Ryan Guzman

Ryan Guzman is an American actor and dancer. He is best known for his roles as Sean Asa in the dance film franchise Step Up Revolution (2012) and Step Up: All In (2014), and as firefighter Edmundo "Eddie" Diaz on the Fox procedural drama 9-1-1, a role that has become his most visible to date. His performances are noted for their physicality, stemming from his background in martial arts. Guzman has appeared in 13 films and over 100 television episodes. He brings a distinctive presence to his characters, navigating complex storylines and earning praise for his nuanced portrayals. Fans connect with his ability to balance high-profile franchise work with grounded television roles, showcasing a versatile acting career that continues to evolve.[edit]

Ryan Anthony Guzman was born on September 21, 1987, in Abilene, Texas, USA. His family, reflecting his biracial identity of Mexican and American heritage , moved to the Rosemont area of Sacramento, California, when he was three years old. There, he attended Sequoia Elementary and Einstein Middle School, later graduating from West Campus High School in 2005. He also pursued further education at Sierra College.

From a young age, Guzman displayed a remarkable physicality. He began martial arts at age seven, earning his first black belt in Tae Kwon Do by the age of ten. This discipline naturally led him into the world of mixed martial arts, where he competed as an MMA fighter in Sacramento until his license expired in 2010. His athletic prowess extended to baseball, where he was a gifted left-handed pitcher, known for a fastball clocked between 87 and 90 miles per hour. However, a shoulder injury during his teenage years tragically ended his aspirations in professional baseball.

At 18, Guzman embarked on a new path, moving to San Francisco to begin a career in print and commercial modeling with LOOK Modeling Agency. His journey as a struggling model continued as he later relocated to Los Angeles at 22, joining Wilhelmina Models. During this period, he gained attention for campaigns with major brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Reebok, and Calvin Klein's 2009 underwear line, alongside appearances in TV commercials for Old Navy and Gillette. It was a competitive instinct that ultimately propelled him into acting. As he recounted to the Los Angeles Times, he observed fellow models and aspiring actors, remarking, "I saw these people who were coming out to do modeling and acting and they were all snobbish. I looked at them and I thought, 'You have the IQ of an ant. How are you successful?'" This challenge, fueled by his inherent drive, marked his pivot towards an acting career , which soon led to his breakthrough.[edit]

Guzman's breakthrough came in 2012 when he landed the lead role of Sean Asa in Step Up Revolution, the fourth installment of the dance film franchise. Despite having no formal dance training, he went through four acting auditions and six dance auditions to secure the part. He later said, "My first dance lesson was Step Up Revolution." He reprised the role in Step Up: All In (2014).

In 2015, Guzman starred opposite Jennifer Lopez in the psychological thriller The Boy Next Door, directed by Rob Cohen. That same year, he joined NBC's Heroes Reborn as a series regular. In 2016, he appeared in Richard Linklater's Everybody Wants Some!! and landed a leading TV role in ABC's Notorious alongside Piper Perabo. He also had a recurring role on Pretty Little Liars.

In 2017, Guzman joined the cast of Fox's procedural drama 9-1-1 as firefighter Edmundo "Eddie" Diaz, a role he described as "divine intervention" because he received the call just as he learned his first child was about to be born. The show moved to ABC and became the number one drama in primetime for adults 18-49. Guzman has continued as a series regular through its ninth season, with a tenth season renewed. In 2024, he starred in the comedy The Present. Upcoming projects include the thriller Midnight alongside Rosario Dawson, Milla Jovovich, and Alexandra Shipp. [edit]

Guzman is known for bringing physicality to his roles, stemming from his background in martial arts and MMA. On 9-1-1, his character Eddie Diaz has dealt with trauma, fatherhood, and same-sex attraction, earning Guzman praise for handling sensitive storylines with nuance. He is a vocal advocate for the Latino community and has spoken about his biracial identity. Media portrays him as a dynamic, disciplined performer who transitioned from MMA fighter to dancer to dramatic actor. Fans appreciate his authenticity and the depth he brings to Eddie Diaz, making him a fan favorite on the show. [edit]

Ryan Guzman's cultural footprint is defined less by a singular, branded fanbase and more by his integration into the massive *9-1-1* community. His audience rallies primarily around his character, Eddie Diaz, with the most vocal faction organized as "Buddie" shippers who champion the romantic dynamic between Eddie and Buck. This group has evolved from casual viewership to a powerful narrative force, pressuring writers to address Eddie's romantic life and influencing storylines through intense social media engagement. Guzman interacts directly with this energy, often acknowledging the shipping culture in interviews and teasing future developments for his character's love life. The actor's personal legend also anchors his fame: the verified transition from MMA fighter to Calvin Klein model to Hollywood lead serves as a foundational mythos that fans celebrate. While he maintains a strong individual presence on Instagram, his influence remains tethered to the ensemble cast and the specific lore of the firehouse drama. Despite this dedicated following, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Ryan Guzman but he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list).[edit]

Before landing his breakout role in *Step Up Revolution*, Guzman had no formal dance training yet mastered complex choreography within weeks. His path to acting was ignited by childhood screenings of Bruce Lee films shown by his father. In *The Boy Next Door*, he ad-libbed the line "I love your mother's cookies" opposite Jennifer Lopez. He attended the 72nd Golden Globe Awards in 2015 with Lopez as his date. For 14 to 15 years into his career, Guzman battled imposter syndrome before finally feeling secure in his work. A cousin served six military tours, fueling Guzman's long-standing interest in military culture. Fans still retell the story of his athletic background as a key factor in his casting, while recent lore focuses on the "Buddie" phenomenon where audiences demand Eddie Diaz find romance.[edit]

Guzman is the son of Ramón Guzmán Jr., an immigrant from Mexico, and Lisa Anne Hudson, a Californian of English, German, French, Dutch, and Swedish ancestry. He has a younger brother named Steven. The family moved to Sacramento when Ryan was about three. He has two children with his former partner Chrysti Ane: a daughter, Genevieve Valentina Guzman, and a second child. Guzman has spoken about becoming a father just as he landed the 9-1-1 role, calling it a blessing. He currently resides in Los Angeles. [edit]

Guzman has worked with Jennifer Lopez in The Boy Next Door, Briana Evigan in Step Up: All In, Kathryn McCormick in Step Up Revolution, and Piper Perabo in Notorious. He was directed by Richard Linklater in Everybody Wants Some!!. Upcoming co-stars include Rosario Dawson, Milla Jovovich, and Alexandra Shipp in Midnight. [edit]

Guzman was in a long-term relationship with Chrysti Ane from 2018 to 2024. They have two children together: a daughter, Genevieve Valentina Guzman, and a second child. The couple married and later divorced. As of 2026, Guzman is reportedly single, with no new public relationships confirmed. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Ryan Guzman's net worth stands at $4 Million as of 2026. This financial standing is driven primarily by his tenure as series regular Edmundo "Eddie" Diaz on ABC's 9-1-1, a role he has held since 2017. Additional revenue streams include his film portfolio, which features the Step Up franchise, The Boy Next Door, and Everybody Wants Some!!. Earlier in his career, modeling contracts with Calvin Klein, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Reebok provided significant income. His wealth has grown steadily as 9-1-1 solidified its position as a top-rated drama.[edit]

Guzman received the Horizon Award from the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts in 2017 for his advocacy for the Latino community. The city of Sacramento proclaimed May 15, 2019 as Ryan Guzman Day. [edit]