What's After the Movie
Robert Ryan
Robert Bushnell Ryan (November 11, 1909 - July 11, 1973) was an esteemed American actor and activist. He was widely recognized for his portrayals of hardened police officers and ruthless villains, performing on screen for over three decades. Ryan was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film noir drama Crossfire in 1947. Born and raised in Chicago, he graduated from Dartmouth College in 1932. Ryan held a remarkable array of jobs after graduation, before deciding to pursue acting in 1936 following his father's death.
He joined a theater group in Chicago in 1937 and later enrolled in the Max Reinhardt Workshop in Hollywood. Ryan made his way to the silver screen in the 1939 play Too Many Husbands, which led to an offer from Paramount. Despite facing initial rejection, he was eventually offered a $75 per week contract. Ryan was signed by RKO after performing on Broadway in a production of the Clash by Night. His popularity grew in the 1940s, featuring in numerous successful films including Tender Comrade and Marine Raiders. During World War II, Ryan served as a drill instructor at Camp Pendleton, in Southern California, and took up painting. His breakthrough role came in Crossfire, for which he earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards. Ryan continued to work despite being diagnosed with inoperable cancer in the early 1970s, remarking that he had a 'good shot at life.'
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Robert Ryan, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Robert Ryan rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Robert Bushnell Ryan
Born: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: November 11, 1909
Occupations: Actor, activist
Years Active: 1940-1973
Children: 3
Spouses: Jessica Cadwalader
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Robert Ryan
Lawman
The Wild Bunch
The Professionals
His House
Flying Leathernecks
On Dangerous Ground
Cruella
Hour of the Gun
House of Bamboo (1955)
Kraven the Hunter
FX’s A Christmas Carol
The Men Who Made the Movies: Samuel Fuller
Sam Peckinpah’s West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade
Barbara Stanwyck: Fire and Desire
Jack and the Beanstalk: After Ever After
The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn
Hansel & Gretel: After Ever After
Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend
The Lost Pirate Kingdom
Ring of Desire
The Notorious Lone Wolf
Lolly-Madonna XXX
Strong Boy
Bad Day at Black Rock
King of Kings
Caught
Marine Raiders
Beware, My Lovely
Horizons West
The Iceman Cometh
Back from Eternity
The Boy with Green Hair
The Canadians
City Beneath the Sea
Trail Street
Lillian Russell
The Dirty Game
The Walls Came Tumbling Down
Gangway for Tomorrow
Golden Gloves
Ice Palace
Escape to Burma
Queen of the Mob
Born to Be Bad
Billy Budd
Hard, Fast and Beautiful
Slightly French
About Mrs. Leslie
Her Twelve Men
The Naked Spur
Alaska Seas
The Ghost Breakers
Berlin Express
Inferno
The Crooked Road
The Woman on Pier 13
And Hope to Die
Lonelyhearts
Tender Comrade
The Love Machine
God’s Little Acre
Bombardier
The Woman on the Beach
Crossfire
The Tall Men
The Man Without a Country
The Racket
Battle of the Bulge
Day of the Outlaw
Custer of the West
The Proud Ones
Men in War
Kid Galahad
The Secret Fury
Act of Violence
Executive Action
The Texas Rangers Ride Again
Simon and Garfunkel: Songs of America
Odds Against Tomorrow
The Set-Up
It Had to Be You
Captain Nemo and the Underwater City
House of Bamboo
Best of the Badmen
Return of the Bad Men
Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down The Line
A Minute to Pray, a Second to Die
The Busy Body
The Outfit
North West Mounted Police
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Robert Ryan, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1986
The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn
Self (archive footage)
Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend
Self (from Clash by Night [1952]) (archive footage)
1973
Lolly-Madonna XXX
Pap Gutshall
The Iceman Cometh
Larry Slade
The Man Without a Country
Lt. Cmdr. Vaughan
Executive Action
Foster
The Outfit
Mailer
1969
The Wild Bunch
Simon and Garfunkel: Songs of America
Self - Host
Captain Nemo and the Underwater City
Captain Nemo
1955
Bad Day at Black Rock
Reno Smith
Escape to Burma
Jim Brecan
The Tall Men
Nathan Stark
House of Bamboo
Sandy Dawson
1953
City Beneath the Sea
Brad Carlton
The Naked Spur
Ben Vandergroat
Inferno
Donald Whitley Carson III
1951
Flying Leathernecks
On Dangerous Ground
Hard, Fast and Beautiful
Seabright Tennis Match Spectator (uncredited)
The Racket
Nick Scanlon
Best of the Badmen
Jeff Clanton
1949
Caught
Smith Ohlrig
Slightly French
Carnival Barker (uncredited)
The Woman on Pier 13
Bradley Collins / Frank Johnson
The Set-Up
Stoker
1948
The Boy with Green Hair
Dr. Evans
Berlin Express
Robert Lindley
Act of Violence
Joe Parkson
Return of the Bad Men
Sundance Kid
1947
Trail Street
Allen Harper
The Woman on the Beach
Scott Burnett
Crossfire
Montgomery
It Had to Be You
Fight Referee (uncredited)
1946
The Notorious Lone Wolf
Plainclothesman (uncredited)
The Walls Came Tumbling Down
Detective Regan (as Bob Ryan)
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