Ryan Paevey: From Soap Star To Hallmark Leading Man

One of the best perks of being a Hallmark Channel fan is not the Christmas cruise ship or even the annual Countdown to Christmas lineup, but the joy of tuning in to see your favorite actors season after season. The beloved network has done an excellent job of putting together a strong arsenal of leading men and women to tell romantic and uplifting stories all year long (but especially during the Christmas season). Ryan Paevey has become one of the friendly faces we love seeing each year and, since his 2016 Hallmark debut, has starred in a whopping 16 films for Crown Media.

Videos by Wide Open Country

"It's rare you can find a place like Hallmark that will consistently serve feel-good stuff," Paevey told TV Insider in 2022. "We get the accusation that it's a little repetitive. Powers that be know that. The fundamental storylines and equations are starting to change. Becoming more inclusive, embracing a broader range of content and subject matter to be more reflective of real life. The core of it is still the same. The stuff we have you should be able to smile a little wider after watching."

Before joining Hallmark, Ryan Paevey spent five years breaking hearts on ABC's "General Hospital." Why did he depart the soap opera space, and which Hallmark films has he been in lately? Here's what you need to know about the talented heartthrob.

Who Is Ryan Paevey?

Paevey grew up in Los Angeles and initially had no aspirations to enter the entertainment industry. He spent time working in construction with his father while he was growing up, but after getting scouted for modeling work, he decided to give it a try. Work with major brands followed, including Corona and Izod, as well as appearances in music videos for the likes of Robin Thicke and Christina Aguilera. As a result, Paevey decided to try his hand at acting.

Who Did He Play on "General Hospital"?

Outside of the Hallmark Channel, the main defining role of his career is Nathan West on the long-running soap opera "General Hospital." Paevey landed the role in 2013 and stayed on the series until 2018, when he decided it was time to move on. He didn't have much acting experience before joining "General," but thanks to some help from kind soap veterans on the series, he quickly learned the fast-paced ways of life on a daytime TV set. It actually seems like a natural transition to a network like Hallmark since Nathan West was known as Port Charles' resident good guy on the series, with a popular love story centered around longtime fan-favorite Maxie Jones (played by Kirsten Storms).

"I was ready to go, and I think 'GH' knew that," Paevey revealed to Soaps in Depth in 2018. "It was a completely amicable situation. I mean, I owe this show so much. When 'GH' gave me this job, I didn't even call myself an actor — I didn't even know if I wanted to be an actor. And as those of you who were watching back then know, it's been a journey. I've learned a lot!"

Outside of his career, Paevey prefers to keep his personal life private. You won't hear him opening up about his love life on social media or caught in the tabloids with a new flame. He keeps things professional, and quite honestly, we admire that.

What Hallmark Movies Has Ryan Paevey Been In?

After his first Hallmark movie, Paevey was hooked. He made his network debut in 2016's "Unleashing Mr. Darcy," and has appeared in multiple Hallmark flicks every year since. Some of his best turns include "A Fabled Holiday," "Two Tickets to Paradise," "Harvest Love," "Christmas at the Plaza," "A Timeless Christmas" and "A Summer Romance." As one of the network's most popular leading men, he's starred opposite numerous beloved Hallmark leading ladies, including Ashley Williams, Erin Krakow and Brooke D'Orsay.

When the former CEO of Crown Media moved on to make his own Hallmark-adjacent programming at rival Great American Family, many of the longtime Hallmark stars jumped ship for new opportunities. But Paevey was happy with his home at Hallmark. In fact, he signed an exclusive multi-picture deal with the network in 2022.

"Ryan is a consummate professional who always brings a special spark to the characters he plays, making him a favorite among our viewers," said Lisa Hamilton Daly, Executive Vice President of Programming at Crown Media Family Networks. "We're excited to extend our partnership with Ryan and can't wait to get started on his next project for us."

Paevey's most recent Hallmark flicks include the holiday romance "Under the Christmas Sky" (2023) and the autumn sports drama "Fourth Down and Love" (2023).

READ MORE: Married Hallmark Stars Alexa and Carlos PenaVega Met at Bible Study