His television career began at age 29 playing a high school boy on the December 26, 1953 Adventures of Superman episode titled My Friend Superman with George Reeves, Jack Larson, and Noel Neill.

[1] Ryder preceded this with playing Ronald on the January 31, 1953 Space Patrol episode Runaway Planetoid.

[2] Ryder would go on in the 1950s to appear in several TV series, many as an uncredited actor, and top films.

During the 1980s, Ryder appeared in The Dukes of Hazzard, Hill Street Blues, and General Hospital.

In 1986, Ryder appeared in the comedy film A Masterpiece of Murder with Bob Hope and Don Ameche.