Ricky Whittle
An English actor who transitioned from soap opera heartthrob to an American genre television star, commanding roles in expansive sci-fi and fantasy worlds.
Born 1979 (age 47)·English actor·Birthday: December 31·Generation X
Biography
Ricky Whittle's career is a story of successful transatlantic reinvention. He first entered the British public consciousness not as an actor, but as a model and a finalist on the reality show 'Strictly Come Dancing,' where his charm was undeniable. He then solidified his UK fame playing Calvin Valentine on the long-running soap 'Hollyoaks.' But Whittle had his sights set on more. His deliberate pivot to American television was a gamble that paid off. After landing guest roles, he broke through as the stoic Grounder Lincoln in the CW's dystopian drama 'The 100,' a role that introduced him to a global fanbase. This paved the way for his most significant part: leading the cast of Starz's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's 'American Gods' as Shadow Moon. In that role, he carried the weight of a sprawling, metaphysical narrative, proving his ability to anchor a major series and transforming him from a familiar face into a central figure in premium cable fantasy.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Ricky was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ricky Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Ricky's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Landed the lead role of Shadow Moon in the Starz television adaptation of Neil Gaiman's 'American Gods'.
- Played the recurring role of Lincoln on The CW's popular post-apocalyptic series 'The 100' for three seasons.
- Finished as the runner-up in the seventh series of the BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing' in 2009.
Did You Know?
Before acting, he was a successful model and was the face of a major Reebok advertising campaign.
He played professional football (soccer) in England's youth leagues for teams like Glasgow Celtic and Tranmere Rovers.
His mother is of Jamaican descent, and he has spoken about the importance of diverse representation in his casting.
“I'm not here to be the best-looking guy in the room; I'm here to do the work.”
