Riley Edward Donoho: Holly Marie Combs’ Son in 2024

Editorial TeamBiographyDecember 23, 2025

Riley Edward Donoho, born October 26, 2006, is the middle son of actress Holly Marie Combs and producer David Donoho. At 18 years old in 2024, Riley has grown up largely away from Hollywood’s spotlight despite his mother’s fame from shows like Charmed and Pretty Little Liars.

Who Is Riley Edward Donoho?

Riley Edward Donoho entered the world on October 26, 2006, in Los Angeles, California. He’s the second of three sons born to Holly Marie Combs and David W. Donoho. His mother gained fame playing Piper Halliwell in the supernatural drama Charmed, which ran for eight seasons and made her a household name; her role as Piper Halliwell is iconic.

Riley turned 18 in October 2024. Unlike many celebrity children who build social media followings or pursue entertainment careers, Riley has maintained a private life. This isn’t by accident—his mother made deliberate choices to shield her children from public scrutiny.

The confusion online about Riley’s identity stems from conflicting information. Some sources incorrectly list birth years of 1997 or 1998, while others mix him up with different people entirely. The accurate information confirms Riley was born in 2006, making him 18 as of late 2024.

Family Background and Hollywood Heritage

Holly Marie Combs built her career long before Riley was born. She first gained recognition in Picket Fences during the 1990s, earning a Young Artist Award for her performance. Her breakthrough came with Charmed in 1998, where she played Piper Halliwell for all eight seasons—the only cast member to appear in every single episode.

Riley’s father, David W. Donoho, worked as a key grip on Charmed. The couple began dating in 2003 and married on Valentine’s Day 2004. Their relationship gave them a shared understanding of the entertainment industry’s demands and pressures.

The marriage ended in 2011 when Holly filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Despite the split, both parents focused on providing stability for their three sons. Holly later married Mike Ryan in September 2019, creating a blended family that now includes a stepdaughter.

Riley’s Brothers: A Close-Knit Trio

Riley grew up sandwiched between two brothers, creating a dynamic household in Los Angeles. His older brother, Finley Arthur Donoho, was born on April 26, 2004—just months before his parents’ wedding. Finley later joined the U.S. military and made headlines in July 2024 when he got a tribute tattoo honoring Shannen Doherty after her death.

The youngest brother, Kelley James Donoho, was born on May 26, 2009. Here’s an interesting detail: all three boys were born on the 26th of their respective months. Holly has mentioned this coincidence in interviews, noting the pattern across October, April, and May.

The three brothers reportedly share a close bond. Holly has described the typical sibling dynamics—Finley initially excited about baby Riley, then less thrilled when Riley became old enough to grab his toys. By the time the boys reached their teen years, that early rivalry had transformed into a genuine brotherly connection.

Growing Up in Private Despite Public Parents

Holly Marie Combs made conscious decisions about her children’s exposure to fame. She rarely posted photos of her sons on social media and avoided bringing them to red carpet events. When Riley’s first photos appeared in 2008 through Celebrity Baby Blog, fans noticed Holly had waited nearly two years before allowing any public images.

This approach continued throughout Riley’s childhood. While other celebrity kids built Instagram followings or attended high-profile events, Riley remained largely invisible to the public eye, unlike his peers, who often share pictures of Riley Edward Donoho. Holly believed children deserved normal childhoods, free from the scrutiny and pressure that comes with fame.

The family lived in Burbank, where the boys attended school and participated in regular activities, with Riley often being the adorable little boy in the background. Holly mentioned her sons had horses and needed outdoor time daily—a glimpse into their grounded, active lifestyle. She wanted them to define themselves by their own interests and accomplishments, not by their mother’s television roles.

This privacy extends to educational details, which is important for the son of Holly. While it’s believed the boys attended private schools in the Los Angeles area, specific information about Riley’s schooling hasn’t been publicly shared, unlike the first pictures of Riley Edward. At 18, Riley has reached the age where he could choose to step into public view, but he’s continued respecting the privacy his mother established.

The Shannen Doherty Connection

Shannen Doherty, Holly’s Charmed co-star and close friend since the 1980s, played a significant role in the Donoho boys’ lives. Doherty and Holly maintained their friendship long after Shannen left Charmed in 2001, and “Aunt Shannen” became a fixture in the family.

Holly shared stories about Shannen’s babysitting adventures on her House of Halliwell podcast. In one memorable incident, Shannen let Finley fall off a bench at a Malibu park while paparazzi captured the moment. Both were laughing afterward, but Holly joked about “brain damage all around,” especially with her son, Riley Edward Donoho, around.

Shannen also taught young Finley colorful language, making him repeat phrases that horrified and amused his mother in equal measure. Holly recalled threatening to fire Shannen as a babysitter but never quite following through—the bond between her friend and her sons, including her adorable little boy, was too strong.

When Shannen died in July 2024 after her battle with breast cancer, the impact on the family was profound. Finley, serving in the military at the time, received the news from his mother while on base. He immediately arranged for a tribute tattoo—a breast cancer ribbon designed to stand out from typical memorial ink. This gesture showed how deeply Shannen had touched the boys’ lives, particularly Finley and presumably Riley as well.

Riley Edward Donoho in 2024: What We Know

Riley reached adulthood in 2024, turning 18 in October. This milestone typically brings decisions about college, career paths, and independence. However, details about Riley’s current pursuits remain private.

Unlike his older brother Finley, who joined the military, Riley hasn’t made any public career announcements. He doesn’t maintain visible social media accounts, and he hasn’t appeared at public events with his mother. This could indicate a continued preference for privacy or simply reflect a young adult figuring out his path away from public attention, especially as the son of Holly.

What we can confirm: Riley comes from a family that values education, normal experiences, and strong relationships. His mother emphasized these priorities throughout his childhood. Whether he’s pursuing higher education, working, or exploring different interests, Riley has the foundation and resources to choose his own direction, thanks to his mother’s role as Piper Halliwell.

The lack of information isn’t a gap—it’s a feature of how Riley was raised. In an era where many celebrity children document their lives online, Riley’s absence from social media represents a different choice. It’s a continuation of the privacy his mother fought to maintain throughout his childhood, especially regarding the pictures of Riley Edward Donoho.

Common Questions About Riley’s Identity

Online searches for Riley Edward Donoho often return confusing results, but they sometimes include the hit TV series that made his mother famous. Some websites claim he was born in 1997 or 1998, which would make him 26-27 years old in 2024. Others suggest he’s the son of actress Teri Hatcher and Jon Tenney, but many know him as the son of Holly. None of this is accurate.

The correct facts: Riley Edward Donoho was born on October 26, 2006. He’s Holly Marie Combs’s second son with David Donoho. He turned 18 in 2024, marking a new chapter for the son of Holly and David Donoho. His older brother is Finley (born 2004), and his younger brother is Kelley (born 2009).

The confusion likely stems from internet misinformation spreading across low-quality content sites. Some websites generate articles using incorrect data, which then gets replicated by other sites, including misleading pictures of Riley Edward Donoho. Additionally, there may be other people named Riley Donoho, contributing to the mix-up.

For anyone researching Riley Edward Donoho, the most reliable sources are official announcements from Holly Marie Combs, entertainment news from the time of his birth, and fan communities dedicated to Charmed. Even then, information is intentionally limited out of respect for Riley’s privacy.

Riley’s story differs from many celebrity children because there isn’t much of a public story to tell. His mother succeeded in giving him something rare in Hollywood: a childhood and adolescence that belonged to him, not to public consumption. Whether Riley eventually chooses a public path or continues to value privacy, he has had the space to make that decision on his own terms.