A native of Douglas, Cork City, Ireland. Graduated from the 2 year full-time comprehensive training programme in acting at Kinsale College, Co.Cork. John also trained under Hollywood’s top acting coach, Margie Haber of Margie Haber Studios, Los Angeles, in Screen Acting. Most recently he studied under IFTA award winning director Terry McMahon in Dublin.

John has performed leading roles in over 30 short films ranging from horror to comedy. Most recently he played the lead role of ‘Breffni’ in the horror short ‘Moonshine’ directed by award-winning film-maker Jason Keane.

Theatre highlights include Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, directed by Cal Duggan, for Kinsale Arts Week. John played the leading role of ‘Lord Henry’ for which he received critical acclaim. Alannah Hopkin, theatre critic for The Irish Times, said, ”the talent and subtlety of John Ryan Howard was especially impressive.”

In 2016 John won the leading role of ‘Ger’ in the feature length horror movie ‘Beyond The Woods’ directed by award-winning director Sean Breathnach. After screening at some of the world’s biggest film festivals ‘Beyond The Woods’ won two best feature awards and picked up a National Film Award nomination in London. Following general release ‘Beyond The Woods’ was recommended in Empire magazine by legendary film critic Kim Newman who said ”Beyond The Woods really works. An excellent cast of unfamiliar (but plainly professional) Irish actors manage to convey a complicated set of interrelationships in the group which keep everyone off-balance even before the scare stuff starts.” John was also singled out for his performance in ‘Beyond The Woods’ by film critics. Philip Rogers said ”John Ryan Howard stood out for me.” Starburst magazine’s Rich Cross said ”John Ryan Howard as the emotionally wounded Ger stands out.”

In 2021, John’s second feature film – Gateway – directed by IFTA nominated director Niall Owens will be released. .