While he may play tough guys on screen, Australian actor Jake Ryan is more of a softie at heart.
Family man and self-confessed homebody, he’s found that Byron Bay offers the perfect balance
between career and family life—it’s something he doesn’t take for granted.
WRIT TEN BY DONNA RISHTON-POT TER
“I GET TO WORK IN AN INDUSTRY I LOVE, BE PRESENT FOR MY KIDS,
AND BE SURROUNDED BY NATURE. IT’S THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS,”
After years in the hustle and bustle of Sydney, Ryan and his
partner, DJ Alice Quiddington, made the move north two years
ago with their two young children. “The region was always a
special place for us to holiday, and after one particular trip,
we thought, ‘Why aren’t we living here?’” Longtime friend,
collaborator and Northern Rivers local, Blake Northfield. Having
worked on seven films together, he knew firsthand that Byron
wasn’t just a great base for their careers but an incredible place to
raise a family.”
It may be idyllic, but it’s not the life he originally imagined for
himself. As a teenager, Ryan had no interest in drama, “You would
have had to pay me to attend drama class back then,” he laughs.
Instead, his passion was martial arts. A Taekwondo prodigy,
he earned a black belt at just nine years old, the youngest
in the country at the time. He went on to become a ten-time
Australian champion, a key member of the national team, and
was ranked fourth in the world on three occasions. His dream
was to represent Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but a
devastating knee injury derailed those plans. Looking back, he
calls it a blessing in disguise.
“In the moment, it was heartbreaking,” he reflects. “But that injury
pushed me onto a path I might never have taken otherwise.”
That path began in an unlikely place—working in his father’s
pub in Richmond, Victoria, where the late legendary Australian
actor Bill Hunter was a regular. Hunter’s passion for the craft was
contagious. Their conversations piquing Ryan’s curiosity and
planting the seed for what would come next.
As fortune would have it, a chance encounter with another film
industry professional at a wedding led to an audition for a role in
Cate Shortland’s film Somersault. While he didn’t land the role, the
experience sparked a newfound passion for acting. Determined
to pursue it, he enrolled at the Actors Centre Australia in Sydney.
Small roles in television and film followed, with appearances in
The Sapphires, Underbelly, Wentworth, and The Great Gatsby.
His breakthrough came when he secured the long-running role of
Robbo on Home and Away.
While the stability of the soap allowed him to refine his craft and
gain widespread recognition, he sought to challenge himself. “I
took time off Home and Away to do Savage in New Zealand, and
that was a turning point,” he says. The critically acclaimed film,
directed by Sam Kelly, showcased his ability to take on complex,
gritty roles, cementing his reputation as a versatile performer. “I
was so proud of that project.”
Since then, Ryan’s extensive TV credits include NCIS: Sydney,
Last King of the Cross, Ten Pound Poms, Wolf Like Me, Nine
Perfect Strangers, Wolf Creek, Wentworth, The Leftovers,
Underbelly: Razor, and Fat Tony & Co. He recently wrapped
filming on Patrick Hughes’s War Machine for Netflix alongside
Allan Ritchson, Dennis Quaid, and Jai Courtney. He also stars in
Netflix’s worldwide hit series Territory and has several films set for
release this year, including Homeward and Primitive War.
Ryan’s love for action roles stems from his martial arts
background. He thrives on the choreography and physicality,
bringing authenticity to fight scenes. “It’s like a dance, but with
more bruises,” he jokes. Though years of action-packed roles
have taken their toll. “I’ve popped ribs, torn my bicep—it’s not as
easy as it used to be,” he laughs. “But I still love a good bit of biffo
on screen.”
Despite his success, Ryan remains grounded, always appreciative
of the opportunities that come his way. “It’s a tough industry. You
need a bit of luck and the right connections,” he says. “You just
have to be grateful for every gig.”
Looking ahead, Ryan is also expanding his role behind the
camera, venturing in producing roles. “I co-produced Kain
and Homeward,” he says. “It’s a whole new challenge, but I’m
really enjoying it.”
With the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast booming as film
hubs, Ryan is in an enviable position. “The landscape offers
everything—rainforests, beaches, cityscapes, even desert-like
settings. It’s no surprise big studios are setting up here. And with
self-taped auditions, you don’t have to be in LA anymore—you
can be anywhere.”
Amidst his career’s demands, Ryan loves the slower pace of life in
Byron, where his children can grow up playing in the streets with
their friends. “These days, when I’m not working, I’m happy to be
pottering around at home.”
“I don’t take it for granted,” he says. “Friends nearby, the kids
playing together, and the chance to work on great projects right
here in Australia—it doesn’t get much better than that.”
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