| Jack Ryder | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jack Seigfried Ryder 21 September 1981 Woolwich, South London, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse | Kym Marsh (m. 2002–2009) (divorced)[1] |
Jack Seigfried Ryder (born 21 September 1981) is an English actor, best known for playing Jamie Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders from 1998 to 2002.
Contents |
In 2004, Ryder appeared as a contestant on celebrity Weakest Link, performed as Justin Timberlake on celebrity Stars in Their Eyes (which he won), appeared in the pantomime Sleeping Beauty at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury and was cast in a recurring role on Five's Family Affairs which he pulled out of when he learned that the series was soon to be axed. In 2005, he played a role in the ITV crime drama MIT: Murder Investigation Team and appeared in a play broadcast on BBC Radio 4. In 2006, Ryder appeared in the play The Safari Party which toured the UK extensively and ran at the Richmond Theatre.
After a considerable period of time out of the limelight, Ryder starred in the British film Popcorn which was released in the spring of 2007. Ryder was due to become a regular character in the new ITV1 daytime series The Royal Today, a contemporary spin-off of The Royal, but he subsequently withdrew from playing the role.[2]
In Spring 2008 he was in Christopher Luscombe's production of Alan Bennett's play Single Spies starring opposite Nigel Havers. Between 18 September and 27 September 2008, Ryan played Romeo in Michael Bogdanov's production of Romeo and Juliet at Swansea's Grand Theatre, with Sara Lloyd Gregory as Juliet. The production subsequently embarked on an extensive UK tour. In October 2008, Ryder joined The Archers as Ryan.
From 28 July 2009, he played the photographer Laurence in the West End production of Calendar Girls at the Noel Coward Theatre, where he was also the assistant director. He presently continues as associate director of Calendar Girls, responsible for all theatre productions world-wide.
In December 2010 Ryder wrote and directed his first short film, an adaptation of Mary Grace Dembeck's short story Act of Memory starring Claire Skinner, Owen Teale and Anna Massey which was shot on location in London and received glowing reviews.[3]
In February/March 2011 he was in Thea Sharrock's critically accaimed production of David Hare's Plenty at Sheffield Theatres. April 2011 saw Ryder direct his own new production of "Calender Girls" with Lesley Joseph, Sue Holderness, Deena Payne, Helen Fraser and Kacey Ainsworth which has been widely praised and will now tour through 2011.
In November 2011 Ryder started filming Henry V playing the part of Court for Neal Street Productions, Sam Mendes and the BBC.
In December 2011, Ryder's Film company Hendrix Productions acquired the film rights to Torey Hayden's New York Times best selling book GHOST GIRL..
January 2012, Ryder will direct a new stage production of CALENDAR GIRLS, this time with the original Calendar Girl herself, Linda Bellingham.
Ryder is the son of Jack Hues (real name Jeremy Allan Ryder), the founder of 1980s New Wave band Wang Chung. He married former Hear’Say singer turned actress Kym Marsh in St Albans, Hertfordshire,[4] on 10 August 2002 and, after settling in St Albans, the couple had early difficulties and split for a short while before reconciling. In light of her regular roles in north-west-produced dramas, the couple moved to Manchester and closer to Kym's family in 2005.
It was announced on 20 March 2008 that Kym and Jack had decided to separate. Jack now lives in London.
Ryder is a supporter of Newcastle United F.C..[5]