RYAN GUZMAN

Identity & Early Life

Name & Age

• Ryan Anthony Guzman, born September 21, 1987, is currently 37 years old .

Birthplace & Family Background

• He was born in Abilene, Texas, to Ramón Guzman Jr., a Mexican immigrant, and Lisa Anne Hudson, whose ancestry includes English, German, French, Dutch, and Swedish roots .

• Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Sacramento, California, where he grew up alongside his younger brother, Steven .

Education & Athletic Start

Early Interests & Sports

• Guzman began training in Taekwondo at age 7 and earned a black belt by age 10, later transitioning into mixed martial arts, competing in the octagon until 2010 .

• He was a left-handed pitcher with a fastball between 87–90 mph, playing baseball at West Campus High School and Sierra College, before a shoulder injury and surgery ended his athletic career .

Modeling Breakthrough

• At 18, he entered print modeling in San Francisco with LOOK Models, later joining Wilhelmina in Los Angeles, and worked with brands like Calvin Klein, Abercrombie & Fitch, Reebok, Old Navy, and Gillette .

Acting Emergence & Film Career

Step Up Success

• In 2012, Guzman landed his breakout role as Sean Asa—a lead in Step Up Revolution—despite having no formal dance background. He trained intensively to match professional dancers and reprised the role in Step Up: All In (2014) .

Diversified Film Roles

• Appeared in There's Always Woodstock and April Rain (2014), followed by the psychological thriller The Boy Next Door (2015) opposite Jennifer Lopez .

• Took on varied parts in Jem and the Holograms (2015), Everybody Wants Some!! (2016), Backtrace (2018), Armed (2018), and The Present (2024) .

Television Highlights

Early Series Roles

• Made his TV debut in Pretty Little Liars (2013–14) as Jake, evolving from a short stint to a 9-episode arc .

• Starred as Carlos Gutierrez, a conflicted war veteran in Heroes Reborn (2015) .

Mainstream Breakthrough with 9-1-1

• Since 2018, he's played Edmundo “Eddie” Diaz on 9-1-1, portraying a Texas-born firefighter whose layered character and emotional depth have earned acclaim .

Personal Growth & Advocacy

Mental Health Journey

• Guzman has openly discussed his mental health struggles, including a suicide attempt years ago. He credits the role of Eddie Diaz—and the responsibility of portraying a real father figure—as pivotal in his healing journey .

• The tragic loss of friend Stephen “tWitch” Boss in 2022 deeply affected him, reinforcing his commitment to vulnerability and empathy .

Becoming a Father

• In January 2019, he and then-partner Chrysti Ane welcomed a son, Mateo Lopes, followed by daughter Genevieve Valentina in January 2021 . They separated in 2023 .

• His on-screen parenting experiences have mirrored his real-life fatherhood, enhancing his emotional authenticity on 9-1-1 .

What’s Next for Ryan Guzman

• Continues to star as Eddie Diaz in 9-1-1 and may bring his dance roots back to the show in upcoming seasons .

• His ongoing presence in both film and TV reflects a career path rich in emotional honesty, physicality, and personal transformation.

Ryan Guzman’s journey—from a Texas-born athlete and model to a multidimensional actor and devoted father—reflects resilience, authenticity, and a heart-led growth that resonates on screen and off.