Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Alan Ritchson

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Alan Ritchson made an impact.

Alan Ritchson is an American actor known for his roles in various television series. He began his acting career as Aquaman on Smallville (2005–2010). He gained prominence for his starring role in the sitcom Blue Mountain State (2010–2012) and later headlined the action series Blood Drive (2017). Ritchson also played Hank Hall / Hawk in the series Titans (2018-2021). He achieved wider recognition for portraying the title character in the Amazon Prime Video action thriller series Reacher starting in 2022.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2004: Appeared on American Idol

In 2004, Alan Ritchson appeared on American Idol as one of the top 87 contestants in the third season before being cut in Hollywood. His appearance on the show was noted for his striptease in one episode in which he charmed judge Paula Abdul during his audition. After going to Hollywood, he decided to stay in Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

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2005: Acting Debut as Aquaman in Smallville

In 2005, Alan Ritchson made his acting debut as Aquaman / Arthur Curry on The CW superhero series Smallville, where he appeared as a guest star between the fifth and 10th seasons.

2005: Released independent album This Is Next Time

In 2005, Alan Ritchson released an independent album called This Is Next Time.

2006: Small role in Though None Go with Me

In 2006, Alan Ritchson had a small role as an army officer in the Hallmark Channel movie Though None Go with Me.

2006: Role in The Butcher

In 2006, Alan Ritchson played a role in the film The Butcher.

2007: Facial image used for Beowulf

In 2007, director Robert Zemeckis used Alan Ritchson's facial image, physique and movement for actor Ray Winstone of the title character of Beowulf.

2009: Minor role in Fired Up!

In 2009, Alan Ritchson had a minor role in Fired Up!.

2009: Lucian Manet in Nora Roberts' Midnight Bayou

In 2009, Alan Ritchson played the role of Lucian Manet in the Lifetime original film Nora Roberts' Midnight Bayou.

2010: Starred in Blue Mountain State

In 2010, Alan Ritchson had a starring role in the Spike TV sitcom Blue Mountain State.

2010: Main role of Thad Castle in Blue Mountain State

In 2010, Alan Ritchson started playing the main role of Thad Castle, the captain of a college football team, in Spike TV's Blue Mountain State.

2011: Appeared in 90210

In 2011, Alan Ritchson appeared in an episode of season 3 of 90210 as a love interest for main character Teddy Montgomery (Trevor Donovan).

February 2012: Blue Mountain State cancelled

In February 2012, Blue Mountain State was cancelled after its third season.

2012: Blue Mountain State Ended

In 2012, Alan Ritchson's show Blue Mountain State ended.

2013: Appeared in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

In 2013, Alan Ritchson appeared in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

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2014: Played Raphael in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

In 2014, Alan Ritchson played Raphael in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot.

2015: Appeared in Lazer Team

In 2015, Alan Ritchson appeared in Lazer Team.

2015: Regular on I Can Do That

In 2015, Alan Ritchson became a regular on the NBC variety show I Can Do That.

January 2016: Co-starred in Lazer Team

In January 2016, Alan Ritchson co-starred in Rooster Teeth Production's first feature-length movie—the science fiction comedy Lazer Team.

2016: Appeared in Black Mirror episode "Nosedive"

In 2016, Alan Ritchson appeared in "Nosedive", an episode of the anthology series Black Mirror.

2016: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sequel

In 2016, Alan Ritchson appeared in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sequel.

2016: Blue Mountain State film sequel

In 2016, Alan Ritchson reprised his role in the Blue Mountain State film sequel.

2017: Headlined Blood Drive

In 2017, Alan Ritchson headlined the SyFy action series Blood Drive.

2017: Main character in Blood Drive

In 2017, Alan Ritchson played the main character in the Syfy series Blood Drive.

2018: Recurring role of Hawk in Titans

In 2018, Alan Ritchson played the recurring role of Hank Hall / Hawk in the DC Universe series Titans, initially as a guest star before being promoted to series regular for the second season.

2018: Returned to superhero television as Hawk in Titans

In 2018, Alan Ritchson returned to superhero television as Hank Hall / Hawk on the DC Universe / HBO Max series Titans.

2018: Director of Dark Web: Cicada 3301

In 2018, Alan Ritchson was announced as the director, co-writer, and producer of Dark Web: Cicada 3301, a comedy-thriller film inspired by the eponymous organization. He also co-starred as an NSA agent.

2020: Announced as Jack Reacher in Reacher

In 2020, Alan Ritchson was announced to be portraying Jack Reacher in an eponymous series on Amazon Prime.

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2020: Lionsgate acquired rights for Dark Web: Cicada 3301

In 2020, the rights for Alan Ritchson's movie Dark Web: Cicada 3301 were acquired by Lionsgate.

March 12, 2021: Dark Web: Cicada 3301 released digitally

On March 12, 2021, Lionsgate digitally released Dark Web: Cicada 3301.

2021: Left Titans

In 2021, Alan Ritchson left Titans.

2021: Made directorial debut in Dark Web: Cicada 3301

In 2021, Alan Ritchson made his directorial debut and co-starred in the action-comedy Dark Web: Cicada 3301.

January 2022: Started YouTube channel InstaChurch

In January 2022, Alan Ritchson started the YouTube channel InstaChurch, where he discusses his Christian convictions.

2022: Starred in Reacher

In 2022, Alan Ritchson gained wider recognition for portraying the title character in the ongoing Amazon Prime Video action thriller series Reacher.

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2022: Joined cast of Fast X

In 2022, Alan Ritchson joined the cast of Fast X.

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2023: Appeared in Fast X

In 2023, Alan Ritchson appeared in Fast X.

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2024: Appeared in Ordinary Angels and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

In 2024, Alan Ritchson appeared in Jon Gunn's drama movie Ordinary Angels, written by Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig, and in Guy Ritchie's action comedy film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.