Alan Ritchson

Who is Alan Ritchson?

Alan Michael Ritchson is an American actor, model, producer, and director. 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 had a starring role in 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) and returned to superhero television as Hank Hall / Hawk on the DC Universe / HBO Max series Titans from 2018 to 2021. He gained wider recognition for portraying the title character in the Amazon Prime Video action thriller series Reacher since 2022.

Outside television, Ritchson played Raphael in the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot and its 2016 sequel, along with appearances in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) and Fast X (2023). He made his directorial debut and co-starred in the action-comedy Dark Web: Cicada 3301 (2021).

Quick Details

Early Life and Education

Alan Michael 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. He is the second of three sons. During his childhood, his family moved to Rantoul, Illinois. At age 10, Ritchson’s family settled in Niceville, Florida. He attended Niceville High School and graduated in 2001.

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.

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.

Career

Modeling

He began his modeling career in the Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue.

Television

Alan Ritchson rose to prominence in 2004 after appearing on American Idol’s third season, showcasing his talents as one of the top 87 contestants. Although he was eventually cut from the show, his memorable striptease performance aimed at wooing judge Paula Abdul garnered attention.

His television career includes notable roles such as Arthur Curry, also known as Aquaman, in the series Smallville. Ritchson’s portrayal marked the first time Aquaman appeared in an officially licensed live-action production. He reprised this role in the show’s final season. Additionally, he played Thad Castle, the captain of a college football team, in Spike TV’s Blue Mountain State from 2010 to 2012.

Ritchson has made appearances in various television shows, including CSI: Miami and Hawaii Five-0, showcasing his versatility as an actor. He also became a regular on the NBC variety show I Can Do That in 2015. In 2016, he appeared in an episode of the anthology series Black Mirror.

In 2017, Ritchson took on the main role in the Syfy series Blood Drive, followed by a recurring role as Hank Hall / Hawk in the DC Universe series Titans in 2018. Although initially signed for only two episodes, he was promoted to a series regular for the second season. However, he was ultimately written out of the series due to producer decisions to reduce the number of characters.

In 2020, Ritchson was portrayed as Jack Reacher in a Reacher series on Amazon Prime, announced in 2020. His diverse roles across television platforms highlight his versatility and growing presence in the entertainment industry.

Film

Alan Ritchson’s film credits encompass a diverse range of roles. He appeared in the 2006 film The Butcher and had a minor role in 2009’s Fired Up!. Notably, director Robert Zemeckis utilized Ritchson’s facial image, physique, and movement for actor Ray Winstone’s character in Beowulf.

In 2013, Ritchson portrayed Gloss, a tribute in the 75th Hunger Games, in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. He also took on the role of Raphael in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot, with later criticisms towards producers regarding the mistreatment of actors during and after filming. Ritchson reprised his role as Thad Castle in the Blue Mountain State movie, Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland. Additionally, he starred in Rooster Teeth Production’s Lazer Team in 2016 and played a significant role in The Wedding Ringer.

In 2018, Ritchson expanded his involvement in the film industry by directing, co-writing, and producing Dark Web: Cicada 3301, a comedy-thriller film. Lionsgate acquired the rights for the film, which was digitally released in 2021. In 2022, Ritchson joined the cast of Fast X. Looking ahead, Ritchson is set to appear in Jon Gunn’s drama movie Ordinary Angels, showcasing his continued versatility and contribution to the cinematic landscape.

Personal Life

Alan Ritchson lived for years in his native Florida with his wife Catherine and their three sons. In 2023 the couple decided to sell their home and live on the road, to allow Ritchson to spend the utmost time with and be a caretaker for his family, even while he is filming. The family stays in Airbnbs and hotels; his wife, a financial analyst, homeschools their sons.

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Ritchson has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has spoken openly about his struggles with the condition.

Ritchson is a professing Christian and frequently discusses the significance of his Christian faith. He started the YouTube channel InstaChurch, in January 2022, where he discusses his Christian convictions.

On April 3, 2024, The Hollywood Reporter published an interview of Ritchson in which he says that he had once been sexually harassed by a “very famous photographer”.

Filmography

Alan Ritchson Movies

Alan Ritchson TV Series

Alan Ritchson Video Games

• Beowulf: The Game (2007), as Beowulf (character model)

Discography

• Albums
  • This Is Next Time (2006)

Photo Gallery