Robert Ryan

Robert Ryan Profile Photo

Characters played by Robert Ryan

Col. Everett Dasher Breed — The Dirty Dozen (1967)

Military officer overseeing training and discipline of the convict squad.

Allen Harper — Trail Street (1947)

Allen Harper is a law-abiding land agent and Susan Pritchett's sweetheart. He confronts the influence of Logan and becomes involved in the town's violence when he is framed for a farmer's murder and threatened by a lynch mob. After Bat defeats Logan, Allen is cleared and can marry Susan.

General Grey — Battle of the Bulge (1965)

An American senior commander who initially doubts Lt Col Kiley's interpretation of the German reconnaissance evidence. Once Kiley reports that Hessler's force is desperate for gasoline, General Grey prepares the division to defend the fuel depot and supports the plan that lures the German tanks into their final, fuel-starved battle.

Nick — Born to Be Bad (1950)

Nick is an aspiring author whose novel is about to be published by John Caine. He falls in love with Christabel and proposes to her, but she rejects him while pursuing Curtis. Later, he refuses Christabel's offer of a secret affair because she will not fully commit to him.

Sabbath Marshal Cotton Ryan — Lawman (1971)

Sabbath's marshal, Ryan tells Maddox that he has little real power against Vincent Bronson, who controls the town. He urges Bronson to avoid confronting Maddox with force, warning that it will make matters worse, but Bronson eventually demands Ryan's help against the lawman.

Nathan Stark — The Tall Men (1955)

Wealthy businessman who finances the cattle drive. Driven by a desire for revenge against Ben, he forms a vigilante committee but ultimately shows magnanimity and respect after being outmaneuvered.

Deke Thornton — The Wild Bunch (1969)

Deke Thornton is Pike Bishop's former partner, released from prison and forced to lead a posse of bounty hunters pursuing the gang. He repeatedly tracks them, survives the bridge explosion, and later chooses to abandon his obligation after witnessing the gang's aftermath and hearing of the coming revolution.

Marshal Cass Silver — The Proud Ones (1956)

Marshal of a small Kansas town bracing for the first Texas cattle drives. He holds a bitter feud with saloon owner Honest John Barrett and is the target of a deputy's initial vengeance plot. He ultimately succeeds in restoring law and order.

Dan Hammond — Horizons West (1952)

Civil War veteran and ambitious brother who returns to Texas to build a ruthless business empire. He forms a romantic and criminal partnership with Lorna Hardin, engages in horse rustling and corrupt land deals, and ultimately faces an inevitable violent showdown with his brother.

Brad Carlton — City Beneath the Sea (1953)

Brad Carlton is a salvage diver in Jamaica who is hired by Dwight Trevor to search for The Lady Luck and its reported cargo of one million dollars in gold bullion. Working alongside Tony Bartlett, Brad becomes involved in the discovery of the submerged city of Port Royal and the dangerous truth behind Trevor's insurance scheme.

Bill Lonagan — Back from Eternity (1956)

Bill Lonagan is the aircraft captain, responsible for flying the group and leading their survival efforts after the emergency landing. Once a highly regarded major-airline pilot, he turned to drinking after his wife died. He develops a mutual understanding and emotional connection with Rena while directing repairs and the final escape attempt.

Jeff Clanton — Best of the Badmen (1951)

An Army major from Missouri, Clanton captures the surviving members of Quantrill's Raiders and persuades them to surrender and pledge allegiance to the Union, promising they will be paroled. After Fowler's deputy is killed in a shootout, Clanton is unjustly accused of the murder, sentenced to hang, and escapes. He then leads the outlaws in a vendetta against Fowler's detective agency.

Career Overview

Robert Ryan has 91 screen credits in a career dating back to 1940. Their work spans 3 cinematic universes — most prominently Dirty Dozen Series with 1 titles. Signature works include Day of the Outlaw, Trail Street, Lawman. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
male
Known Credits
91
Birth Date
1909-11-11
Birth Place
Chicago, Illinois, USA

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 3 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q350680), public domain (CC0).