Ryan Pinkston was born on February 8, 1988 in Silver Spring, Maryland to parents Linda and Mark. He studied karate from age 4 and by 9 had earned his second degree in Wushu and first degree in Tae Kwon Do. He holds World Titles in the United States, France, Canada, and Central America, including Individual Grand Champions and Synchronized Teams with his team partner, Anthony Atkins. Ryan began auditioning in 2002 after receiving a call from a talent agent who saw him on "The Most Talented Kids" episode on the Jenny Jones Show. Within a month, he had a starring role in Spy Kids 3-D and was pulling pranks on unsuspecting celebrities on the first season of Punk'd. Although the next few years were busy, Ryan was adamant about staying in Maryland and finishing school with his friends. He moved to LA a month after his high-school graduation.