Bio

Bruce Ryan is the most prolific designer of specials in the history of television. As an innovative leader in production design, Bruce is widely regarded as the most versatile of designers. He has the distinction of being involved in more productions for HBO, than any other individual creative artist.

Ryan has to his credit hundreds of television productions, including award shows from the Emmys to the MTV Awards and sitcoms from It’s Garry Shandling’s Show to Will & Grace. He has designed music specials for Cher, Celine Dion and Whitney Houston and stand-up comedy for George Carlin, Dave Chapelle, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart and Robin Williams.
(See Selected Credits)

Bruce's corporate clients and gala designs include ABC, Arista Records, ASCAP, TBS, Sports Illustrated, Glamour, GQ, American Film Institute, Pepsi, and the HBO Comedy Festivals in Aspen and Las Vegas.

On the New York stage, he designed the Tony-winning Def Poetry Jam on Broadway as well as television productions in the Shubert, the Nederlander and over a dozen productions at Radio City Music Hall. He has also designed several feature films.

A native Californian, Bruce graduated from Berkeley High School, received his BA from San Francisco State University and his MFA from UCLA, where he has often lectured. The Idyllwild Arts Academy has been a great interest throughout Bruce’s professional life. He has been deeply involved in the Film Department's creation and new facilities development.  The Academy honored him by naming their film studio “The Bruce Ryan Sound Stage.”