Ryan grew up in a southwest suburb of Minneapolis with his parents Barb and Mike and his younger sister Kelly. While growing up Ryan quickly took to his local theater. He participated in many productions throughout his youth but began to stray from his acting love to embrace something considered "cooler" by his peers. By high school Ryan had reluctantly placed his acting on the back burner and pursued other endeavors. After high school, Ryan went to college and completed a degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota. Upon completion he pursued a challenging corporate career with multiple Fortune 50 companies. He consulted as a registered investment advisor, licensed with the securities and exchange commission and the NASD. After what he felt was an unfulfilling run at the corporate game, a friend encouraged him to re-explore his undeniable passion of acting. Ryan took a class at a well renowned theater and immediately dove back in as he experienced the love he had experienced growing up as a kid. Ryan took every chance he could to refine his craft through instruction and practice. It wasn't long before he had caught the attention of people in the independent film community. He quickly booked several principal roles. He has portrayed a very wide range of characters crediting his unique portrayals to, among other things, his background in psychology, his love of the human condition, and his dedication to his craft. Ryan gained critical acclaim for his portrayal of Charles Manson in the Short Film Lie (2009/I). He also had to flex his acting muscles portraying a socially inept, home-schooled nerd in Potpourri (2011). Other roles included a beer drinking troublemaker in Hunting Buddies (2009), an ego-maniac, womanizing lead singer in a web series called "One Night Stand" (2010) and a charming but dangerous sociopath in Restraining Hollywood's In Harm's Way (2011). Ryan currently resides in Los Angeles, California and continues to work in film and television.