Wikipedia

Alan Ritchson

Alan Michael Ritchson(born November 28, 1982)[note 1]is an American actor. He made his acting debut asAquaman / Arthur CurryonThe CWsuperhero seriesSmallville(2005–2010), where he appeared as a guest star between thefifthandtenthseasons. Ritchson had a starring role in theSpike TVsitcomBlue Mountain State(2010–2012), a role he reprised in the2016 film sequel.He also headlined theSyFyaction seriesBlood Drive(2017), and returned to superhero television asHank Hall / Hawkon theDC Universe/HBO MaxseriesTitansfrom 2018 to 2021. He gained wider recognition for portraying thetitle characterin the ongoingAmazon Prime Videoaction thriller seriesReachersince 2022.

Alan Ritchson
Ritchson in 2022
Born
Alan Michael Ritchson

(1982-11-28)November 28, 1982(age 42)[note 1]
Grand Forks, North Dakota,U.S.
Education
OccupationActor
Years active2003–present
Spouse
Catherine Ritchson
​
(m.2006)​
Children3

Outside television, Ritchson playedRaphaelin the 2014Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesreboot and its2016 sequel,along with appearances inThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire(2013),Lazer Team(2015), andFast X(2023). He made his directorial debut and co-starred in the action-comedyDark Web: Cicada 3301(2021).

Early life and education

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Ritchson was born on November 28, 1982,[5]inGrand Forks, North Dakota.He is the son of Vickie Ritchson, a high school teacher, and David Ritchson, a retiredU.S. Air Forcechief master sergeant.[6]He is the second of three sons. During his childhood, his family moved toRantoul, Illinois.At age 10, Ritchson's family settled inNiceville, Florida.[7]He attendedNiceville High Schooland graduated in 2001.[8]

He was granted a full music scholarship for singing, and started to attend college but dropped out "because [he] didn't feel fulfilled". He then went to Los Angeles, where he worked as a model for a few years.[9]

From 1999 to 2003, he attended Okaloosa Walton Community College, nowNorthwest Florida State College,as a dual-enrollment student and then graduated with anAssociate of Artsdegree.[10]He was a member of the Fine Arts Division's Soundsations and Madrigal Singers.[11][12][13]

Career

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Modeling

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He began his modeling career in theAbercrombie & Fitchcatalogue.[14]

Television

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Ritchson (left) withAlex O'Loughlinin the television seriesHawaii Five-0in 2013

Ritchson first gained celebrity status in 2004 when he appeared onAmerican Idolas one of the top 87 contestants in thethird seasonbefore being cut inHollywood.His appearance on the show was noted for his striptease in one episode in which he charmed judgePaula Abdulduring his audition.[15]

His television acting credits include a recurring guest star role on the television seriesSmallvilleas Arthur Curry, a.k.a.Aquaman,[16]a small role as an army officer in the 2006Hallmark ChannelmovieThough None Go with MealongsideCheryl Ladd,and the role of Lucian Manet in the 2009Lifetimeoriginal filmNora Roberts' Midnight Bayou.His role in Smallville marked the first time that an actor portrayed Aquaman in an officially licensed live-action production.[16][17]HisSmallvilleco-star,Justin Hartley,has since portrayed Aquaman in anunaired pilot of the same name.Ritchson reprised his role as Aquaman in the final season.[18]In 2009, he appeared on a third-season episode ofStarz'sHead Casein which he played a stripper. Ritchson also made an appearance onCSI: Miami,in which he played a dead victim in episode 19 of season 8. In 2011, he appeared in an episode of season 3 of90210as a love interest for main characterTeddy Montgomery(Trevor Donovan).[19]

In 2010 he started playing the main role of Thad Castle, the captain of a college football team, inSpike TV'sBlue Mountain State.[20]He stayed on the show until it was cancelled after its third season in February 2012.[21]He also appeared in a number of television shows, includingHawaii Five-0.In 2015, Ritchson became a regular on theNBCvariety showI Can Do That(based on theIsraelivariety show) alongsideNicole Scherzinger,Ciara,Joe Jonas,Cheryl BurkeandJeff Dye,and hosted byMarlon Wayans.[22][23][24]In 2016, he appeared in "Nosedive",an episode of theanthology seriesBlack Mirror.

In 2017 he played the main character in theSyfyseriesBlood Drive.[25]In 2018, Ritchson played the recurring role ofHank Hall / Hawkin theDC UniverseseriesTitans.[26]His initial deal was for just two episodes but he was promoted to a series regular for thesecond season.Producers decided to reduce the number of characters and Ritchson was written out of the series.[27]

In 2020 Ritchson was announced to be portrayingJack Reacherin aneponymous seriesonAmazon Prime.[28]

Films

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Alan Ritchson at theLazer Teampremiere with the cast and director in 2015

Movie credits include a role in the 2006 filmThe Butcher,as well as a minor role in 2009'sFired Up!In 2007, directorRobert Zemeckisused Ritchson for his facial image, physique and movement for actorRay Winstoneof thetitle characterofBeowulf.[7]

Ritchson portrayed Gloss, a tribute in the 75th Hunger Games, inThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire(2013). Ritchson also portrayedRaphaelinTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,a reboot tothe Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film seriesafter the four previous films.[29][30]Ritchson would later criticize producers of the newTMNTlive-action films, claiming they mistreated him and other actors portraying the turtles during and after filming.[31]

He returned to his role as Thad Castle in theBlue Mountain Statemovie,Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland.Ritchson co-starred inRooster Teeth Production'sfirst feature-length movie—the science fiction comedyLazer Teamin January 2016.[32]He also played a medium role inThe Wedding Ringer.

In 2018 Ritchson was announced as the director, co-writer, and producer ofDark Web: Cicada 3301,a comedy-thriller film inspired by theeponymous organization.[33]He also co-starred as anNSAagent.[34]The film is the first original project of Phreaker Films, a film fund run by Ritchson.[33]The rights forDark Web: Cicada 3301were acquired byLionsgatein 2020,[34]who released the film digitally on March 12, 2021.[35][36]In 2022, Ritchson joined the cast ofFast X.[37]

In 2024, Ritchson appeared inJon Gunn's drama movieOrdinary Angels,written byMeg TillyandKelly Fremon Craig,[38]and inGuy Ritchie'saction comedy filmThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.[39]

Other work

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Other projects include an independent album calledThis Is Next Time,released in late 2005, and appearing in a Russian commercial forOrbit gum.[citation needed]

Ritchson also appears in aweb seriestitledEnormous Friendswith hisBlue Mountain Stateco-star,Rob Ramsay.[40]

He supports the development of Christian films in Hollywood.[41]

Personal life

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Ritchson met his wife, Catherine, in high school with the couple marrying in 2006.[42]Ritchson lived for years in Florida with his wife and their three sons. In 2023 the couple decided to sell their home and live on the road, to allow Ritchson to spend more time with his family. The family stays in Airbnbs and hotels; his wife, a financial analyst, homeschools their sons.[43]

Ritchson has been diagnosed withbipolar disorder,and has spoken openly about his struggles with the condition.[44]

Ritchson is a professing Christian, and frequently discusses the significance of his Christian faith.[44]He started theYouTubechannel InstaChurch, in January 2022, where he discusses his Christian convictions.[45]

On April 3, 2024,The Hollywood Reporterpublished an interview of Ritchson in which he says that he had once been sexually harassed by a "very famous photographer" and for this reason he left his modeling career.[46]

Filmography

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Film

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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
Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland Thad Castle Also producer and writer
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows Raphael
2018 Office Uprising Bob
2019 Above the Shadows Shayne
The Turkey Bowl Ronnie Best Also executive producer
2020 Ghosts of War Butchie
2021 Dark Web: Cicada 3301 Agent Carver Directorial debut and producer, writer
2023 Fast X Agent Aimes
2024 Ordinary Angels Ed Schmitt
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare Anders Lassen
TBA Playdate Jeff Post-production
Motor City Post-production
War Machine Post-production
The Man with the Bag Vince Filming; also producer[47]

Television

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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"
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"
New Girl Matt Episode: "Micro"
Infomercials Kent Ross Episode: "Alpha Chow"
2015 I Can Do That Himself Contestant
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 (seasons 2–3)
2018 Alexa & Katie Robbie Episode: "Thanksgiving"
2019 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Young Norm Scully Episode: "Hitchcock & Scully"[48]
Supergirl Hank Hall / Hawk Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One"
2020 Legends of Tomorrow Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part 5"
2022–present Reacher Jack Reacher Main role

Video games

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Discography

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Albums

  • This Is Next Time(2006)

Notes

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  1. ^abThough some sources state he was born in 1984,[1][2]this might be due to the fact that Ritchson's age was given as 20 when he auditioned forAmerican Idol'sthird seasonin early 2004.[3]But the show was filmed several months prior, with auditions being held in August and September 2003. Ritchson states he was 39 years old in a February 2022 interview withMichael Rosenbaum,[4]he graduated in 2001, and several sources confirm the November 28, 1982, birth date.[5]

References

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  1. ^"Ritchson, Alan, 1984-".Library of Congress.RetrievedNovember 23,2023.
  2. ^"Alan Ritchson".All Movie.RetrievedNovember 23,2023.Born - Nov 28, 1984
  3. ^iHollywoodTV (August 16, 2023)."'Reacher' Star Alan Ritchson Auditioned For American Idol ".Event occurs at 2:28.Archivedfrom the original on November 23, 2023 – via YouTube.
  4. ^Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum (February 8, 2022)."Reacher's ALAN RITCHSON: Finding Your Identity".Event occurs at 5:50 – via YouTube.I'm 39 now.
  5. ^ab"UPI Almanac for Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021".UPI.November 28, 2021.RetrievedNovember 23,2023.actor Alan Ritchson in 1982 (age 39)
  6. ^Ricketts, Dusty (April 14, 2013)."Niceville's Alan Ritchson to appear on 'Hawaii Five-0'".Northwest Florida Daily News.Archived fromthe originalon November 27, 2013.RetrievedNovember 24,2013.
  7. ^ab"Rising Star Alan Ritchson: From Abercrombie to Aquaman".Netscape Celebrity.Archived fromthe originalon July 16, 2011.RetrievedMarch 6,2012.
  8. ^"Alan Ritchson News & Biography - Empire".Empire.RetrievedApril 2,2024.
  9. ^Liem, Ronald (December 1, 2013)."Exclusive Cover Story: Alan Ritchson".Da Man.Archivedfrom the original on September 21, 2014.RetrievedOctober 14,2014.
  10. ^Niceville (May 15, 2014)."Actor Alan Ritchson, college alum, visits NWFSC in Niceville".Niceville.com.RetrievedApril 2,2024.
  11. ^"Working ShowBiz - Featuring Alan Ritchson".Emerald Coast TV.May 13, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon July 10, 2015.RetrievedMay 14,2014.
  12. ^Delgado, Lauren (May 14, 2014)."'Hunger Games' actor tells NWFSC students: 'We are our own personal marketing force'".Northwest Florida Daily News.Archived fromthe originalon May 17, 2014.RetrievedMay 15,2014.
  13. ^"Actor Alan Ritchson, College Alum, Visits Campus".Mattie Kelly Arts Center.May 15, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon November 20, 2014.RetrievedNovember 13,2014.
  14. ^Cooke, Bruno (February 6, 2022)."Alan Ritchson's first modelling gig was in the Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue".The Focus.Archivedfrom the original on February 22, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 22,2022.
  15. ^Oldenburg, Ann (August 9, 2012)."'Hunger Games' casts hunky Alan Ritchson for Gloss role ".USA Today.Archivedfrom the original on March 10, 2015.RetrievedApril 6,2014.
  16. ^abByrne, Craig (October 20, 2005)."American Tidal: KryptonSite Speaks With Alan Ritchson (Aquaman)".KryptonSite.Archivedfrom the original on February 22, 2014.RetrievedMarch 6,2012.
  17. ^"Aquaman (TV 1984)".IMDb.May 1, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on June 6, 2012.RetrievedMarch 6,2012.
  18. ^Abrams, Natalie (September 7, 2010)."Aquaman Returns to Smallville".TVGuide.com.Archived fromthe originalon July 31, 2012.RetrievedMarch 6,2012.
  19. ^Mitovich, Matt Webb (January 13, 2011)."90210Exclusive: Teddy Hooks Up With Aquaman! ".TVLine.PMC.Archived fromthe originalon September 3, 2013.RetrievedOctober 27,2014.
  20. ^"Sam Jones and Alan Ritchson will be on Spike this summer in new college football comedy".OSCK.June 12, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on September 27, 2013.RetrievedMarch 6,2012.
  21. ^Vlessing, Etan (February 21, 2012)."Lionsgate's 'Blue Mountain State' Cancelled by Spike".Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on May 7, 2021.RetrievedMarch 6,2012.
  22. ^Rice, Lynette (March 3, 2015)."Ciara, Nicole Scherzinger, Joe Jonas, Cheryl Burke Join NBC Variety Show".People.Archivedfrom the original on May 28, 2015.RetrievedMay 28,2015.
  23. ^Roxborough, Scott (May 26, 2015)."Armoza Betting on Game Show/Variety Revival With NBC's 'I Can Do That!'".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on February 16, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 19,2020.
  24. ^Steinberg, Jessica (April 8, 2015)."NBC to air 'I Can Do That' in late May".The Times of Israel.Archivedfrom the original on May 30, 2015.RetrievedMay 28,2015.
  25. ^Sokol, Tony (June 12, 2017)."Syfy's Blood Drive: Star Alan Ritchson On Stunt Driving and Outlandish Grindhouse".Den of Geek!.Archivedfrom the original on July 30, 2019.RetrievedJuly 30,2019.
  26. ^Drum, Nicole (October 8, 2018)."'Titans' Alan Ritchson Says It Takes Eight People to Get Him in Hawk Costume ".Comicbook.Archivedfrom the original on July 30, 2019.RetrievedJuly 30,2019.
  27. ^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.Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 24,2021.
  28. ^Andreeva, Nellie (September 4, 2020)."'Jack Reacher': Alan Ritchson Cast As Title Character In Amazon TV Series ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on September 4, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 4,2020.
  29. ^Fernández, Alexia (November 18, 2019)."Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Actor Says Making Reboots Was 'the Worst Production Experience'".People.Archivedfrom the original on November 19, 2019.RetrievedNovember 19,2019.
  30. ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 22, 2013)."'Hunger Games 2's Alan Ritchson To Play Raphael In 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on July 1, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 19,2020.
  31. ^Collider Podcasts (November 14, 2019)."Why Alan Ritchson HATED Filming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2021.RetrievedNovember 1,2020.
  32. ^Doty, Meriah (March 16, 2015)."Crowd-Funded 'Lazer Team' May Sneak Up and Zap You (Exclusive Trailer)".Yahoo!Movies.Archivedfrom the original on March 5, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 27,2016.
  33. ^abHipes, Patrick (March 6, 2018)."Phreaker Films Launches With Silicon Valley VC Cash; Alan Ritchson To Run It".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on February 11, 2021.RetrievedOctober 14,2019.
  34. ^abRamos, Dino-Ray (September 10, 2020)."Grindstone Acquires Alan Ritchson's Comedy-Thriller 'Cicada 3301'".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on October 29, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 10,2020.
  35. ^Adams, Tim (January 13, 2021)."Dark Web: Cicada 3301 Red-Band Trailer Recruits Titans Stars (Exclusive)".Comic Book Resources.Archivedfrom the original on January 21, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 28,2021.
  36. ^Price, Jason (January 14, 2021)."'Dark Web: Cicada 3301' - Cyber-Thriller Starring Alan Ritchson Hits Digital and On Demand March 12! ".Icon Vs. Icon.Archivedfrom the original on January 28, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 28,2021.
  37. ^Kroll, Justin (May 13, 2022)."'Fast X': 'Jack Reacher' Star Alan Ritchson Joins Next Installment In 'Fast & Furious' Franchise ".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on May 13, 2022.RetrievedMay 20,2023.
  38. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 21, 2024)."'Bob Marley: One Love' To Stay High As A Kite At Box Office Until 'Dune' Gang Arrives – Preview ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedFebruary 13,2025.
  39. ^Wiseman, Andreas (October 28, 2022)."Henry Cavill & Eiza González To Lead Guy Ritchie WWII Action Spy Pic 'The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare' For Jerry Bruckheimer & Black Bear International — AFM Hot Pic".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on February 14, 2023.RetrievedOctober 29,2022.
  40. ^Alan and Rob."Enormous Friends".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on August 27, 2014.RetrievedMarch 23,2015.
  41. ^"'Reacher' Actor Alan Ritchson Wants the 'Name of Christ in Movie Theaters'".ChristianHeadlines.com.Archivedfrom the original on November 6, 2023.RetrievedNovember 6,2023.
  42. ^Kershaw, Emma (February 25, 2024)."Who Is Alan Ritchson's Wife? All About Catherine Ritchson".People.com.RetrievedNovember 30,2024.
  43. ^Myers, Marc (December 26, 2023)."Getting Cut From 'American Idol' Was the Best Thing to Happen to Alan Ritchson's Acting Career".Wall Street Journal.RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
  44. ^abInside of You with Michael RosenbaumonYouTube
  45. ^Warren, Steve (April 18, 2023)."'Reacher', 'Hunger Games' Actor Alan Ritchson Stands for Movies That Honor 'the Name of Christ'".RetrievedJanuary 10,2024.
  46. ^Gardner, Chris (April 3, 2024)."The High Highs and Low Lows of Alan Ritchson".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedApril 4,2024.
  47. ^McPherson, Chris (December 17, 2024)."'Reacher's Alan Ritchson Meets Arnold Schwarzenegger's Santa Claus in 'The Man with the Bag' Set Image ".Collider.RetrievedDecember 17,2024.
  48. ^Arens, Brynna (March 6, 2024)."Alan Ritchson's Weirdest Pre-Reacher Roles".Den of Geek.RetrievedApril 21,2024.
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