Former rugby league professional turned media personality Beau Ryan has officially announced his Hollywood arrival, confirming he will feature in the upcoming animated film The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.
From Rugby Field to Recording Studio
The 40-year-old former Wests Tigers player revealed he voices the character Coach Tuna, who appears alongside Squidward Tentacles in the Australian version of the film. Ryan admitted during his Triple M Breakfast show that keeping the exciting news confidential proved particularly challenging, especially after telling his son about the role.
'I'm NDA'd up to my eyeballs,' the ex-NRL star confessed, referring to the non-disclosure agreements preventing him from discussing the project. He described his animated character as 'a big tuna, but he looks like a shark' who serves as Squidward's coach and remains 'very hard on him' throughout their scenes together.
A Brief But Memorable Role
Ryan tempered expectations about his screen time, revealing to his radio co-hosts that he only has two lines in the movie, amounting to what he humorously described as 'about 30 seconds of fame.' Despite the brief appearance, the role marks a significant milestone in his post-sports career.
The film is scheduled for release in Australian cinemas on Boxing Day, introducing Ryan's character to audiences familiar with the beloved American animated series about a sea sponge living in a pineapple under the sea.
Building a Media Career
Since retiring from the NRL in 2014 due to a persistent neck injury, Ryan has steadily built his entertainment profile. His career transition includes:
- Hosting Channel 10's The Amazing Race Australia in 2019
- Appearing as a contestant on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2022
- Co-hosting Gladiators Australia
- Joining Triple M Breakfast in January
The married father of two previously faced personal challenges when news emerged about his involvement with former Hi-5 performer Lauren Brant, who was engaged at the time. Ryan addressed the affair allegations publicly on the NRL Footy Show, apologising to 'all the people who have been hurt' and acknowledging the difficulty it caused his family and everyone involved.
Despite past controversies, Ryan's latest achievement represents a significant professional milestone as he expands his career from sports entertainment to Hollywood animation.
