Life before pool houses, Range Rovers and Giorgio Armani, Ryan Atwood lived in Chino, California. In Chino, having a dream doesn’t make you smart, knowing that dream won’t come true, will. Ryan delt with many extreme experiences, such stealing cars, family problems, cracking under the pressure of others, and many others. But luckily for Ryan, things were looking up for him.

Eventually the Cohen’s, a nice gentry family of the upper class of Newport, took Ryan into their home. Even though Seth, Sandy, and Kirsten can be a lot to take on, Ryan appreciates the life that he has gained. Ryan, living in the pool house, had a job and worked for quite some time. But, Ryan has many nice clothes provided for him, nice parties to attend to, and goes to private school.

Ryan has a very unique personality that is much different than Seth’s. He is a straight forward, honest, tough guy. But, Ryan can also be a little shy. He isn’t very talkative, and gives various looks that are very detailed. Ryan only talks when it counts, though. Since living in Chino, Ryan is a very protective person. Being that way, it could be a good thing, but it could also be a bad thing. But one thing is for sure, being protective will most likely bring him into trouble.

Since Ryan has been living in Newport, he of course, has been involved with numerous amounts of girls. When he first started living in Newport, he fell in love instantly with Marissa Cooper, literally the girl next door. Eventually, after Marissa broke up with her long time boyfriend, Luke, Marissa and Ryan hooked up. The couple has been off and on, Ryan has dated other girls. When Ryan and Marissa broke up for the first time, Ryan had a fling with his old girlfriend from Chino, Theresa. A few weeks later, Ryan and Marissa got back together, to find that Theresa was pregnant, and the baby might not have been her fiancée’s, Eddie. Also, Ryan dated a girl named Lindsay, who was like him in so many ways. But, yet again, Marissa and Ryan got back together again. Most likely, in the end, Marissa and Ryan will be together, ultimately.

Ryan and Seth aren’t just brothers, they are best friends. Ryan and Seth talk about anything and everything. But usually, Seth does all the talking, mostly about himself. They do everything together. Ryan and Seth even refer to each other as the brawn and the brain. Of course, Ryan is the brawn and Seth is the brain. The two have a very special relationship and will be best friends forever.

Benjamin McKenzie plays the main character of Ryan Atwood, on the hit show; The O.C. Ben was born on September 12^th, 1978. He was born and raised in Texas. Benjamin attended the University of Virginia majoring in Foreign Affairs and Economics. After he graduated, he moved to New York to pursue his love for acting. He starred in many Off Broadway plays before landing the roll of Ryan.