Ryan Grantham: From 'Riverdale' Star to Life in Prison
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Ryan Grantham, a former Canadian actor born in 1998, gained recognition for his roles in productions like "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "Riverdale" before his acting career came to an abrupt end when he was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his mother in 2020.

 

Grantham's Early Life and Background

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Ryan Grantham was born on November 30, 1998, in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
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He grew up in an environment that nurtured his interest in performing arts, as his mother was a stage actress and his father was a professional magician
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This early exposure to the entertainment industry likely influenced his decision to pursue acting at a young age. Grantham's formal education included attending Simon Fraser University in British Columbia
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However, his academic pursuits were interspersed with his growing acting career, which began when he was just nine years old
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Despite his early success in the film and television industry, Grantham reportedly struggled with mental health issues and substance abuse in his late teens and early twenties, which would later play a significant role in the tragic turn his life took
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Breakthrough Role and Recognition

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Ryan Grantham's breakthrough in the entertainment industry came with his role as Rodney James in the 2010 film adaptation of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"
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This performance brought him widespread recognition and opened doors to more significant opportunities in both film and television. Following his success in "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," Grantham continued to build his reputation with critically acclaimed performances in independent productions. His role in the Canadian television drama "The Pig War" earned him praise from critics for his natural acting abilities and emotional depth
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Grantham's versatility as an actor was further demonstrated when he won a Leo Award for Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Motion Picture for his role as Max in the Canadian film "The Candidate"
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These achievements solidified his status as a rising talent in the Canadian film industry and paved the way for his later appearances in popular TV series like "Riverdale" and "Supernatural"
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Ryan Grantham (Photos)

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Murder of Barbara Waite

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On March 31, 2020, Ryan Grantham committed a shocking act of violence that would forever alter his life and the lives of his family members. The former actor fatally shot his 64-year-old mother, Barbara Waite, in the back of the head as she played piano in their Squamish townhouse
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In the aftermath of the murder, Grantham's actions revealed a disturbing state of mind:
  • He recorded a video confession on a GoPro camera, showing his mother's body
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  • The next day, he covered the body with a sheet, arranged lit candles around it, and hung a rosary from the piano
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  • He then loaded his car with guns, ammunition, and Molotov cocktails, intending to drive to Ottawa to assassinate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
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  • Grantham ultimately turned himself in to Vancouver police before carrying out any further violence
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During his sentencing, psychiatric reports indicated that Grantham had been experiencing an "intense period of clinical depression" and was "experiencing urges to commit violence and kill himself" in the months leading up to the crime
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The court also heard that Grantham had been heavily using cannabis and watching violent videos on the dark web, contributing to his deteriorating mental state
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Ryan Grantham (Interviews)

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What's Next for Riverdale Actor Ryan Grantham After Prison Sentence
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Ryan Grantham's Trial and Sentencing

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Ryan Grantham's trial for the murder of his mother began in June 2022 in the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, which carries an automatic life sentence in Canada
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Key details from the trial include:
  • Prosecutors revealed Grantham had rehearsed the killing, filming "walk-through" videos approaching his mother with a gun
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  • Psychiatric reports indicated Grantham was experiencing severe depression and had homicidal and suicidal urges in the months before the murder
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  • The court heard Grantham killed his mother to "spare her" from witnessing the violence he had planned to commit afterwards
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  • Grantham's sister Lisa provided a victim impact statement, describing her mother as her "best friend" and expressing fear of her brother's potential release
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Justice Kathleen Ker sentenced Grantham to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 14 years, citing the actor's mental health struggles and his decision to turn himself in as mitigating factors
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The judge also recommended Grantham not be sent to a maximum security prison due to his "diminutive" size
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Related
What were the details of Ryan Grantham's downward spiral before the murder
How did Ryan Grantham's mental health issues affect his behavior leading up to the crime
What was the nature of the psychiatric help Ryan Grantham received in prison
How did Ryan Grantham's plans to kill Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unfold
What were the specific reasons Justice Kathleen Ker considered as mitigating circumstances
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