Alan Ritchson
Alan Ritchson | |
---|---|
Born | Alan Michael Ritchson November 28, 1982 |
Education | |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2003–present |
Spouse |
Catherine Ritchson
(m. 2006) |
Children | 3 |
Alan Michael Ritchson (born November 28, 1982) is an American actor, model, singer and songwriter. He made his acting debut as Aquaman / Arthur Curry on The CW superhero series Smallville (2005–2010), where he appeared as a guest star between the fifth and tenth seasons. Ritchson gained further prominence for portraying Thad Castle on the Spike TV sitcom Blue Mountain State (2010–2012), a role he reprised in the 2016 film sequel. He also headlined the SyFy action series Blood Drive (2017). In 2018, he returned to superhero television as Hank Hall / Hawk on the DC Universe / HBO Max series Titans. Ritchson left Titans in 2021 and, in 2022, began portraying the title character on the Amazon Prime Video series Reacher.
Outside of television, Ritchson played Raphael in the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot and its 2016 sequel, along with appearing in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013). He made his directorial debut and co-starred in the action-comedy Dark Web: Cicada 3301 (2021).
Early life and education
Ritchson was born on November 28, 1982, in Grand Forks, North Dakota He is the son of Vickie Ritchson, a high school teacher and David Ritchson, a retired U.S. Air Force chief master sergeant.[1] He is the second of three boys. During his childhood, his family moved to Rantoul, Illinois. At age 10, Ritchson's family settled in Niceville, Florida.[2] He attended Niceville High School and graduated in 2001. In a 2013 interview with Indonesian magazine Da Man, he stated that he once obtained a full music scholarship.[3] From 1999 to 2003, he attended as a dual-enrollment student and graduated with an Associate of Arts degree at Okaloosa Walton Community College, now Northwest Florida State College. He was a member of the Fine Arts division's Soundsations and Madrigal Singers.[4][5][6]
Career
Modeling
He began his modeling career in the Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue.[7]
Television
Alan Ritchson first came to the attention of the public in 2004 when he appeared on American Idol as one of the top 87 contestants in the third season before being cut in Hollywood. His appearance on the show was noted for his striptease in one episode in which he wooed judge Paula Abdul.[8]
His television acting credits include a recurring guest star role on the television series Smallville as Arthur Curry, a.k.a. Aquaman,[9] a small role as an army officer in the 2006 Hallmark Channel movie Though None Go with Me alongside Cheryl Ladd, and the role of Lucian Manet in the 2009 Lifetime original film Nora Roberts' Midnight Bayou. His role in Smallville marked the first time that an actor portrayed Aquaman in an officially licensed live-action production.[9][10] His Smallville co-star, Justin Hartley, has since portrayed Aquaman in an unaired pilot of the same name. Ritchson reprised his role as Aquaman in the final season.[11] In 2009, he appeared on a third-season episode of Starz's Head Case in which he played a male stripper. Ritchson also made an appearance on CSI: Miami, in which he played a dead victim in episode 19 of season 8. In 2011, he appeared in an episode of season 3 of 90210 as a love interest for main character Teddy Montgomery (Trevor Donovan).[12]
In 2010, he started playing the main role of Thad Castle, the captain of a college football team, in Spike TV's Blue Mountain State.[13] He stayed on the show until it was cancelled after its third season in February 2012.[14] He also appeared in a number of television shows, including Hawaii Five-0. In 2015, Ritchson became a regular on the NBC variety show I Can Do That (based on the Israeli variety show) alongside Nicole Scherzinger, Ciara, Joe Jonas, Cheryl Burke and Jeff Dye, and hosted by Marlon Wayans.[15][16][17] In 2016, he appeared in "Nosedive", an episode of the anthology series Black Mirror.
In 2017, he played the main character in the Syfy series Blood Drive.[18] In 2018, Ritchson played the recurring role of Hank Hall / Hawk in the DC Universe series Titans.[19] His initial deal was for just two episodes but he was promoted to a series regular for the second season. Producers decided to reduce the number of characters and Ritchson was written out of the series.[20]
In 2020, Ritchson was announced to be portraying Jack Reacher in an eponymous series on Amazon Prime.[21]
Films
Movie credits include a role in the 2006 film The Butcher, as well as a minor role in 2009's Fired Up! In 2007, director Robert Zemeckis used Ritchson for his facial image, physique and movement for actor Ray Winstone of the title character of Beowulf.[2]
Ritchson portrayed Gloss, a tribute in the 75th Hunger Games, in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013). Ritchson also portrayed Raphael in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a reboot to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film series after the four previous films.[22][23] Ritchson would later criticize producers of the new TMNT live-action films, claiming they mistreated him and other actors portraying the turtles during and after filming.[24]
He returned to his role as Thad Castle in the Blue Mountain State movie, Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland. Ritchson co-starred in Rooster Teeth Production's first feature-length movie—the science fiction comedy Lazer Team in January 2016.[25] He also played a medium role in The Wedding Ringer.
In 2018, Ritchson was announced as the director, co-writer, and producer of Dark Web: Cicada 3301, a comedy-thriller film inspired by the eponymous organization.[26] He also co-starred as an NSA agent.[27] The film will be the first original project of Phreaker Films, a film fund run by Ritchson.[26] The rights for Dark Web: Cicada 3301 were acquired by Lionsgate in 2020,[27] who released the film digitally on March 12, 2021.[28][29]
Personal life
Ritchson resides in Florida with his wife Catherine and their three children.
Other work
Other projects include an independent album called This Is Next Time, released in late 2005 and appearing in a Russian commercial for Orbit gum. Ritchson also appears in a web series entitled, Enormous Friends[30] with his Blue Mountain State co-star, Rob Ramsay.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2006 | The Butcher | Mark | |
2007 | Steam | Roy | |
2008 | Rex | Chase | |
2009 | Fired Up! | Bruce | |
2013 | The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | Gloss | |
2014 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Raphael | |
2015 | The Wedding Ringer | Kip Loyola / Carew | |
2016 | Lazer Team | Adam | |
2016 | Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland | Thad Castle | |
2016 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows | Raphael | |
2018 | Office Uprising | Bob | |
2019 | Above the Shadows | Shayne | |
2019 | The Turkey Bowl | Ronnie Best | |
2020 | Ghosts of War | Butchie | |
2021 | Dark Web: Cicada 3301 | Agent Carver | Directorial debut |
2023 | Fast X† | Post-production | |
TBA | Ordinary Angels† | Filming |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | American Idol | Himself | Episode 3.1 |
2005–2010 | Smallville | Arthur Curry / Aquaman | 4 episodes |
2006 | Though None Go with Me | Army officer | Television film |
2009 | Head Case | N/A | Episode: "Tying the... Not" |
2009 | Midnight Bayou | Lucian Manet | Television film |
2010–2011 | Blue Mountain State | Kevin Devlin "Thad" Castle | Main role |
2010 | CSI: Miami | Paul Arnett | Episode: "Spring Breakdown" |
2011 | 90210 | Tripp Wilson | Episode: "The Enchanted Donkey" |
2012 | Fred: The Show | Expired Cow | Episode: "Expired Cow" |
2013 | Hawaii Five-0 | Freddie Hart | Episode: "Olelo Paʻa" |
2014 | The Rebels | Tyler Stokley | Episode: "Pilot" |
2014 | New Girl | Matt | Episode: "Micro" |
2014 | Infomercials | Kent Ross | Episode: "Alpha Chow" |
2015 | I Can Do That | Himself | Contestant |
2015 | Workaholics | Troy Torpey | Episode: "Speedo Racer" |
2016 | Black Mirror | Paul | Episode: "Nosedive" |
2017 | Blood Drive | Arthur Bailey | Main role |
2018–2021 | Titans | Hank Hall / Hawk | Recurring role (season 1); main role (season 2–3) |
2018 | Alexa & Katie | Robbie | Episode: "Thanksgiving" |
2019 | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Young Norm Scully | Episode: "Hitchcock & Scully" |
2019 | Supergirl | Hank Hall / Hawk | Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One" |
2020 | Legends of Tomorrow | Hank Hall / Hawk | Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part 5" |
2022–present | Reacher | Jack Reacher | Main role |
Video games
- Beowulf: The Game (2007), as Beowulf (character model)
Discography
Albums
- This Is Next Time (2006)
References
- ^ Ricketts, Dusty (April 14, 2013). "Niceville's Alan Ritchson to appear on 'Hawaii Five-0'". Northwest Florida Daily News. Archived from the original on November 27, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ a b "Rising Star Alan Ritchson: From Abercrombie to Aquaman". Netscape Celebrity. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
- ^ Liem, Ronald (December 1, 2013). "Exclusive Cover Story: Alan Ritchson". Da Man.
- ^ "Working ShowBiz - Featuring Alan Ritchson". Emerald Coast TV. May 13, 2014. Archived from the original on July 10, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ^ Delgado, Lauren (May 14, 2014). "'Hunger Games' actor tells NWFSC students: 'We are our own personal marketing force'". Northwest Florida Daily News. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
- ^ "Actor Alan Ritchson, College Alum, Visits Campus". Mattie Kelly Arts Center. May 15, 2014. Archived from the original on November 20, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
- ^ Cooke, Bruno (February 6, 2022). "Alan Ritchson's first modelling gig was in the Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue". The Focus. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ Oldenburg, Ann (August 9, 2012). "'Hunger Games' casts hunky Alan Ritchson for Gloss role". USA Today.
- ^ a b Byrne, Craig (October 20, 2005). "American Tidal: KryptonSite Speaks With Alan Ritchson (Aquaman)". KryptonSite. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
- ^ "Aquaman (TV 1984)". IMDb. May 1, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
- ^ Abrams, Natalie (September 7, 2010). "Aquaman Returns to Smallville". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
- ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (January 13, 2011). "90210 Exclusive: Teddy Hooks Up With Aquaman!". TVLine. PMC. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ "Sam Jones and Alan Ritchson will be on Spike this summer in new college football comedy". OSCK. June 12, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (February 21, 2012). "Lionsgate's 'Blue Mountain State' Cancelled by Spike". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (March 3, 2015). "Ciara, Nicole Scherzinger, Joe Jonas, Cheryl Burke Join NBC Variety Show". People.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (May 26, 2015). "Armoza Betting on Game Show/Variety Revival With NBC's 'I Can Do That!'". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Steinberg, Jessica (April 8, 2015). "NBC to air 'I Can Do That' in late May". The Times of Israel.
- ^ Sokol, Tony (June 12, 2017). "Syfy's Blood Drive: Star Alan Ritchson On Stunt Driving and Outlandish Grindhouse". Den of Geek!.
- ^ Drum, Nicole (October 8, 2018). "'Titans' Alan Ritchson Says It Takes Eight People to Get Him in Hawk Costume". Comicbook.
- ^ Agard, Chancellor (September 23, 2021). "Titans star on character's 'beautiful' exit: 'The decision was made for me, and it was for the best'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 4, 2020). "'Jack Reacher': Alan Ritchson Cast As Title Character In Amazon TV Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ Fernández, Alexia (November 18, 2019). "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Actor Says Making Reboots Was 'the Worst Production Experience'". People.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 22, 2013). "'Hunger Games 2's Alan Ritchson To Play Raphael In 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'". Deadline.
- ^ Collider Podcasts (November 14, 2019). "Why Alan Ritchson HATED Filming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ Doty, Meriah (March 16, 2015). "Crowd-Funded 'Lazer Team' May Sneak Up and Zap You (Exclusive Trailer)". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ a b Hipes, Patrick (March 6, 2018). "Phreaker Films Launches With Silicon Valley VC Cash; Alan Ritchson To Run It". Deadline. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ a b Ramos, Dino-Ray (September 10, 2020). "Grindstone Acquires Alan Ritchson's Comedy-Thriller 'Cicada 3301'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ^ Adams, Tim (January 13, 2021). "Dark Web: Cicada 3301 Red-Band Trailer Recruits Titans Stars (Exclusive)". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
- ^ Price, Jason (January 14, 2021). "'Dark Web: Cicada 3301' - Cyber-Thriller Starring Alan Ritchson Hits Digital and On Demand March 12!". Icon Vs. Icon. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
- ^ Alan and Rob. "Enormous Friends". YouTube.
External links
- 21st-century American male actors
- American Idol participants
- American male film actors
- Male models from North Dakota
- American male singers
- American male television actors
- American male voice actors
- Songwriters from North Dakota
- Aquaman
- 1982 births
- Living people
- Male actors from Florida
- Male actors from North Dakota
- People from Rantoul, Illinois
- People from Grand Forks, North Dakota
- People from Niceville, Florida
- American people of Czech descent