Ryan Cooley

Last updated
Ryan Cooley
Ryan Cooley 2007.jpg
Cooley in 2007
Born
Ryan Hadison Cooley

(1988-05-18) May 18, 1988 (age 37)
Alma mater University of Toronto
Occupation(s) Actor, consultant
Years active1998–2015

Ryan Hadison Cooley (born May 18, 1988) is a Canadian [1] consultant and former actor. He is best known for his role as James Tiberius "J.T." Yorke on Degrassi: The Next Generation which he starred in from 2001 until 2007.

Contents

He is currently the Vice President of Konrad Group, a digitial agency that creates apps and products. [2]

Early life

Cooley was born in Orangeville, Ontario to Charles Cooley, a drummer. [3]

Career

Prior to joining the Degrassi cast, he had a two-year run as Pleskit, the alien lead in the television series I Was a Sixth Grade Alien . Cooley's other television credits include the series, Are You Afraid of the Dark? , Queer as Folk , Lexx: The Series and Life with Derek . He has also appeared in the features Sachsenhausen 1944, Toy Men, Disney Channel film The Color of Friendship , the Animal Planet film Cybermutt and CBC television film Happy Christmas Miss King alongside his Degrassi co-star Lauren Collins. [2]

In 2001, Cooley began appearing on Degrassi: The Next Generation as a regular character in the first season of the show and continued until his character's death in 2007, the show’s sixth season. [4] [5] In 2002, Cooley was nominated for a Young Artist Award (LA) for Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series for the show.

Cooley has also appeared in the 2007 film The Tracey Fragments with Elliot Page. [a] [6]

In 2012, Cooley guest starred in a YouTube miniseries Millie and Midge, in episodes 2 and 4 as Parker.

Cooley was to appear in former co-star Drake's 2018 music video for the single "I'm Upset," however he declined due to believing it was a scam. The video was set around a Degrassi reunion. [7]

Personal life

Following his departure from Degrassi, Cooley took a break from acting and attended the University of Toronto where he studied theatre. [8] [5]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998AfterJohnathan MadisonShort film
Happy Christmas, Miss King Daniel KingTelevision film
2000 The Color of Friendship BillyTelevision film
2003 Cybermutt NinoTelevision film
2005God's GoodnessMikeShort film
2007 The Tracey Fragments David Goldberg

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1999Real Kids, Real AdventuresBud TooleEpisode: "Amy to the Rescue: The Amy Toole Story"
1999–2001 I Was a Sixth Grade Alien PleskitMain role
2000 Are You Afraid of the Dark? Waif Kid3 episodes
2001 Queer as Folk Hank CameronSupporting role
2001 Lexx Digby3 episodes
2001–2007 Degrassi: The Next Generation J.T. Yorke Main cast
2005 Life with Derek FrankEpisode: "The Poxfather"
2010 The Dating Guy Booyah's sonVoice, episode: "Weekend at Booyah's"
2012 Lost Girl Website OwnerEpisode: "Midnight Lamp"
2013–2015 Oh No! It's an Alien Invasion LouisVoice, main cast
2014 BeyWarriors: BeyRaiderz Task LandauVoice, main cast

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef.
2002 Young Artist Awards Best Ensemble in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) Degrassi: The Next Generation Won [9]
Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series - Leading Young ActorNominated [9]
2003Best Ensemble in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama)Nominated [10]
2005Outstanding Young Performers in a TV SeriesNominated [11]
2006Best Young Ensemble in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama)Nominated [12]

Notes

  1. Credited as Ellen Page

References

  1. "Ryan Cooley - Overview". Allmovie . Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  2. 1 2 Fuentes, Tamara (2018-06-15). "This Is What the "Degrassi: The Next Generation" Cast Looks Like Now". Seventeen. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  3. "Charlie Cooley is one of Canada's most in-demand drummers". Charlie Cooley. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  4. Sunderland, Mitchell (2017-04-26). "Viagra, Murder, and Other Problems Teens Only Faced on Degrassi". Vice. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  5. 1 2 "Exclusive Interview: Degrassi's Ryan Cooley Talks About the Death of J.T." The TV Addict. 2007-01-18. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  6. Ness, Caro (12 Nov 2008). "The Tracey Fragments (2007) Movie Review from Eye for Film". www.eyeforfilm.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  7. Agard, Chancellor (14 June 2018). "Drake addresses why J.T. wasn't in his 'Degrassi' reunion video for 'I'm Upset'". EW.com. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  8. Zhu, Danielle (17 Feb 2023). "'Degrassi' cast: Where are they now?". EW.com. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  9. 1 2 "Young Artist Awards (2002)". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  10. "Young Artist Awards (2003)". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  11. "Young Artist Awards (2005)". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  12. "Young Artist Awards (2006)". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-04-08.