Alan Ritchson in a scene from Reacher, which continues to top watch lists around the world. Photo: Prime Video
While the series’ second season has received mixed reviews, it’s still getting plenty of eyeballs as fans who were gripped by the show’s first season are eager to find out what happens next.
Actor Alan Ritchson has 51 acting credits to his name and counting. Photo: @alanritchson/Instagram
The main character Jack Reacher is played by American actor Alan Ritchson, who has accumulated a massive fan base since the show’s release.
But who is he, beyond the iconic role? Here’s what we know:
Alan Ritchson’s background
Alan Ritchson is reportedly of Czech, English and German descent. Photo: @alanritchson/Instagram
Alan Michael Ritchson, 41, was born into a military family in North Dakota in the US. According to his IMDB profile, he is of Czech, English and German descent, and moved around frequently as a child.
What has Alan Ritchson starred in?
Alan Ritchson in an exciting scene from Prime Video’s hit series Reacher. Photo: Prime Video
With over 51 acting credits to his name, Ritchson is no stranger to the screen. He made his debut in 1999 with a cameo in Frasier, and has since grown his presence by starring in films and TV shows including Smallville (as Aquaman), 90210, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Black Mirror, and Fast X, to name a few.
How tall is Alan Ritchson?
Alan Ritchson quite literally has a large on-screen presence in Reacher. Photo: @alanritchson/Instagram
Ritchson looks huge on screen, leading many fans to ask just how big the actor really is. In the original books by Lee Child, Jack Reacher is described as a “giant” at 195cm.
And while Tom Cruise playing the character may have confused fans given his diminutive 170cm height, Ritchson comes in much closer to Child’s original creation at 188cm.
Does Alan Ritchson have a wife?
High school sweethearts Alan Ritchson and Catherine Ritchson in Rome. Photo: @alanritchson/Instagram
Sorry peeps, but Ritchson is not on the market and he hasn’t been for a long time – in fact, he has been married to his wife Catherine Ritchson for 15 years, as per Men’s Health.
Per the same source, the lovebirds met in senior school and share three children together. Ritchson often shares snippets of their family life on his socials too.
How did Reacher get so big?
Alan Ritchson in a recent behind-the-scenes shot from Reacher, season 3. Photo: @alanritchson/Instagram
Ritchson, per Lee Child’s original character, is massive. But it’s no mean feat getting that shredded, and being in his 40s, many netizens were quick to question whether Ritchson had some extra help with the use of steroids or hormones to get ripped.
Alan Ritchson has been with his wife Catherine Ritchson for 15 years. Photo: @alanritchson/Instagram
In a recent interview with Men’s Health, he confirmed that he had been using testosterone therapy (or TRT) to get as shredded as he is now.
“Getting on testosterone was huge for me,” he told the publication, “I had none by the time I was done with season one, due to the stress and the fatigue and what I had done to my body.” He added, “For me, it’s a long game. I want to do Reacher for 15 years … I don’t want to have to have surgery after every season, and testosterone helps.”
Besides TRT, Ritchson has been open about the sheer amount of work he has also had to put in at the gym and in the kitchen. Per GQ, he had to consume about 4,500 calories a day to get into shape for the role.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever done [it]. It’s a full-time job to eat enough to put on 30 pounds,” he said on The Kelly Clarkson Show. “I had an assistant whose only job was to bring me food. It was like a conveyor belt of smoothies and protein.” Ritchson also shares snippets of his workouts – and results – on his Instagram.
Does Alan Ritchson do his own stunts on Reacher?
Alan Ritchson has repeatedly been asked about his height and fitness regime after playing Jack Reacher. Photo: Invision/AP
In his interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ritchson seemed to imply that he does many of his own stunts – despite having a stunt double.
Alan Ritchson was also in the Fast X film, part of the Fast & Furious franchise. Photo: @alanritchson/Instagram
When asked if he does his own stunts, Ritchson reportedly laughed and said: “Ryan [Ryan Tarran, his stunt double], I say good things about him, but dude never does anything for me.
He sits there and he eats Craig’s Cookies. Yeah, he doesn’t do anything, he just like stands by the monitor and critiques my performances, like, ‘It’s not good enough!’ I’m, like, ‘Why don’t you get in there and do your f***ing job!’”