If you are a child of the 80's and grew up on a steady diet of “Mom and Pop” video stores, Garbage Pail Kids, Pizza Hut and USA Up All Night then it’s likely you’ve seen R.L. Ryan before. Ryan (also known as Bob Ryan, Robert L. Ryan or Pat Ryan, Jr.!) is most recognized for his role in the Troma Entertainment “clas-sick” The Toxic Avenger (1984) where he played the vile Mayor Belgoody.
Between bossing around his thugs Cigar Face, Nipples and Knuckles and eating gargantuan subway sandwiches, the Mayor plots to destroy “Toxie”, Tromaville’s superhero savior. A couple of years later, Ryan returned to Tromaville as the sloppy nuclear power plant owner, Mr. Paley, in Class of Nuke Em’ High (1986).
In both films, Ryan is perfectly cast as the ridiculous heavy (pun intended). He’s obscene, outrageous and outstanding! Only someone like R.L. Ryan can deliver a line like, “I don’t give a dry fart, get your ass in gear!”
The Troma-esque comedy, Eat and Run (1986) featured R.L. in what would be his only real starring role – that of Murray Creature, a man-eating extraterrestrial. The movie is goofy fun and Ryan is unforgettable...especially while dressed in an oversized Cub Scout uniform!
Sadly, most of R.L. Ryan’s screen appearances were very brief and his last big role onscreen was in 1987’s Street Trash where he played the lecherous owner of a junkyard – a wonderfully tasteless role that has to be seen to be believed!
Check out the R.L. Ryan (Bob Ryan) Facebook page where you can see various photos and memories posted by his friends and family.
