# Jay Ryan (actor)
**Jay Ryan** (born Jay Bunyan) is a New Zealand actor known for his television roles as Jack Scully on the Australian soap opera *Neighbours*, Vincent Keller on [The CW](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-cw)'s *Beauty and the Beast*, and his film role as the adult Ben Hanscom in *It Chapter Two* (2019). He was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1981, and began his career under his birth name before adopting the stage name Jay Ryan.[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/jay-ryan/) • [2](https://www.nndb.com/people/839/000400636/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth name and place | Jay Bunyan, born 1981 in Auckland, New Zealand[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/jay-ryan/) |
| Breakthrough role | Jack Scully on *Neighbours* (Network Ten), 2002 to 2005[2](https://www.nndb.com/people/839/000400636/) |
| Other signature TV roles | Seaman Billy "Spider" Webb on *Sea Patrol* (2007 to 2009); Kevin and narrator on *Go Girls* (2009 to 2012)[3](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=15422) • [4](https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/jay-ryan/) |
| US lead role | Vincent Keller on The CW's *Beauty and the Beast*, 2012 to 2016[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/jay-ryan/) |
| Feature film | Adult Ben Hanscom in *It Chapter Two* (2019)[5](https://www.thewrap.com/jay-ryan-it-chapter-two/) |
| Awards | Logie nomination (2003); Equity Award winner (2014); Silver Logie nomination (2024); Canadian Screen Award winner (2026)[6](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jay-ryan/bio/3000116916/) |
| Family | Daughter Eve, born 2013, with Dianna Fuemana[2](https://www.nndb.com/people/839/000400636/) |
## Early life and name
Ryan was born Jay Bunyan in Auckland in 1981. His parents encouraged him to try theater at a young age as a way of channeling his energy as a hyperactive child, and he gained early performance experience working as a clown who entertained children at parties and, according to his IMDb biography, on weekends at a local supermarket.[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/jay-ryan/) • [7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1216008/) He began acting seriously at around age eight, appeared in school productions and musical theater, and started working professionally in theater at 16.[8](https://www.perfectblend.net/neighbourhood/pro/bunyan-jay.htm)
His first television appearances came on the New Zealand-shot fantasy series *Xena: Warrior Princess* and *[Young Hercules](https://www.edgepedia.org/young-hercules)*, followed by the New Zealand teen dramedy *Being Eve* (TV3, 2001 to 2002), which aired in the United States on [Nickelodeon](https://www.edgepedia.org/nickelodeon), and the ABC television movie *Superfire* (2002).[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/jay-ryan/)
He worked under his birth name, Jay Bunyan, in his early career. Following the advice of Los Angeles casting directors, he changed his professional surname to Ryan, a name from his mother's family; he was billed as Jay Ryan on the Australian series *Sea Patrol*.[8](https://www.perfectblend.net/neighbourhood/pro/bunyan-jay.htm) • [9](https://tv.apple.com/us/person/jay-ryan/umc.cpc.17fs4g9g8v9bc0ktvjau4xrz4) • [10](https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/jay-ryan.html)
## Australian and New Zealand television
Ryan's career took shape in Australia. He joined the long-running soap opera *Neighbours* as Jack Scully, playing the role from 2002 to 2005, and received a Logie Award nomination in 2003 in the Most Popular New Male Talent category for the part.[2](https://www.nndb.com/people/839/000400636/) • [6](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jay-ryan/bio/3000116916/) Accounts of this move differ: his IMDb biography states that he moved to Australia at 19 to take the *Neighbours* role,[7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1216008/) while [TV Guide](https://www.edgepedia.org/tv-guide) states he moved to Los Angeles at 19 to pursue acting full time before returning to play the role.[6](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jay-ryan/bio/3000116916/)
After *Neighbours*, he played Seaman Billy "Spider" Webb on the [Nine Network](https://www.edgepedia.org/nine-network) naval drama *Sea Patrol* from 2007 to 2009.[3](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=15422) He then starred in the New Zealand comedy-drama *Go Girls* (TVNZ) as Kevin, a mechanic who also served as the series' narrator, from 2009 to 2012.[4](https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/jay-ryan/) In this period he also appeared in the Australian series *[Offspring](https://www.edgepedia.org/offspring-tv-series)* as Dr. Fraser King in its second season (2011) and in the [Steven Spielberg](https://www.edgepedia.org/steven-spielberg)-executive-produced Fox series *Terra Nova* (2011) as Curran.[11](https://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne-555613/filmographie/)
## Beauty and the Beast and United States work
In 2012 Ryan worked with Academy Award-winning director [Jane Campion](https://www.edgepedia.org/jane-campion) on the BBC mini-series *Top of the Lake*, playing Mark, and won the "Best Actor" honor in New Zealand's "Best On The Box" awards.[7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1216008/) That same year he was cast in his first American lead role as Vincent Keller on The CW's *Beauty and the Beast* (2012 to 2016), opposite [Kristin Kreuk](https://www.edgepedia.org/kristin-kreuk). His character was a doctor and former military experiment subject whose "beast" alter ego emerged from a supersoldier program; Ryan described a four-hour makeup process for the beast transformation.[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/jay-ryan/) • [12](https://www.assignmentx.com/2013/exclusive-interview-beauty-and-the-beast-stars-kristin-kreuk-and-jay-ryan/) According to TV Insider, an audition tape from an unsuccessful test for the feature comedy *Something Borrowed* (2011) circulated and helped him land the part.[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/jay-ryan/)
He followed the series with three seasons of the Canadian euthanasia drama *Mary Kills People* (2017 to 2019) as Ben Wesley, appearing in 18 episodes.[7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1216008/) • [4](https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/jay-ryan/)
## Film work
Ryan's most prominent film role came as the adult Ben Hanscom in *It Chapter Two* (2019), [Andy Muschietti](https://www.edgepedia.org/andy-muschietti)'s sequel to the 2017 adaptation of [Stephen King](https://www.edgepedia.org/stephen-king)'s *It*, joining an ensemble that included [James McAvoy](https://www.edgepedia.org/james-mcavoy), Jessica Chastain, and Bill Hader; the younger version of the character had been played by Jeremy Ray Taylor.[5](https://www.thewrap.com/jay-ryan-it-chapter-two/) His other film credits include Belinda Chayko's *Lou* (2010) with John Hurt, *The Furnace* (2020) as Sergeant Shaw, and *Muru* (2022) as Gallagher.[7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1216008/) • [4](https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/jay-ryan/)
He has continued to work across Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian productions: *Creamerie* (2021 to 2023) as Bobby, *Scrublands* (2023) as Byron Swift, *Territory* (2024) as Campbell Miller, *North of North* (2025) as Alistair, and *The Ridge* (2025) as Ewan Carmichael.[7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1216008/)
## Theater
Ryan has maintained a stage career alongside his screen work. He toured internationally with [John Cleese](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-cleese)'s comedy show *Seven Ways to Skin an Ocelot* and starred in *The Packer*, a one-man show written and directed by [Dianna Fuemana](https://www.edgepedia.org/dianna-fuemana) that premiered in Sydney, played the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and toured New Zealand, Australia, and Los Angeles; it was nominated for Best International Contribution to Los Angeles Theatre at the 2011 Hollywood Fringe Festival.[13](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/29009/jay-ryan) • [7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1216008/) He also appeared at the [University of Auckland](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-of-auckland)'s Maidment Theatre and in an Auckland Theatre Company staging of *A Streetcar Named Desire* directed by Simon Prast.[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/jay-ryan/)
## Recognition
Ryan's awards record spans two decades: a 2003 Logie nomination for *Neighbours*; a 2014 Equity Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Mini-series or Telemovie; ensemble cast wins at the 2019 Fright Meter Awards and BAM Awards for *It Chapter Two*; a 2024 Silver Logie nomination for Best Supporting Actor; and a 2026 Canadian Screen Award for Best Ensemble Performance, Comedy.[6](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jay-ryan/bio/3000116916/) He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2024 New Zealand Television Awards for *Creamerie*, season 2.[4](https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/jay-ryan/)
## Personal life
Ryan has a daughter, Eve, born in 2013, with the writer and director Dianna Fuemana, whom his IMDb biography describes as his best friend.[2](https://www.nndb.com/people/839/000400636/) • [14](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1216008/bio/) TV Guide notes that he turned down a role in the television series *Power Rangers Ninja Storm* early in his career.[6](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jay-ryan/bio/3000116916/)
## References
1. [Jay Ryan, TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/jay-ryan/)
2. [Jay Ryan, NNDB](https://www.nndb.com/people/839/000400636/)
3. [Jay Ryan, TVSA](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=15422)
4. [Jay Ryan, NZ On Screen](https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/jay-ryan/)
5. [Jay Ryan Joins 'It: Chapter Two' Cast as Adult Ben Hanscom, TheWrap](https://www.thewrap.com/jay-ryan-it-chapter-two/)
6. [Jay Ryan Biography, Celebrity Facts and Awards, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jay-ryan/bio/3000116916/)
7. [Jay Ryan, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1216008/)
8. [Jay Bunyan, Neighbours: The Perfect Blend](https://www.perfectblend.net/neighbourhood/pro/bunyan-jay.htm)
9. [Jay Ryan, Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/us/person/jay-ryan/umc.cpc.17fs4g9g8v9bc0ktvjau4xrz4)
10. [Jay Ryan, Famous Birthdays](https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/jay-ryan.html)
11. [Jay Ryan (III): Filmographie, AlloCiné](https://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne-555613/filmographie/)
12. [Exclusive Interview: Beauty and the Beast stars Kristin Kreuk and Jay Ryan, Assignment X](https://www.assignmentx.com/2013/exclusive-interview-beauty-and-the-beast-stars-kristin-kreuk-and-jay-ryan/)
13. [Jay Ryan, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/29009/jay-ryan)
14. [Jay Ryan Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1216008/bio/)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Soap operas and continuing serials › British and Australasian soaps and characters › Australasian soap actors and production people*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license