Ryan was born in Anaconda Montana to Rev. Joseph and Paula Dillon. In 1984 the Dillon family relocated to Auburn, Washington. At the age of ten Ryan started a small modeling career for Nordstrom and other local retailers. Later, Ryan started acting in his father's church performing in various plays including "Godspell" and "He lived the Good Life".
After graduating from Auburn Senior High School, Ryan moved to Southern California and enrolled at Marymount College in Palos Verdes. He signed with a talent agent within two months and started working in music videos and TV commercials. Having come close to booking some major leading roles in
Varsity Blues (1999),
Coach Carter (2005) and
Spartacus (2010), he took a break from Los Angeles and moved to Phoenix, AZ where he was signed by a local Modeling Agency and booked campaigns modeling for Dillard's, Neiman Marcus, Sacks 5th Ave and walking for Giorgio Armani.
Being called back to Los Angeles, Ryan acted in independent films such as the award-winning feature
Mercy (2003) written and directed by his close friend
John Fitzpatrick. He also landed a role in the AFI, Gotham, and Spirit Award-winning feature
Littlerock (2010). In 2014 he served as producer and actor in John Fitzpatrick's acclaimed horror short
Skypemare (2013) which starred longtime friend
Cerina Vincent.
Ryan continues to work with his 'Skypemare' creative team producing and featuring in both
Brentwood Strangler (2015) and the monthly thriller series
Scary Endings (2015).
An avid supporter of Animal Rights, he resides in Los Angeles and volunteers with animal nonprofits.