Jack Ryan (full name John Patrick Ryan) is a fictional character invented by Tom Clancy and appearing in most of his novels. As background, the novels say that Ryan is a former marine lieutenant who left the service after a helicopter accident. He also briefly worked as a stockbroker, a job he was successful at although had little interest in. Ryan chose to become an author and history teacher at the United States Naval Academy. He also began working as a CIA analyst in the early books of the series (Sum of All Fears) as an expert on the Soviet political bureau. As the series progresses, he helps a Soviet missle submarine captain defect The Hunt For Red October and eventually progresses to positions such as National Security Advisor and Deputy Director of the CIA. In Debt of Honor, Ryan was named as Vice President of the United States after the incumbent resigned. He later became President after a terrorist attack.
Ryan married Caroline (Cathy) Muller, a prominent surgeon. The couple have three children: Olivia (Sally), John (Jack Junior), and Katie. Ryan was invested as a Knight Commander of the Victorian Order by Queen Elizabeth II for his role in preventing the abduction and assassination of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The character embodies the workings of the intelligence and counter-intelligence societies of the modern world in literature. Some people have seen Ryan as a wish fulfillment figure for Clancy, who has expressed interest in intelligence work and politics. Others consider Ryan a fictional spokesman for Clancy's conservative political views.
In film, Ryan has been portrayed by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, and Ben Affleck.
Compare: John Clark