Jay Ryan Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Height, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Partner

Jay Ryan is a New Zealand actor known for his roles as Jack Scully in Neighbours (2002–2005), Vincent Keller in Beauty & the Beast (2012–2016), and adult Ben Hanscom in It Chapter Two (2019).

Born on August 29, 1981, in Auckland, New Zealand, he has built a versatile career across television, film, and theater, leveraging his theater background and ability to adopt an American accent.

Profile

• Full Name: Jay Bunyan
• Stage Name: Jay Ryan
• Born: August 29, 1981
• Age: 43 years old
• Birthplace: Auckland, New Zealand
• Nationality: New Zealand, Canadian
• Occupation: New Zealand Actor
• Height: 1.85 m
• Parents: Mr and Mrs Ryan
• Siblings: One sister
• Spouse: Dianna Fuemana
• Children: One daughter, Eve Bunyan (born March 2013)
• Relationship: Dating
• Net Worth: $1 million to $4 million

Early Life and Education

Jay Ryan, born Jay Bunyan on August 29, 1981, in Auckland, New Zealand, grew up in a mixed-ethnicity family with a half-Tongan sister. His parents’ names are not publicly disclosed, reflecting his private nature. As a hyperactive child, he began performing at age eight, entertaining as a clown at local supermarkets on weekends, which sparked his passion for acting.

At age 10, his family moved to Australia, where he completed his primary and high school education at a private school in Auckland before the move. Specific details about his schools or further formal education are not documented, but his early theater involvement suggests self-directed or community-based training.

He later returned to New Zealand, where he pursued acting professionally. His decision to change his surname from Bunyan to Ryan, based on his mother’s family name, came at the suggestion of Los Angeles casting directors to avoid the association with “bunion.”

Career

Jay Ryan’s career began under his birth name, Jay Bunyan, with minor roles in Young Hercules (1998) as a Cadet and Xena: Warrior Princess (1999). He debuted in film with the short Warra Warra (2004) as Ridley and appeared as Glen in Scallywag Pirates (2000). His breakthrough came with the role of Jack Scully in the Australian soap opera Neighbours (2002–2005), earning a Logie Award nomination.

From 2007 to 2009, he played Seaman Billy “Spider” Webb in Sea Patrol, followed by Kevin in the New Zealand comedy-drama Go Girls (2009–2012). In 2011, he guest-starred as a murderer in Terra Nova, showcasing his American accent, and joined the Australian series Offspring.

In 2012, Ryan landed the lead role of Vincent Keller in The CW’s Beauty & the Beast (2012–2016), a career-defining role that boosted his international profile. He worked with Jane Campion on the BBC miniseries Top of the Lake (2013), earning a New Zealand “Best on the Box” Best Actor award.

Other roles include Detective Ben Wesley in Mary Kills People (2017–2019), Bobby in Creamerie (2021–2023), and adult Ben Hanscom in It Chapter Two (2019), sharing the role with Jeremy Ray Taylor. His theater work includes touring with John Cleese in Seven Ways to Skin an Ocelot and starring in Dianna Fuemana’s The Packer, which was nominated for Best International Contribution at the 2011 Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Recent projects include Scrublands and Territory (2024). Ryan’s versatility spans drama, comedy, and horror across television, film, and stage.

Awards and Nominations

• Won: New Zealand “Best on the Box” Best Actor Award for Top of the Lake (2013)
• Nominated: Logie Award, Most Popular New Male Talent for Neighbours (2003)
• Nominated: Ensemble recognition for It Chapter Two (MTV Movie & TV Awards, Best On-Screen Team, 2018, for It)
• Nominated: Best International Contribution to Los Angeles Theatre for The Packer (2011 Hollywood Fringe Festival)

His awards reflect his impact in New Zealand television and international theater.

Social Media

Instagram Handle: @jayryanofficial

Personal Life

Jay Ryan resides primarily in Los Angeles, with ties to Auckland, New Zealand, and Australia. He is in a long-term relationship with Canadian-New Zealand playwright and director Dianna Fuemana, with whom he has a daughter, Eve Bunyan, born in March 2013. The couple is not legally married but shares a committed partnership, often collaborating professionally, as seen in The Packer.

Ryan prioritizes family, noting that fatherhood reshaped his perspective on life. His hobbies include painting and sketching, and he maintains an athletic physique through regular exercise. He became a Canadian citizen in March 2023, reflecting his connection to Canada through Fuemana and working on projects like Beauty & the Beast and Mary Kills People.

Ryan has avoided major controversies, maintaining a professional and family-oriented image.

Filmography

• Young Hercules (1998, TV series) – Cadet
• Xena: Warrior Princess (1999, TV series) – Minor role
• Scallywag Pirates (2000, film) – Glen (as Jay Bunyan)
• Neighbours (2002–2005, TV series) – Jack Scully
• Warra Warra (2004, short film) – Ridley
• Sea Patrol (2007–2009, TV series) – Seaman Billy “Spider” Webb
• Go Girls (2009–2012, TV series) – Kevin
• Offspring (2011, TV series) – Supporting role
• Terra Nova (2011, TV series) – Murderer
• Lou (2010, film) – Supporting role
• Top of the Lake (2013, TV miniseries) – Mark Mitcham
• Beauty & the Beast (2012–2016, TV series) – Vincent Keller
• Mary Kills People (2017–2019, TV series) – Detective Ben Wesley
• It Chapter Two (2019, film) – Adult Ben Hanscom
• Creamerie (2021–2023, TV series) – Bobby
• Scrublands (2024, TV series) – Supporting role
• Territory (2024, TV series) – Supporting role
• Franswa Sharl (short film) – Supporting role
• Mockingbird (short film) – Supporting role
• Bleeders (short film) – Supporting role

Net Worth

Jay Ryan’s net worth is estimated at $1 million to $4 million, derived from his roles in Neighbours, Beauty & the Beast, It Chapter Two, and other projects, as well as theater work and potential endorsements. Sources estimate his annual income at approximately $484,000–$500,000 from acting contracts and sponsorships.