{{Short description|American actor (born 1983)}} {{Infobox person |name = Ryan Dorsey |image = <!-- filename only, no "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and no enclosing brackets --> |alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> |caption = |birth_name = Ryan Keith Dorsey |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|07|19}} |birth_place = Chesapeake, West Virginia, U.S. |death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (DEATH date then BIRTH date) --> |death_place = |other_names = |occupation = Actor |years_active = 2013–present |spouse = {{marriage|Naya Rivera|2014|2018|reason=divorced}} |children = 1 |known_for = |notable_works = }} '''Ryan Keith Dorsey''' (born July 19, 1983) is an American actor, known for playing Earl on ''Justified'' and Duquesne "Dime Bag" Baker on ''Ray Donovan''. His personal life, particularly his marriage to Naya Rivera, has garnered significant media attention.
==Early life== Ryan Keith Dorsey<ref name=keith>{{cite web|url=http://abc11.com/former-glee-star-arrested-on-domestic-battery-charges-/2698919/|title=Former 'Glee' star arrested on domestic battery charges in West Virginia|agency=AP|website=ABC11 News|date=November 26, 2017|accessdate=August 18, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126205846/http://abc11.com/former-glee-star-arrested-on-domestic-battery-charges-/2698919/|archive-date=November 26, 2017}}</ref> was born in the small coal mining town of Chesapeake, near Charleston, West Virginia,<ref name=5things>{{cite web|last=Mason|first=Aiden|date=2017-11-29|title=Five Things You Didn't Know about Ryan Dorsey|url=https://www.tvovermind.com/five-things-didnt-know-ryan-dorsey/|access-date=2020-08-18|website=TVOvermind|archive-date=2024-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009064054/https://tvovermind.com/five-things-didnt-know-ryan-dorsey/|url-status=live}}</ref> on July 19, 1983.<ref name=HollywoodLifeOverview/> After attending middle school in West Virginia, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, for high school. He said that he decided to move to Charlotte, where his mother lived, because he felt that in a bigger city he would have more sporting opportunities. However, he returned to West Virginia and joined Riverside High School when it became consolidated. He had not intended this, but received a head injury while visiting his father on Thanksgiving; subsequent medical treatments in his hometown kept him there.<ref name=WVinterview>{{cite web|last=Lynch|first=Bill|title=W.Va. actor's biggest break? His nose|url=https://www.wvgazettemail.com/arts__entertainment/w-va-actor-s-biggest-break-his-nose/article_fa78b139-c685-5a94-b993-46c2e9b47b5b.html|access-date=2020-08-18|website=Charleston Gazette-Mail|date=19 April 2015|archive-date=2020-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818065921/https://www.wvgazettemail.com/arts__entertainment/w-va-actor-s-biggest-break-his-nose/article_fa78b139-c685-5a94-b993-46c2e9b47b5b.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He became interested in acting during his senior year of high school after a football injury prevented him from playing, and he was encouraged to join theatre; his high school theatre program was run by a professional Hollywood actor taking time off.<ref name=5things/> Dorsey studied theatre at Western Carolina University, with plans to join their football team, but dropped out and moved to New York City during his freshman year, enrolling at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.<ref name=HollywoodLifeOverview>{{cite web|last=Brow|first=Jason|date=2020-07-09|title=Ryan Dorsey: 5 Things To Know About Naya Rivera's Ex-Husband And Father Of Her Son, 4|url=https://hollywoodlife.com/feature/who-is-ryan-dorsey-2886384/|access-date=2020-08-18|website=Hollywood Life|archive-date=2020-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801114207/https://hollywoodlife.com/feature/who-is-ryan-dorsey-2886384/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Career== Dorsey began acting professionally shortly after moving to New York, working primarily in television,<ref name=HollywoodLifeOverview/> taking his first roles in 2013 on ''Southland'' and ''Parks and Recreation''.<ref name=TheListOverview>{{cite web|last=Scinto|first=Maria|date=2020-07-09|title=The truth about Naya Rivera's ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey|url=https://www.thelist.com/225106/the-truth-about-naya-riveras-ex-husband-ryan-dorsey/|access-date=2020-08-18|website=TheList.com|archive-date=2020-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805141848/https://www.thelist.com/225106/the-truth-about-naya-riveras-ex-husband-ryan-dorsey/|url-status=live}}</ref> He is mainly known for his recurring role as Earl on ''Justified'' in 2015, and then Duquesne "Dime Bag" Baker on ''Ray Donovan'' in 2017,<ref name=HollywoodLifeOverview/> and his other appearances include recurring roles on ''Pitch'', ''Bosch'', ''Yellowstone'', ''Runaways'', ''Stumptown'', ''The Vampire Diaries'' and ''Nashville''.<ref name=keith/><ref name=HollywoodLifeOverview/><ref name=TheListOverview/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=2017-04-05|title=Patrick Carlyle Joins Hulu's 'Future Man'; Ryan Dorsey In Showtime's 'Ray Donovan'|url=https://deadline.com/2017/04/patrick-carlyle-hulu-future-man-ryan-dorsey-ray-donovan-1202062508/|access-date=2020-08-18|website=Deadline|archive-date=2020-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731223435/https://deadline.com/2017/04/patrick-carlyle-hulu-future-man-ryan-dorsey-ray-donovan-1202062508/|url-status=live}}</ref>
He was originally contracted for a three episode arc on ''Justified'', before being bumped to five and then ten episodes of the thirteen-episode season.<ref name=WVinterview/> On ''Pitch'' he portrayed Tommy Miller, a member of the baseball team who objects to a woman joining the team,<ref>{{cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=2016-08-22|title='Pitch' Casts Ryan Dorsey & Jeff Torres As Recurring|url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/pitch-cast-ryan-dorsey-jeff-torres-1201806394/|access-date=2020-08-18|website=Deadline|archive-date=2020-02-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229223226/https://deadline.com/2016/08/pitch-cast-ryan-dorsey-jeff-torres-1201806394/|url-status=live}}</ref> and he played Blake in the second season of ''Yellowstone''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Amanda|last=Garrity|date=2019-08-28|title='Yellowstone' Fans Will Finally Meet John Dutton's Dad In Tonight's Season 2 Finale|url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g28185574/yellowstone-season-2-cast/|access-date=2020-08-18|website=Good Housekeeping|archive-date=2020-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713021033/https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g28185574/yellowstone-season-2-cast/|url-status=live}}</ref> His debut feature film role came in 2016's ''Blood Father'', a French film in the English language starring Mel Gibson, with Dorsey in a small role as the drug dealer Shamrock.<ref name=5things/> In January 2021, Dorsey was added to the cast of the ABC drama ''Big Sky'' as recurring character Rand Kleinsasser.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/big-sky-ted-levine-david-e-kelleys-abc-drama-kyle-schmid-1234678711/|title='Big Sky': Ted Levine Joins ABC Drama As Series Regular, Kyle Schmid To Recur|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=January 25, 2021|access-date=May 7, 2021|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227065829/https://deadline.com/2021/01/big-sky-ted-levine-david-e-kelleys-abc-drama-kyle-schmid-1234678711/|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2025–January 2026, Dorsey starred in the second season of the Apple TV period comedy-drama ''Palm Royale'' as recurring character Jedebedaiah.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=October 16, 2025 |title='Palm Royale' Season 2 Trailer Teases Chaos, Secrets & Lies Ahead |url=https://deadline.com/2025/10/palm-royale-season-2-trailer-1236587901/ |access-date=January 24, 2026 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossi |first=Rosemary |date=January 14, 2026 |title='Palm Royale' Boss and Kristen Wiig on Whether That Finale Wedding Twist Means the Show Is Over |url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/palm-royale-season-2-finale-season-3-tease-1236630388/ |access-date=January 24, 2026 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Personal life== thumb|upright|Naya Rivera in 2010; Dorsey and Rivera were married between 2014 and 2018. Dorsey met actress Naya Rivera in 2010, and they briefly dated before splitting because, as Dorsey's father described it, Dorsey was "a playboy."<ref name="TheListOverview" /><ref name=":6" /> Rivera revealed in a 2016 memoir that she had an abortion in 2010, shortly after splitting from Dorsey, due to the fact that her career was taking off with her successful role on ''Glee''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gomez|first=Patrick|date=August 24, 2016|title=Naya Rivera Reveals She Battled Anorexia as a Teen, Had an Abortion While on Glee|url=http://www.people.com/article/naya-rivera-talks-teenage-anorexia-struggles-abortion-during-glee|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825105541/http://www.people.com/article/naya-rivera-talks-teenage-anorexia-struggles-abortion-during-glee|archive-date=August 25, 2016|access-date=August 24, 2016|work=People}}</ref>
Rivera and Dorsey got together again in 2014 after her split from rapper Big Sean, which is when she told him about the abortion; she said that he was supportive and respectful when she did.<ref name="IT2016">{{cite web|date=2016-09-13|title=Naya Rivera Makes Shocking Confessions in New Memoir 'Sorry Not Sorry'|url=https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/naya-rivera-facts-memoir-sorry-not-sorry-113392/|access-date=2020-07-29|website=In Touch Weekly|archive-date=2020-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120000643/https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/naya-rivera-facts-memoir-sorry-not-sorry-113392/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=disstracks>{{cite web|date=2016-11-01|title=Big Sean Disses Naya Rivera in New Song, Accuses His Ex of Having Multiple Plastic Surgeries!|url=https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/naya-rivera-big-sean-diss-117709/|access-date=2020-08-06|website=In Touch Weekly|archive-date=2020-09-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912185507/https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/naya-rivera-big-sean-diss-117709/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Hunter|title=Naya Rivera's Husband Had The Perfect Response To Her Abortion|url=https://www.refinery29.com/2016/09/123132/naya-rivera-ryan-dorsey-abortion-response|access-date=2020-08-11|website=Refinery29}}</ref> Dorsey and Rivera married in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on Dorsey's birthday, July 19, 2014; they did not announce the engagement or wedding until several days later on July 23.<ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/article/naya-rivera-marries-ryan-dorsey-wedding-photos|title=Naya Rivera Marries Ryan Dorsey|work=People|date=July 23, 2014|accessdate=July 23, 2014|first=Julie|last=Jordan|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905093301/http://www.people.com/article/naya-rivera-marries-ryan-dorsey-wedding-photos|archivedate=September 5, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2015, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/629345/naya-rivera-is-pregnant-baby-on-the-way-for-glee-star-and-husband-ryan-dorsey|title=Naya Rivera Is Pregnant! Baby on the Way for Glee Star and Husband Ryan Dorsey|first=Natalie|last=Finn|publisher=E! Online|date=February 24, 2015|accessdate=September 30, 2015|archivedate=April 16, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416063433/http://www.eonline.com/news/629345/naya-rivera-is-pregnant-baby-on-the-way-for-glee-star-and-husband-ryan-dorsey|url-status=live}}</ref> and their son, Josey Hollis, was born on September 17, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2015/09/30/naya-rivera-ryan-dorsey-welcome-son-josey-hollis/|title=Ryan Dorsey and Naya Rivera Welcome Son Josey Hollis|work=People|date=September 30, 2015|accessdate=September 30, 2015|first1=Anya|last1=Leon|first2=Elizabeth|last2=Leonard|archivedate=September 30, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930194016/http://celebritybabies.people.com/2015/09/30/naya-rivera-ryan-dorsey-welcome-son-josey-hollis/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Josey was being raised by his mother as bilingual in Spanish and English, due to her multicultural heritage.<ref name=stepupinterview>{{cite web|title=EXCLUSIVE: Naya Rivera Talks New Show 'Step Up: High Water'|url=http://www.latina.com/entertainment/buzz/exclusive-naya-rivera-step-up-high-water|access-date=2020-08-03|website=LATINA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715171640/http://www.latina.com/entertainment/buzz/exclusive-naya-rivera-step-up-high-water|archive-date=July 15, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=cosmospanish>{{cite web|date=2014-01-29|title=Naya Rivera is Cosmo For Latinas' Spring 2014 Cover Girl!|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/cosmo-latina/blog/naya-rivera-spring-2014|access-date=2020-08-08|website=Cosmopolitan|archive-date=2014-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701170713/http://www.cosmopolitan.com/cosmo-latina/blog/naya-rivera-spring-2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
In November 2016, Rivera filed for divorce after two years of marriage,<ref name="Divorce">{{cite web|url=http://people.com/celebrity/naya-rivera-ryan-dorsey-divorce/|title=Naya Rivera Divorce: Ryan Dorsey Marriage Ends After 2 Years|work=People|accessdate=November 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122061514/http://people.com/celebrity/naya-rivera-ryan-dorsey-divorce/|archive-date=November 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> but called off the separation in October 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://people.com/tv/naya-rivera-calls-off-divorce-ryan-dorsey/|title=Naya Rivera Calls Off Divorce from Husband Ryan Dorsey Nearly a Year After Split: Reports|first=Lindsay|last=Kimble|work=People|accessdate=October 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024205607/http://people.com/tv/naya-rivera-calls-off-divorce-ryan-dorsey/|archive-date=October 24, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Over Thanksgiving 2017, Rivera was arrested and charged in Kanawha County, West Virginia, with misdemeanor domestic battery against Dorsey after she allegedly hit him in the head during an altercation over their child,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/896242/naya-rivera-arrested-in-west-virginia|title=Naya Rivera Arrested for Domestic Battery in West Virginia|work=E! Online|date=26 November 2017 |accessdate=December 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210110510/http://www.eonline.com/news/896242/naya-rivera-arrested-in-west-virginia|archive-date=December 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and was picked up from the courthouse by Dorsey's father.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-42128435|title=Glee star Naya Rivera charged with domestic violence against her husband|work=BBC News|date=November 26, 2017|access-date=December 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214092408/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/42128435/glee-star-naya-rivera-charged-with-domestic-violence-against-her-husband|archive-date=December 14, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> She subsequently refiled for divorce in December 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/naya-rivera-refiles-for-divorce-from-ryan-dorsey-after-arres/|title=Naya Rivera Refiles for Divorce From Ryan Dorsey After Arrest|date=December 5, 2017|work=Us Weekly|accessdate=December 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206123100/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/naya-rivera-refiles-for-divorce-from-ryan-dorsey-after-arres/|archive-date=December 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and in January 2018 the domestic battery charge was dismissed at the request of Dorsey, who "notified both the prosecution and the defense counsel that he was no longer seeking prosecution and has confirmed he was never at any time injured by the conduct of Ms. Rivera."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://people.com/tv/naya-rivera-domestic-battery-charge-dismissed/|title=Naya Rivera's Domestic Battery Charge Has Been Dismissed|work=PEOPLE.com|access-date=January 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118012317/http://people.com/tv/naya-rivera-domestic-battery-charge-dismissed/|archive-date=January 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/naya-riveras-domestic-battery-charges-dropped-ryan-dorsey-no-longer-seeking-prosecution-94463|title=Naya Rivera's Domestic Battery Charges Dropped, Ryan Dorsey 'No Longer Seeking Prosecution'|last=Bueno|first=Antoinette|date=January 17, 2018|website=Entertainment Tonight|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200207223200/https://www.etonline.com/naya-riveras-domestic-battery-charges-dropped-ryan-dorsey-no-longer-seeking-prosecution-94463|archive-date=February 7, 2020|access-date=February 7, 2020}}</ref> On June 14, 2018, Rivera and Dorsey finalized their divorce,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.eonline.com/news/944367/naya-rivera-and-ryan-dorsey-finalize-their-divorce|title=Naya Rivera and Ryan Dorsey Finalize Their Divorce|publisher=E! News|date=June 14, 2018}}</ref> sharing joint custody of Josey, with both waiving rights to child support.<ref>{{cite web|title=Naya Rivera finalizes divorce from Ryan Dorsey|url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2018/06/15/Naya-Rivera-finalizes-divorce-from-Ryan-Dorsey/2491529079985/|access-date=2020-08-18|website=UPI|archive-date=2020-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830183622/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2018/06/15/Naya-Rivera-finalizes-divorce-from-Ryan-Dorsey/2491529079985/|url-status=live}}</ref> The joint custody agreement was modified in March 2020, giving Rivera primary custody while stipulating Dorsey "be afforded frequent and meaningful custodial contact."<ref>{{cite web|title=Naya Rivera & Ryan Dorsey Agreed to Joint Custody of Son Josey 3 Months Before She Disappeared|url=https://people.com/tv/naya-rivera-ex-ryan-dorsey-agreed-to-joint-custody-of-son-3-months-before-she-was-presumed-dead/|access-date=2020-08-18|website=PEOPLE.com|archive-date=2020-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728113836/https://people.com/tv/naya-rivera-ex-ryan-dorsey-agreed-to-joint-custody-of-son-3-months-before-she-was-presumed-dead/|url-status=live}}</ref> After Rivera's death in July 2020, Dorsey obtained sole custody.<ref>{{cite web|title=How Naya Rivera's Son Josey Is Coping One Month After His Mom's Death|url=https://www.etonline.com/how-naya-riveras-son-josey-is-coping-one-month-after-his-mothers-death-151233|access-date=2020-08-18|website=Entertainment Tonight|archive-date=2020-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818000320/https://www.etonline.com/how-naya-riveras-son-josey-is-coping-one-month-after-his-mothers-death-151233|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2020, he brought a wrongful death lawsuit regarding Rivera, on behalf of Josey.<ref name=bbclawsuit>{{cite news|date=November 19, 2020|title=Naya Rivera: Wrongful death lawsuit filed over Glee star's drowning|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-54998617|access-date=2020-11-19|archive-date=2020-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120000717/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54998617|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|4120006}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dorsey, Ryan}} Category:1983 births Category:Male actors from West Virginia Category:Living people Category:People from Chesapeake, West Virginia Category:21st-century American male actors Category:American male television actors