Ryan was born on April 19, 1983 in New York. His mother, casting agent Mary Jo Slater, got him parts in several commercials and TV appearances in daytime soaps, along with his half-brother Christian Slater. In 1987, his brother Christian's fame was rising, so the family moved to Los Angeles. Ryan starred in many movies during the 1990s but has since quit acting to focus on his studies. He has been attending university in San Francisco since 2004 and has spent a lot of time in Japan, he has no plans to return to movies nor acting in general.
Both Ryan and his half-brother Christian have their mother's surname, rather than that of their father. Born in New York but moved to Los Angeles at age 4. Half-brother of actor Christian Slater. Mother is casting agent Mary Jo Slater.