John P. Ryan
John Patrick Ryan was an American actor. A prolific character actor known for playing "slimy villains, tough cops, and military officers," he worked with notable directors like Bob Rafelson, Francis Ford Coppola, Andrei Konchalovsky, Arthur Penn, Philip Kaufman, and The Wachowskis, and often appeared in films starring his friend Jack Nicholson.
Early life and education
Ryan was born in New York City, the son of Irish immigrant parents, and graduated from Rice High School in Harlem. He studied English at the City College of New York and acting at the Actors Studio.Career
Among his stage roles, Ryan played King Henry in The Lion in Winter and Mr. DePinna in You [Can't Take It with You (play)|You Can't Take It with You] at the 1966 Williamstown Theatre Festival. He starred in the Broadway productions Daphne in Cottage D and Medea.Ryan got into film acting at the encouragement of his friend Jack Nicholson. He appeared opposite Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces, The King of Marvin Gardens, The Missouri Breaks, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and Hoffa.
He usually played supporting roles or character parts, though he played a rare leading role in the Larry Cohen-directed horror film It's Alive and its sequel It Lives Again. He also appeared in such films as Dillinger, Futureworld, Breathless, The [Right Stuff (film)|The Right Stuff], The Cotton Club, Three O'Clock High, and Best of [the Best (1989 film)|Best of the Best]. One of his best-known parts was as prison warden Ranken in Runaway Train. His last role was as mobster Mickey Malnato in The Wachowskis' directorial debut Bound.