Now he's melted all our hearts with his latest venture.
The animal lover has spoken out over the welfare of pigs.
The passionate 32-year-old took to a Canadian newspaper in support of a new animal rights draft code, writing:
'Within this draft code is a mandate that the pork industry stop relegating, for nearly their entire lives, mother pigs to tiny cages so small they can’t even turn around.'
Joining forces with the Farm Sanctuary and Humane Society International/Canada, Ryan spoke in favour of the code proposed by Canada’s National Farm Animal Care Council, promoting improved conditions for the nation's one million breeding pigs.
'I hope it will close this dangerous loophole by disallowing the pork industry from confining pigs for weeks at a time – something that I would never dream of doing to [my dog] George, and that no compassionate Canadian would ever do to any animal,' he added.
The Gangster Squad star has often talked of his love for George, who once even accompanied him on the Jimmy Fallon show, explaining:
'The bond I have with George is not unique. Like me, countless Canadians share their homes and lives with pets they consider to be part of the family. We know that they have individual personalities and quirks (George loves apples, for example) and that they feel both physical and mental pain.'
The actor turned director has also previously spoken out against the dehorning of cows, a procedure where the horns of a cow or calf are painfully gouged out of their head.
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