Alan Michael Ritchson was born on November 28, 1982, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He is an American actor, model, and singer. He grew up in a military family with his father, David Ritchson, a retired U.S. Air Force chief master sergeant, and his mother, Vickie Ritchson, a high school teacher.

He has two brothers, Eric and Brian. During his childhood, the family moved frequently before settling in Niceville, Florida.

Alan Ritchson attended Niceville High School and later Okaloosa Walton Community College, where he graduated with an Associate of Arts degree. He began his career as a model, working for brands like Abercrombie & Fitch.

He gained initial fame as a contestant on American Idol in 2004. His acting career took off with his role as Aquaman on the TV series Smallville from 2005 to 2010. He also starred in the sitcom Blue Mountain State and the action series Blood Drive.

His film credits include playing Raphael in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot and its sequel, as well as roles in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Fast X. He made his directorial debut with the film Dark Web: Cicada 3301.

In 2022, he gained wider recognition for his role as Jack Reacher in the Amazon Prime series Reacher. Alan Ritchson married his high school sweetheart, Catherine Ritchson, in 2006.

The couple has three sons, Calem, Edan, and Amory Tristan. In 2023, Alan and his family decided to sell their Florida home and live on the road, staying in Airbnbs and hotels to spend more time together.

Throughout his career, Alan Ritchson has received several awards and nominations. He won the Best Ensemble Cast award at the Austin Comedy Short Film Festival for The Grenade and the Best Actor award at the Pitch to Screen Film Awards for Above the Shadows.

He has also been nominated for Teen Choice Awards and Critics Choice Super Awards.