If you’ve found yourself crushing on the brooding bull rider from Ransom Canyon, you’re not alone. Meet Jack Schumacher—the Chicago-born actor who’s been quietly stacking his résumé with an impressive list of roles, some six-pack abs, and now, a full-on Netflix takeover.
Photo Credit: @schumacher_jack
Before he was riding horses and smoldering on the dusty plains of Ransom Canyon, Schumacher’s path to stardom started small. He made his television debut back in 2016 with a guest spot on Empire, but eagle-eyed fans may have clocked him even earlier in background appearances on Chicago P.D. and S.W.A.T.. But the real game-changer came in 2022, when he suited up as Omaha in Top Gun: Maverick, sharing screen time with none other than Tom Cruise. Not a bad way to make Hollywood take notice.
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Since then, Schumacher’s career has galloped forward faster than a runaway stallion. From the glitzy chaos of Welcome to Chippendales to charming audiences in the 2024 rom-com The Engagement Plan, he’s proved that he can do more than just smirk and smolder. And if psychological thrillers are your thing, you might’ve caught him flexing his dramatic chops in The Irrational. Oh, and get this—he was recently cast in a remake of 40 Days and 40 Nights.
But it’s Ransom Canyon that’s cemented him as a true star. As Yancy Grey, a mysterious drifter with a complicated past, Schumacher gives us cowboy fantasy with emotional depth—and a body that, let’s be honest, deserves its own credit. In an interview with Men’s Fitness Magazine, Schumacher shared how he bulked up for the role. Think compound lifts, protein-rich meals, and a leg day regime so serious it could intimidate most gym bros. The focus? “Building up my legs,” he said, explaining it helped transform the rest of his physique and, naturally, dial up the cowboy energy.
And he didn’t stop at weights. To nail the authenticity of a real bull rider, Schumacher threw himself into rodeo training. The result? A character that feels like he walked straight out of a Marlboro ad—minus the cigarettes, plus a whole lot of muscle and mood.
Photo Credit: @schumacher_jack
Off-screen, Schumacher’s life is just as fascinating. He’s spoken candidly about his past struggles with addiction and, as of April 2025, shared that he’s three and a half years sober—a milestone he’s clearly proud of. It’s that mix of discipline, honesty, and vulnerability that fans are drawn to, both on and off screen.
Love life update? While his brief marriage to actress MacKinlee Waddell didn’t last longer than a Netflix binge (six months, to be exact), Schumacher’s heart seems to have found a steadier beat. He’s now dating Ransom Canyon co-star Jennifer Ens, and if their onscreen chemistry is anything to go by, this one might just be built to last.
With Ransom Canyon being called the Top Gun: Maverick of Western TV, and with a body of work (and, well, a body) that keeps turning heads, Jack Schumacher is Hollywood’s latest heartthrob with staying power. Whether he’s on a horse, under a cowboy hat, or bench pressing his way to his next role—one thing’s for sure: we’re all watching.