Who is Ryan Grantham?
Ryan Grantham is a former Canadian actor best known for his roles in Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Riverdale, and Supernatural. He began acting at age nine and built a promising career in film and television. However, his life took a tragic turn in 2020 when he was convicted of murdering his mother, Barbara Waite. He is currently serving a life sentence in prison.
Ryan Grantham Biography
Ryan Grantham is a former Canadian actor whose early promise in film and television was overshadowed by a tragic criminal case that ended his career. Born on November 30, 1998, in Squamish, British Columbia, Grantham began acting at the age of nine and quickly rose to prominence in Canadian and American productions.
Early Acting Career
Grantham’s debut came in 2007 with the TV movie The Secret of the Nutcracker, where he played Billy. His natural charisma and emotional depth made him a standout child actor. Over the years, he appeared in several notable projects:
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010) – Played Rodney James, a memorable supporting character.
- The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) – Portrayed Little Anton.
- Supernatural (2008–2015) – Appeared in two episodes as Todd and Hunter Boy #1.
- Riverdale (2019) – Guest-starred as Jeffery Augustine, the character responsible for Fred Andrews’ death.
- Considering Love and Other Magic (2016) – Played Tommy in a coming-of-age fantasy drama.
Grantham also had roles in iZombie, Barricade, Becoming Redwood, and Perfect High. His performances earned him nominations and recognition in Canadian entertainment circles.
Education and Personal Life
Ryan attended Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, where he studied part-time. Reports suggest he struggled with mental health issues and academic pressure, which contributed to his eventual breakdown.
He was raised in a Christian household by his mother, Barbara Waite, and has one sister, Lisa Grantham. His father’s identity remains undisclosed.
Criminal Conviction
On March 31, 2020, Ryan Grantham committed a shocking crime: he shot and killed his mother while she was playing the piano. He later confessed to the murder and turned himself in to Vancouver police. During the investigation, it was revealed that Grantham had also planned to assassinate Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau but abandoned the plan.
In June 2022, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, receiving a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 14 years. His lawyer cited mental illness as a contributing factor.
Career Fallout
Following his conviction, Grantham’s acting career came to a halt. His name was removed from promotional materials, and his social media presence disappeared. He is currently incarcerated in a Canadian correctional facility.
Ryan Grantham Family
Ryan was born into a Christian household. His mother, Barbara Waite, was a supportive figure in his early career. He has one sister, Lisa Grantham, who discovered their mother’s body after the murder. His father’s identity remains undisclosed, though some sources describe him as a private individual who distanced himself from the public eye.
Ryan Grantham Wife
Ryan Grantham is not married. There are no public records or credible sources indicating that he has ever had a spouse.
Ryan Grantham Girlfriend
Before his conviction, Ryan Grantham was reportedly single. He kept his romantic life private, and there are no confirmed relationships or public appearances with a girlfriend. Some sources suggest he may have dated casually, but no names have been disclosed.
Ryan Grantham Age
Grantham is currently 26 years old. He was born on November 30, 1998, in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada. His age aligns with his early start in acting—he began performing professionally at just nine years old.
Ryan Grantham Ethnicity
Ryan Grantham is of Canadian-white ethnicity. He was born and raised in Squamish, British Columbia, and comes from a Christian Canadian family. His ethnic background is commonly described as White/Caucasian, reflecting European ancestry typical of many Canadians.
Ryan Grantham Birthday
- Birthday: November 30, 1998
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius (Western astrology)
- Chinese Zodiac: Tiger
Ryan Grantham Parents
Grantham was born to Barbara Waite and an unnamed father in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada. His family background has come under intense public scrutiny due to the tragic events surrounding his mother’s death.
Mother: Barbara Waite
Barbara Waite was a devoted and supportive parent who played a central role in Ryan’s upbringing and early acting career. She was tragically murdered by Ryan on March 31, 2020, in their home while playing the piano. Court documents revealed that Ryan had rehearsed the act and later confessed to the crime on video. He claimed he wanted to spare her from witnessing further violence he had contemplated.
Father: Name Undisclosed
Ryan’s father’s identity has not been publicly confirmed. Reports suggest he left the family during Ryan’s early years, leaving Barbara to raise Ryan and his sister, Lisa Grantham, on her own.
Ryan’s relationship with his parents, particularly his mother, was described as close prior to the crime. The murder was labeled a “heartbreaking breach of trust” by prosecutors during sentencing.
Ryan Grantham Height
Ryan Grantham stands at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters). Some sources list him slightly shorter or taller, but this is the most commonly reported height.
Ryan Grantham Education
Ryan attended a local elementary school in Squamish, British Columbia. He later enrolled at Simon Fraser University, where he studied part-time. Reports suggest he struggled academically and eventually stopped attending classes, which contributed to his mental health decline.
Ryan Grantham Birth Sign
Ryan Grantham’s astrological birth sign is Sagittarius, based on his birthdate of November 30, 1998. Sagittarius is associated with creativity, exploration, and emotional intensity—traits that aligned with his early acting career.
Ryan Grantham Instagram
As of 2025, Ryan Grantham does not have an active Instagram account. Following his conviction, any previous social media presence was either deleted or made private. There are no verified public profiles associated with him.
Ryan Grantham Nationality
Grantham is Canadian . He was born and raised in Squamish, British Columbia, and spent most of his early life and acting career in Canada. His nationality has been consistently listed as Canadian across multiple sources.
Ryan Grantham Supernatural
Grantham appeared in two episodes of Supernatural:
- Season 4, Episode 8 – “Wishful Thinking”
- Role: Todd, a bullied child whose wish for strength becomes dangerously real due to a magical spell.
- Season 11, Episode 1 – “Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire”
- Role: Young Hunter, part of the Darkness storyline.
Ryan Grantham Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Secret of the Nutcracker | Billy | TV Movie |
| 2008 | Jumper | Young David | Film |
| 2009 | The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus | Little Anton | Film |
| 2010 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid | Rodney James | Film |
| 2012 | Barricade | Jake Shade | Film |
| 2012 | Becoming Redwood | Redwood | Film |
| 2012 | The 12 Disasters of Christmas | Peter | TV Movie |
| 2013 | The Carpenter’s Miracle | Luke Quinn | TV Movie |
| 2014 | Way of the Wicked | Young Robbie | Film |
| 2015 | Perfect High | Robbie Walker | TV Movie |
| 2015 | iZombie | Full Auto | TV Episode |
| 2016 | Considering Love and Other Magic | Tommy | Film |
| 2019 | Riverdale | Jeffery | TV Episode |
| 2019 | Undercover Cheerleader | Max | TV Movie |
| 2019 | Unspeakable | Andy Girard | TV Episode |