New Zealand actor Jay Ryan first appeared in an episode of Young Hercules in 1998. He next guest-starred in Xena: Warrior Princess the following year. In the 2000s, he got his first starring role on TV as Sam Hooper in the New Zealand series Being Eve. He later starred as Jack Scully in the Australian soap opera Neighbours, which he played from 2002 to 2005. During this period, he also had roles in the TV movies Superfire and You Wish!
Following this, Ryan starred as Seaman Billy “Spider” Webb in the TV drama Sea Patrol. Afterward, he starred as Kevin in the New Zealand series Go Girls. At the beginning of the 2010s, he guest-starred in an episode of Legend of the Seeker. He next played Fraser King in six episodes of the comedy-drama Offspring. That same time, he had a recurring role in the US show Terra Nova. He also made his cinematic debut in the 2010 film Lou.
Ryan got his breakthrough as Vincent Keller in the CBS series Beauty & the Beast, which he starred in from 2012 to 2016. In 2013, he also played Mark Mitcham in the miniseries Top of the Lake. After Beauty & the Beast, he joined the main cast of the Canadian drama Mary Kills People as Detective Ben Wesley. Later in 2018, he starred as Sgt Sean Collins in the Aussie series Fighting Season. The actor recently played Ben Hanscom in the Hollywood supernatural horror film It Chapter Two.
The actor has an active lifestyle. He’s always on the go, plays sports, and engages in other outdoor activities. Apart from these, he also works out regularly to maintain his form and improve his strength. Getting the co-lead part in Beauty & the Beast also prompted the New Zealander to increase his physical training. While on the show, he’d work out every morning as part of his routine. His fitness regimen combined circuit training, weights, and cardio.