Sean Riley (TV host)

Sean Riley is the current host of the National Geographic Channel's "World's Toughest Fixes" in which he travels around the world performing on-site feats of engineering. Riley was raised on a secluded walnut orchard in Redding, CA before attending the University of California, Santa Cruz. He majored in theater and while originally intent on acting, became particularly interested in set design mechanics. It was during these years at UCSC that he grew increasingly involved with the technical aspects of rigging and lighting, primarily for the purposes of live performance, rather than the more industrial purposes his talents are applied to on television. Riley left UCSC without fulfilling the general education requirements prescribed by the university. Nevertheless, Riley utilized his hands-on training, when he moved to San Francisco and began rigging and electrical work for a number of independent and local operations. After enjoying moderate success, Riley founded Gravity Design, an independent rigging company.

Riley was picked up by National Geographic when he responded to a Craigslist advertisement that was looking for a host for an as-of-then unnamed show. The advertisement was looking for people with a unique skill-set including welding certification, scuba certification, first aid certification, rigging experience, etc. These skills, coupled with his theater background at UCSC made him an ideal candidate for the job. A few months later, the pilot episode was filmed, and it aired on September 28, 2008. The show is currently in its third season.

External links

• National Geographic Channel official network website
• Gravity Design Riley's San Francisco based company