Ryan grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, making his theatrical debut at age 5 in the Christmas pageant at church. He wanted to play an angel, but was cast as a story teller instead…probably because he talked too much. He then went on to star in countless dance routines, movies, plays, concerts, ballets, operas, soaps, sitcoms and puppet shows in his bedroom, often drafting his older brother Kevin to play a spear carrier. After years of a rigorous schedule, which included, but was not limited to, choir, plays and clown troupe, Ryan took a break from performing in the seventh grade to play basketball…poorly. After that humiliating experience, Ryan returned to the stage where he belonged. After years of community theatre, high school plays, and starring as “the nerd” in the independent film “Shooting Star”, Ryan was accepted into the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music where he received a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre.

While at BW, Ryan performed in KISS ME KATE (Gremio), THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (Grumio), the Ohio premiere of PASSION (Lt. Torrasso), THE MOST HAPPY FELLA (The Post Man), FALSETTOLAND (Mendel), WORKING (Charlie/Booker), THE ADVENTURES OF FRIAR TUCK (The Sheriff of Nottingham), COMPANY (Paul), MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (Charley Kringas), THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (The Major General), NINE (Guido), as well as many original works and four years of the annual dance concert, where his piece “Fable” (co-choreographed with Kim Koljat) premiered his senior year.

While still enrolled at Baldwin-Wallace College, Ryan started working professionally around Cleveland. Some credits include A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (Protean), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Seymour) for which Ryan was named Best Actor in a Musical 1997 by SCENE Magazine, THE MUSIC MAN (Salesman #1/Dance Captain/u/s Marcellus) all at Cain Park, SHE LOVES ME (u/s Sipos), THE MOST HAPPY FELLA (Max), A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (u/s Mr. Lindquist), RICHARD III (u/s Cardinal & Prince of Wales) at Great Lakes Theater Festival, A WONDERFUL LIFE (Paul Martini), and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Balthasar) at the Cleveland Playhouse.

After graduating, Ryan won critical acclaim as the Courier in the national tour of 1776. Ryan also shot the award-winning cult film “Target Audience” for Triple Fire Productions (which ran frequently on SHOWTIME and LOGO). Some regional credits include SHE LOVES ME (Bus Boy, u/s Sipos and Arpad) at the Paper Mill Playhouse, GYPSY starring Donna McKechnie at Great Lakes in Cleveland (Yonkers/Bourgeron-Couchon), A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD (Toad) at Clarence BrownTheater, GREASE (Doody) at Virginia Musical Theatre, THE WHO’S TOMMY (Allied Soldier #1/Local Lad) at Cherry County Playhouse, WEST SIDE STORY (Baby John) & FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Motel, the Tailor) at Carousel Dinner Theatre, and GREASE (Straight-A) at The Reagle Players. In New York, Ryan has appeared with The Talking Band in BITTERROOT (Lyle/Sheilds) & STAR MESSENGERS (Herr Schmid/Tengnagel) at La MaMa, FIRST YOU DREAM (singing behind Heather Headley), CHESS in Concert (ensemble), ENTER GOD (Howard) at the Producers Club, A BLIND OPTOMIST at Second Stage, THE BIRDS the Musical (Deke) for Firsthand Theatre Project, and PARIS (Talthybius) for Foundry Productions. Ryan recently appeared as Sir Andrew in ILLYRIA for Prospect Theater Company, the Professor in ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (Abridged) at The Hangar Theatre, toured Ireland and parts of the US in ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (Abridged) with The Reduced Shakespeare Company,originated many roles in IF YOU GIVE A PIG A PANCAKE and Other Story Books for Theatreworks USA, shot several commercials for Virginia Lottery, appeared in Jon Haller's "Office Jam" for Equal, starred in Brent Hankins "Waffle Jet" and can be seen improvising at the People's Improv Theatre.

Ryan returned from a year long stint with Disney Cruise Line in late Octover 2010, originating the role of PAIN in [title of show]'s Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen's VILLAINS TONIGHT! as well as performing in 8 other shows!  He then appeared in A FUNNYTHING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Paper Mill Playhouse and in the readings of MERTON OF THE MOVIES, THE UNFORTUNATE SQUIRREL, and THE HONEYMOONERS starring Jim Belushi.  Ryan also appeared on "The Onion News Network" and is busy writing new projects.