Robert Ryan - Definition and Overview

Robert Ryan (November 11, 1909 - July 11, 1973) was an American actor born in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1932, where he was also the school boxing champion. After graduation, not finding work to his liking, Ryan worked as a stoker on a ship, a laborer, and a ranch hand in Montana.

He attempted to make a career in show business as a playwrite, but had to turn to acting to support himself. He studied acting in Hollywood and appeared on stage in small film parts during the 1940s. During World War II he served in the Marine Corps.

While he had made films starting in 1940, his productive career commenced after his discharge from the military. He also became involved in many liberal causes, remaining active even while others feared to speak out.

He died of lung cancer in New York City.

Selected Films of Robert Ryan

• Golden Gloves (1940)
• Bombardier (1943)
• Woman on the Beach (1947)
• Crossfire (1947)
• The Boy with the Green Hair (1948)
• Act of Violence (1948)
• Caught (1949)
• The Set-Up (1949)
• The Racket (1951)
• Flying Leathernecks (1951)
• On Dangerous Ground (1951)
• Clash by Night (1952)
• Beware My Lovely (1952)
• The Naked Spur (1953)
• Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
• House of Bamboo (1955)
• The Proud Ones (1956)
• Men in War (1957)
• God's Little Acre (1958)
• Odds Against Tomorrow (1959)
• King of Kings (1961)
• The Longest Day (1962)
• Billy Budd (1962)
• Battle of the Bulge (1965)
• The Professionals (1966)
• The Dirty Dozen (1967)
• Hour of the Gun (1967)
• The Wild Bunch (1969)
• Lawman (1971)
• The Iceman Cometh (1973)
• Executive Action (1973)
• The Lolly Madonna War (1973)