Honor"

Riker likes unconventional solutions to problems.  Data once noted that he chose conventional solutions less than one-quarter of the time.    Riker's hobbies include cooking and jazz music and he has a reputation as a pretty good trombone player.

Director:
Episodes 64 "The Offspring"
Episodes 81 "Reunion"
Episodes 95 "The Drumhead"
Episodes 118 "Cause and Effects"
Episodes 135 "The Quality of Life"
Episodes 160 "Atached"
Episodes 166 "Sub Rosa"

Deep Space 9 Episodes "The Search 2","Civil War","Past Tense2"

Voyager Episodes "Projections","Parturition","Prototype"

Star Trek "The first Contact"

Guest:
Deep Space 9 Episodes "Defiant"
Voyager Episodes "Death Wish"