Born in Cincinnati, Ohio Mitchell Ryan was raised in Louisville, Kentucky, joined the Navy in 1951 and became hooked on acting while assigned to Special Services Entertainment. His film debut was the uncredited role of Jed Moultrie in the 1958 film Thunder Road. Appearances in various series such as Brenner, 'Way Out, and Naked City led to being cast as Burke Devlin, an original cast member in Dark Shadows.
Mitchell Ryan died of congestive heart failure at age 88.