Ryan Kelley Biography: Age, Parents, Net Worth, Height, Siblings, Movies & TV Shows, Career

Ryan Jonathan Kelley is an American actor celebrated for his versatile performances across film and television.

Best known for his role as Deputy Jordan Parrish in MTV’s Teen Wolf (2014-2017), he portrayed a Hellhound protecting Beacon Hills, earning a global fanbase.

Kelley’s career highlights include his Independent Spirit Award-winning performance as Clyde in Mean Creek (2004), the title role in Prayers for Bobby (2009), and playing Ben Tennyson in Ben 10: Alien Swarm (2009).

Profile

• Full Name: Ryan Jonathan Kelley
• Stage Name: Ryan Kelley
• Born: 31, August 1986
• Age: 39 years old
• Birthplace: Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor, Producer
• Height: 1.82m
• Parents: Grant Kelley, Mary Kelley
• Siblings: 14
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Not married
• Net Worth: $200,000 to $500,000

Early Life and Education

Ryan Jonathan Kelley was born on August 31, 1986, in Glen Ellyn, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, to Grant Kelley and Mary Kelley.

The fifth eldest of 15 siblings-six biological and nine adopted-he grew up in a large, blended family raised in the Lutheran faith.

At age two, his mother took him and five siblings to meet a Chicago agent after neighbors did the same, sparking his career.

Kelley began acting in commercials and joined the Screen Actors Guild at four.

Due to frequent filming, he was homeschooled for his final two years of high school.

After turning 18, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time.

His ethnicity is Caucasian, and he was raised Lutheran, though his current beliefs are private.

Career

Kelley’s career began with over 50 commercials as a child, followed by his film debut at age eight as Tommy in Roommates (1995), alongside Julianne Moore and Peter Falk.

His early television work included a guest role on Early Edition (1998).

In 2002, he played a supporting role in Stolen Summer, a Project Greenlight film, and appeared as Ryan James in two episodes of Smallville.

His breakout came in 2004 with Mean Creek, where his portrayal of Clyde earned him an Independent Spirit Special Award of Achievement.

That year, he also led in The Dust Factory with Hayden Panettiere.

In 2006, Kelley played a marine in Clint Eastwood’s Letters from Iwo Jima and Roy in Outlaw Trail: The Treasure of Butch Cassidy.

His television roles expanded with guest spots on Boston Legal, Ghost Whisperer, Cold Case, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and a gripping performance as a heroin addict in Law & Order: SVU (2009).

His role as Bobby Griffith in Prayers for Bobby (2009) opposite Sigourney Weaver was critically acclaimed, earning nominations for Emmys and Golden Globes and winning a GLAAD Media Award.

Kelley’s portrayal of a gay teen struggling with his conservative family led to his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights through organizations like The Trevor Project.

Kelley starred as Ben Tennyson in Ben 10: Alien Swarm (2009), a role he cherished for its action and fan engagement, though he regretted not keeping the custom-made jacket from the set.

He signed for two follow-up films that were never produced due to network disputes.

From 2014 to 2017, he played Deputy Jordan Parrish in Teen Wolf, appearing in four seasons and the 2023 reunion film Teen Wolf: The Movie on Paramount+.

Recent roles include Realms (2017), a horror thriller shot in Thailand, Badland (2019), and A Beauty & the Beast Christmas (2019).

Kelley’s global popularity, with over 1.5 million social media followers, fuels sell-out convention appearances.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @the_ryan_kelley
• Facebook Handle: Ryan Kelley
• Twitter Handle: @the_ryan_kelley

Personal Life

Ryan Kelley is single, with no confirmed spouse, girlfriend, or children as of September 2025.

He keeps his romantic life private, and past relationships are undocumented.

Based in Los Angeles, he enjoys engaging with fans at conventions and supports causes like LGBTQ+ rights and foster care, inspired by his family’s adoption of nine siblings.

Kelley is passionate about mental health advocacy, openly discussing his struggles to encourage others to seek help.

His hobbies include dancing, as seen in a 2025 Instagram post where he humorously noted his “two left feet.”

Filmography

• Roommates (1995) – Tommy
• Early Edition (1998) – Guest role
• Stolen Summer (2002) – Supporting role
• Smallville (2002) – Ryan James
• Mean Creek (2004) – Clyde
• The Dust Factory (2004) – Ryan Flynn
• Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) – Marine
• Ghost Whisperer (2008) – Guest role
• Cold Case (2008) – Guest role
• Prayers for Bobby (2009) – Bobby Griffith
• Law & Order: SVU (2009) – Guest role
• Ben 10: Alien Swarm (2009) – Ben Tennyson
• Realms (2017) – Bobby
• Badland (2019) – Jasper Mortenson
• A Beauty & the Beast Christmas (2019) – Beau Bradley
• Teen Wolf: The Movie (2023) – Jordan Parrish

Net Worth

Ryan Kelley has an estimated net worth of $200,000 to $500,000.

His income stems from his acting roles, notably Teen Wolf, Prayers for Bobby, and Mean Creek, supplemented by convention appearances and social media sponsorships.

His reported ownership of Belleria Pizza in Columbiana is unverified and likely inaccurate, as it conflicts with his primary career focus in acting.