John P. Ryan
Biography: Character actor John P. Ryan was born on July 30, 1936 in New York City. The son of Irish immigrant parents, Ryan graduated from Rice High School and studied English at the City College of New York, where he first developed an interest in acting. He served six years in the US Army and worked as a welfare investigator prior to pursuing an acting career. John made his film debut in the 1967 comedy "The Tiger Makes Out." He appeared in five pictures for Jack Nicholson; he's especially memorable as male nurse Spicer in "Five Easy Pieces." Manic, pale-eyed and craggy-faced, with an often intense and explosive screen presence, Ryan was frequently cast as nasty villains, hard-boiled police officers, and strict military men. John gave a strong and touching performance in a rare change-of-pace sympathetic role as Frank Davis, the bitter and regretful father of a murderous monster mutant baby in Larry Cohen's excellent "It's Alive." He also portrayed Davis in the okay sequel "It Lives Again." Other notable movie parts include the fanatical Colonel Hardcore in "Shamus," shrewd mob capo Patsy O'Neill in the witty "Cops and Robbers," evil scientist Schneider in "Futureworld," the dogged Lt. Parmental in "Breathless," vicious Irish mobster Joe Flynn in "The Cotten Club;" at his ferocious best as sadistic prison Warden Ranken in the powerful "Runaway Train," hateful fascist lunatic Glastenbury in the exciting "Avenging Force," ruthless drug kingpin Nathan White in the cruddy "Death Wish IV: The Crackdown," ramrod high school principal Mr. O'Rourke in the amusing "Three O'Clock High," and lethal robot history teacher Mr. Hardin in "Class of 1999." Among the TV shows Ryan did guest spots on are "M.A.S.H.," "The Rockford Files," "Hawaii Five-O," "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century," "Starsky & Hutch," "Kojak," "Hart to Hart," "The F.B.I.," and "Miami Vice." John had a recurring role on the TV series "Archer." In addition to his film and TV credits, Ryan also appeared in over 90 stage plays. Following his final film appearance in "Bound," John spent his later years giving acting lessons and was an advocate of spiritual healing. John P. Ryan died from a stroke at age 70 on March 20, 2007 in Los Angeles, California; he's survived by two daughters.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: July 30, 1936
Deathday: March 20, 2007
Popularity:
Known For
Breathless
1983-05-13
Breathless
Overview: Jesse, a small-time criminal, high-tails it to Los Angeles to rendezvous with a French exchange student. Stealing a car and accidentally killing a highway patrolman, he becomes the most wanted fugitive in L.A.
Genres: Romance Drama Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1983-05-13
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Futureworld
1976-08-13
Futureworld
Overview: Two years after the Westworld tragedy in the Delos amusement park, the corporate owners have reopened the park following over $1 billion in safety and other improvements. For publicity purposes, reporters Chuck Browning and Tracy Ballard are invited to review the park. Just prior to arriving at the park, however, Browning is given a clue by a dying man that something is amiss.
Genres: Action Adventure Science Fiction Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-08-13
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Shamus
1973-01-31
Shamus
Overview: New York private eye Shamus McCoy likes girls, drink and gambling, but by the look of his flat business can't be too hot. So an offer of $10,000 to finds some diamonds stolen in a daring raid with a flame-thrower is too good to miss. His investigations soon get pretty complicated and rather too dangerous. At least along the way he does get to meet Alexis.
Genres: Thriller Mystery Comedy Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-01-31
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A Killing Affair
1977-09-21
A Killing Affair
Overview: A white female detective is partnered with a black male detective to find the person who is committing a series of particularly vicious murders. During the course of the investigation the two begin to develop an attraction to each other, but the situation is complicated by the fact that he is married.
Genres: Crime Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1977-09-21
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Class of 1999
1990-04-01
Class of 1999
Overview: The time is in the future and the youth gang violence is so high that the areas around some schools have become "free-fire zones", into which not even the police will venture. When Miles Langford, the head of Kennedy High School, decides to take his school back from the gangs, robotics specialist Dr. Robert Forrest provides "tactical education units". These are amazingly human-like androids that have been programmed to teach and are supplied with devastatingly effective solutions to discipline problems. So when the violent, out-of-control students of Kennedy High report for class tomorrow, they're going to get a real education... in staying alive!
Genres: Science Fiction Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1990-04-01
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Runaway Train
1985-11-15
Runaway Train
Overview: A hardened convict and a younger prisoner escape from a brutal prison in the middle of winter only to find themselves on an out-of-control train with a female railway worker while being pursued by the vengeful head of security.
Genres: Action Thriller Drama Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-11-15
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A Lovely Way to Die
1968-04-19
A Lovely Way to Die
Overview: A cop quits the force after too much disappointment in the system. He becomes a bodyguard of a rich recent widow. She is on trial for her husband's murder. He decides to help her clear her name... and get over her husband.
Genres: Mystery Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-04-19
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Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
1987-06-11
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
Overview: After the death of his girlfriend's daughter from a drug overdose, Paul Kersey takes on the local drug cartel.
Genres: Crime Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-06-11
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Bound
1996-09-13
Bound
Overview: Corky, a tough female ex-convict working on an apartment renovation in a Chicago building, meets a couple living next door, Caesar, a paranoid mobster, and Violet, his seductive girlfriend, who is immediately attracted to her.
Genres: Drama Thriller Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1996-09-13
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Five Easy Pieces
1970-09-12
Five Easy Pieces
Overview: A drop-out from upper-class America picks up work along the way on oil-rigs when his life isn't spent in a squalid succession of bars, motels, and other points of interest.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-09-12
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Dillinger
1973-07-20
Dillinger
Overview: After a shoot-out kills five FBI agents in Kansas City the Bureau target John Dillinger as one of the men to hunt down. Waiting for him to break Federal law they sort out several other mobsters, while Dillinger's bank robbing exploits make him something of a folk hero. Escaping from jail he finds Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson have joined the gang and pretty soon he is Public Enemy Number One. Now the G-men really are after him.
Genres: Action Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-07-20
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It's Alive
1974-04-26
It's Alive
Overview: Lenore and Frank Davis are about to have their second child. As Lenore gives birth, the newborn vanishes and leaves behind five dead bodies. It's up to the police and Frank to figure out where their mutated child has gone.
Genres: Horror Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-04-26
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It Lives Again
1978-05-10
It Lives Again
Overview: Maternity wards echo with the patter of tiny claws as more murderous baby-faced monsters are born. But rather than kill their monstrous off-spring during delivery, cursed parents flee to secret incubation hide-outs.
Genres: Horror Science Fiction
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-05-10
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Fatal Beauty
1987-10-30
Fatal Beauty
Overview: Detective Rita Rizzoli is accustomed to donning costumes and going undercover to nail crooks. But she'll be required to use all of her get-ups and more when a major cocaine ring is suspected of turning out a potent new strain of the drug, called "Fatal Beauty." With the help of her partner and a former bodyguard for a local cartel, Rita will do whatever it takes to find out who's dealing Fatal Beauty and stop them.
Genres: Action Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-10-30
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The Last Flight of Noah's Ark
1980-06-24
The Last Flight of Noah's Ark
Overview: The only chance to escape a desert island is to convert the plane carrying many different animals into a boat.
Genres: Adventure Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-06-24
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The Missouri Breaks
1976-05-19
The Missouri Breaks
Overview: When vigilante land baron David Braxton hangs one of the best friends of cattle rustler Tom Logan, Logan's gang decides to get even by purchasing a small farm next to Braxton's ranch. From there the rustlers begin stealing horses, using the farm as a front for their operation. Determined to stop the thefts at any cost, Braxton retains the services of eccentric sharpshooter Robert E. Lee Clayton, who begins ruthlessly taking down Logan's gang.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-05-19
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Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
1993-12-25
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Overview: Andrea Beaumont leaves her father to return to Gotham, rekindling an old romance with Bruce Wayne. At the same time, a mysterious figure begins to hunt down Gotham's criminals, wrongly implicating Batman in the murders. Now on the run from the law, Batman must find and stop the culprit, while also navigating his relationship with Andrea.
Genres: Action Animation Crime Mystery Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1993-12-25
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Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection
1990-08-24
Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection
Overview: When DEA agents are taken captive by a ruthless South American kingpin, the Delta Force is reunited to rescue them in this sequel to the 1986 film.
Genres: Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1990-08-24
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Avenging Force
1986-09-12
Avenging Force
Overview: Martial arts expert Matt Hunter was one of the most promising operatives in Army intelligence until his parents were killed by terrorists, and he retired to the family's farm in Louisiana to take care of his 12-year-old sister Sara and their grandfather Jimmy. Larry Richards, a black man running for the Senate, is one of Matt's best friends. Larry has become the target of The Pentangle, a racist organization led by a man named Glastenbury, and Glastenbury doesn't want Larry to be elected. In an attempt on Larry's life during a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, The Pentangle kills one of Larry's sons. Matt lets Larry, his wife Daisy, and his other son move to the remotely located farm so they can hide from Glastenbury and the Pentangle, but the Pentangle strikes again, setting the farmhouse on fire. Matt and Sara escape as the only survivors. Then the Pentangle kidnaps Sara, sending Matt on a mission to rescue Sara from Glastenbury and the Pentangle
Genres: Action Drama Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-09-12
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The King of Marvin Gardens
1972-10-12
The King of Marvin Gardens
Overview: Jason Staebler lives on the Boardwalk and fronts for the local mob in Atlantic City. He is a dreamer who asks his brother David, a radio personality from Philadelphia, to help him build a paradise on a Pacific Island, which might be just another of his pie-in-the-sky schemes. Inevitably, complications begin to pile up.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-10-12
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Paramedics
1988-06-01
Paramedics
Overview: Two paramedics are transferred to the nasty part of the city where a gang is killing people to sell their organs.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-06-01
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City of Shadows
1987-12-11
City of Shadows
Overview: In the same vein as Cain and Abel, here we have two brothers, one a renegade cop and the other a murderer with a taste for little boys. The brothers come to blows, from which only one can walk away.
Genres: Action Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-12-11
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The Pixar Story
2007-08-28
The Pixar Story
Overview: A look at the first years of Pixar Animation Studios - from the success of "Toy Story" and Pixar's promotion of talented people, to the building of its East Bay campus, the company's relationship with Disney, and its remarkable initial string of eight hits. The contributions of John Lasseter, Ed Catmull and Steve Jobs are profiled. The decline of two-dimensional animation is chronicled as three-dimensional animation rises. Hard work and creativity seem to share the screen in equal proportions.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2007-08-28
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Kill Me If You Can
1977-09-25
Kill Me If You Can
Overview: The story of Caryl Chessman, a convicted California rapist who spent 12 years on death row before finally being executed.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1977-09-25
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Target Risk
1975-01-06
Target Risk
Overview: A professional courier's girlfriend is abducted, and the kidnappers threaten to kill her unless the courier helps them fake a diamond robbery.
Genres: Action Thriller TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-01-06
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The Postman Always Rings Twice
1981-03-20
The Postman Always Rings Twice
Overview: The sensuous wife of a lunch wagon proprietor and a rootless drifter begin a sordidly steamy affair and conspire to murder her Greek husband.
Genres: Crime Romance Drama Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-03-20
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Rent-a-Cop
1987-11-28
Rent-a-Cop
Overview: Detective Tony Church is forced to retire and become a store rent-a-cop when his drug sting operation comes to a tragic end by a masked killer. He joins forces with a prostitute, the only one able to identify the killer, to bring him to justice.
Genres: Comedy Crime Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-11-28
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Shooting Stars
1983-07-28
Shooting Stars
Overview: Two television actors who play detectives are fired when the show's star gets upset that they are getting the better parts to play. So, they decide to try it for real.
Genres: Comedy Action TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1983-07-28
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The Legend of Nigger Charley
1972-03-16
The Legend of Nigger Charley
Overview: A trio of runaway slaves evade authorities in the Old West.
Genres: Western Action Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1972-03-16
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Houston: The Legend of Texas
1986-11-22
Houston: The Legend of Texas
Overview: Sam Elliot stars as Sam Houston, the visionary who nearly single-handedly forged the state of Texas into a powerful entity in its own right. Refusing to forget the Alamo (as if anyone could), Houston led the military in Texas' rebellion against Mexico. G.D. Spradlin co-stars as President Andrew Jackson, with Michael Beck appearing as Jim Bowie, James Stephens as Stephen Austin, and Richard Yniguez as Mexican General Santa Anna. Lensed on location in the Lone Star state, this sweeping made-for-TV film originally occupied three hours' screen time on November 22, 1986. Its title at that time was Houston: The Legend of Texas. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Genres: Western Drama History War TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-11-22
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Hoffa
1992-12-25
Hoffa
Overview: A portrait of union leader James R. Hoffa, as seen through the eyes of his friend, Bobby Ciaro. The film follows Hoffa through his countless battles with the RTA and President Roosevelt.
Genres: Crime History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1992-12-25
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Bad Blood
1994-11-03
Bad Blood
Overview: Ex-cop Travis Blackstone was sent to prison for destroying the proof of his brother's guilt. Now free, he must again come to the aid of his brother Franklin who is once again in trouble, this time owing $5 million to gangsters. Travis Blackstone finds himself taking on the gangsters.
Genres: Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1994-11-03
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Best of the Best
1989-11-10
Best of the Best
Overview: A team from the United States is going to compete against Korea in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. The team consists of fighters from all over the country--can they overcome their rivalry and work together to win?
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-11-10
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The Right Stuff
1983-10-20
The Right Stuff
Overview: As the Space Race ensues, seven pilots set off on a path to become the first American astronauts to enter space. However, the road to making history brings forth momentous challenges.
Genres: Drama History Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1983-10-20
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The Cotton Club
1984-12-14
The Cotton Club
Overview: Harlem's legendary Cotton Club becomes a hotbed of passion and violence as the lives and loves of entertainers and gangsters collide.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1984-12-14
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Star Time
1992-01-20
Star Time
Overview: When his favorite television show is canceled, Henry Pinkle is driven over the edge and decides to commit suicide. Then he meets Sam Bones, a mysterious agent who promises happiness and stardom if he follows his instructions.
Genres: Mystery Crime Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1992-01-20
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Eternity
1990-11-15
Eternity
Overview: TV producer James has an extremely vivid dream, in which he is a prince struggling to keep the kingdom at peace against the wishes of his warfaring brother, while at the same time competing with his brother for a woman's love. The figures in his dream match those in his real life, with his brother being an aggressive business man trying to buy James out, the king being James' advisor, and the woman being an actress recently cast for a commercial at his studio. Seeing his dreams as a message about his life, James decides to act on their guidance, even though they lead him into the fight of his life.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1990-11-15
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Blood River
1991-03-17
Blood River
Overview: Jimmy Pearls, a directionless young drifter, kills Henry Logan's son and two other men after he found out that they murdered Jimmy's parents for their land. Trying to get away from Logan's vengeance, he goes to ground in the mountains and meets Winston Patrick Culler, an old trapper, who becomes his traveling companion and protector. Jimmy doesn't understand though why Culler is helping him...
Genres: Western Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1991-03-17
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Young Goodman Brown
1993-04-16
Young Goodman Brown
Overview: Based of Nathaniel Hawthorn's short story of the same name. Newly married husband leaves for the night only to discover his wife maybe a witch.
Genres: Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1993-04-16
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Three O'Clock High
1987-10-09
Three O'Clock High
Overview: Nerdy high schooler Jerry Mitchell is assigned to write an article for the school paper about the infamous new delinquent transfer student, Buddy Revell. When Jerry accidentally invades Buddy's personal space and touches him, Buddy challenges Jerry to an afterschool fight in the parking lot, which Jerry tries to avoid at all costs.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-10-09
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A Hatful of Rain
1968-03-03
A Hatful of Rain
Overview: A 1968 made-for-television remake of the 1957 film, based on the disturbing 1956 Michael V. Gazzo play, as performed by members of The Actors' Studio on ABC (American Broadcasting Company) television.
Genres: Drama Crime TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-03-03
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Cops and Robbers
1973-08-15
Cops and Robbers
Overview: Two disillusioned New York policemen plan a $10 million robbery to fuel their low pensions, only to run into one debacle after another in the process.
Genres: Action Comedy Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1973-08-15
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The Escape Artist
1982-05-28
The Escape Artist
Overview: The young and self-confident Danny bluffs at the local police-station that he will escape from prison within an hour. What follows is a flashback showing his childhood with his uncle and aunt, who are 'vaudeville'-artists themselves.
Genres: Comedy Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1982-05-28
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The Patriots
1994-05-18
The Patriots
Overview: Ariel, a young French Jew, decides to leave his family to go to Israel and secretly become an agent of Mossad, the Israeli secret service. After years of training, his first mission is in Paris to steal secrets from Remy Prieur, a French atomic scientist.
Genres: Drama Crime
Original Language: fr
Release Date: 1994-05-18
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Death Scream
1975-09-26
Death Scream
Overview: Loosely based on the true story of the killing of Kitty Genovese: A young woman's murder is witnessed by fifteen of her neighbors who do nothing to help and refuse to cooperate with the police.
Genres: Crime Drama TV Movie History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-09-26
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White Sands
1992-04-24
White Sands
Overview: A small southwestern town sheriff finds a body in the desert with a suitcase and $500,000. He impersonates the man and stumbles into an FBI investigation.
Genres: Crime Thriller Action Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1992-04-24
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Rip Van Winkle
1987-03-23
Rip Van Winkle
Overview: A lazy man falls asleep for twenty years.
Genres: Fantasy TV Movie History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-03-23
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Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me
1971-09-15
Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me
Overview: Free-thinking student tries to put up with life at a straight-laced college in 1958.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-09-15
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