Ryan Kwanten, 36, may be best known to American audiences for his many nude scenes as Jason Stackhouse on the HBO series True Blood, based on the Southern Vampire book series by author Charlaine Harris, but the actor had a long career growing up Down Under before arriving Stateside.

Kwanten began his acting while attending Sydney University, where he earned a degree in business. He first garnered attention when he portrayed lifeguard Vinnie Patterson on the Australian television series Home and Away. His film credits include Red Hill, Griff the Invisible and Don’t Fade Away. Kwanten also wrote a book satirizing self-help advisors in The G Strategy, published in 2010. In his spare time, the actor is a licensed yoga instructor and competed in the world biathlon in Sweden in 2006 and 2007 in Italy.

But Kwanten will always be best known for his buff bod on full display in his frequent nude scenes on True Blood. “It’s always confronting when you walk into your wardrobe trailer and you just see just a modesty patch hanging from the coat hanger instead of a whole array of clothes,” Kwanten told Uinterview exclusively. “But with Jason, it was always story points. I never feel like I was exposing myself to the masses. It was always justified.”

For more on Ryan Kwanten and True Blood:

Ryan Kwanten Helps Injured Man

Ryan Kwanten Likes Drunk Triathalons

Ryan Kwanten Shoots ‘True Blood’ In L.A.

‘True Blood’ Star Ryan Kwanten Denies Nude Photo

EXCLUSIVE: Kristin Bauer van Straten On ‘True Blood’ Season 5

EXCLUSIVE: Alexander Skarsgard on ‘True Blood’

Read more about:

12 Comments

  • Erin
    Erin on

    Great interview! I love the format! Ryan seems so down to earth!

  • Michelle
    Michelle on

    I absolutely love Ryan. He’s adorable and always seems so sweet, well spoken and almost a little shy when he’s interviewed, none of that macho full of one’s self quality that so many actors seem to have.

  • Deb
    Deb on

    Definitely want to see more of Ryan in other things. More nude scenes in True Blood, keep em coming!!

  • stacie
    stacie on

    Just saw the newest episode of Law and Order SVU if you like Ryan Kwanten check out this episode…he does a great job in a very different role!

  • Carole Gibb
    Carole Gibb on

    Just wanted to let you know my daughter age 27 and myself age 61 absolutely love “True Blood”. Heaven forbid they take it off the air. Want to see more of the great story lines and love the acting seems so effortless. Way to go and keep up the great work!!!!

  • elizabeth
    elizabeth on

    hi rayn my name is elizabeth williams from ohio
    do u have a favtote pate in the movie

  • Helen Martin
    Helen Martin on

    Hello–My name is Helen Martin—My question is for Stephen Moyer—I would like to know how he mastered the southern accent for the character of Bill Compton–I lived in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina and feel that a Mr. Compton would blend in with the Louisiana culture of today. Good Work!!!!

  • SANDY
    SANDY on

    WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD SOMEONE WANT THIS GUY TO DO NUDE SCENES?
    ARE THERE JUST NO BOUNDARIES BETWEEN ACTORS, ACTRESSES AND THEIR FANS?
    IN THE PAST, MANY PEOPLE, EVEN THE BEST OF MAGAZINES, VOTED CERTAIN ACTORS THE SEXIEST MEN ALIVE.
    SOME OF THESE ACTORS ARE:

    BURT REYNOLDS (REDICULOUS)
    BILLY RAY CYRUS (REDICULOUS)
    THE GUY WHO PLAYED MAGNUM P.I. (TOTALLY REDICULOUS)
    TO NAME A FEW.

    HAVE YOU REALLY HAD A GOOD LOOK AT SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS?

    MAKES ONE WONDER IF WOMEN JUST FIND THEM SEXY, BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD A LONG TIME FANTASY BEING RAPED BY A WILD BEAR OR A MOUNTAIN MAN.

    WHAT MAY BE SEXY FOR SOME OF THESE WOMEN, WHO EVIDENTLY HAVE SOME ISSUES OF WHAT GOOD-LOOKING IS OR IS NOT, IS NOT AT ALL SEXY FOR THE MAJORITY OF US.

    I ALWAYS SAY, BEFORE YOU MARRY AN INDIVIDUAL, WHETHER THEY BE MALE OR FEMALE, SLEEP WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL FIRST AND FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, LOOK AT THAT INDIVIDUAL WHEN THEY FIRST WAKE UP AND IF THEY STILL LOOK REALLY HOT AND HANDSOME OR HOT AND PRETTY TO YOU, THEN MARRY THEM. IF THEY DONT, THEN WHAT IN THE HELL DO YOU SEE IN THEM?

  • Linda
    Linda on

    He’s so sexy! Love the interview!

  • brenda
    brenda on

    HOW DO YOU LIKE THE WEATHER IN LOUISANA

  • Sarah
    Sarah on

    I love Ryan. And this video only makes me love him more! That accent!

  • Shannon Carter
    Shannon Carter on

    How do you like playing the role of Jason? It seems fun and very diffrent:)

Leave a comment

Subscribe to the uInterview newsletter