Ryan McCartan

Ryan Jerome McCartan was born on June 14, 1993, in Excelsior, Minnesota. He began his performance career at a young age, participating in local theater productions. In 2007, he took on an ensemble role in the stage version of “Disney’s High School Musical.” His early talent was recognized when he starred in Minnetonka’s first regional production of “The Phantom of the Opera” in 2011, the same year he won Best Performance by an Actor at the Jimmy Awards, an accolade for high school musical performers. These early experiences laid the groundwork for his transition into professional acting.

McCartan gained national recognition for his recurring role as Diggie Smalls on the Disney Channel series “Liv and Maddie,” appearing in 27 episodes from 2013 to 2017. During this period, he also originated the role of Jason “J.D.” Dean in the 2013 world premiere of “Heathers: The Musical” in Los Angeles, a role he reprised Off-Broadway in 2014. In 2016, he portrayed Brad Majors in the Fox musical television film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again.” His stage career continued to advance, leading to his Broadway debut as Fiyero in “Wicked” in 2018. He also performed as Prince Hans in the Broadway production of “Frozen” in 2020, and later in its U.S. National Tour.

Further demonstrating his range, McCartan took on the titular role of Jay Gatsby in “The Great Gatsby” on Broadway, starting in January 2025. He has also appeared in films such as “R.L. Stine’s Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls” (2015) and “Love You Anyway” (2022). His television credits include roles in “Royal Pains,” “Midnight, Texas,” “Freakish,” and “The Winchesters.” Beyond acting, McCartan has released music, including the studio album “Heart Attack” (2015) and several EPs, showcasing his capabilities as a singer. He has also shared aspects of his personal experiences, including living with Type-1 diabetes since age six, and has spoken about being a sexual abuse survivor.