Dean Smith

Dean Smith is an actor and comedian from Leeds, England, born 25 January 1990. He became recognizable playing Philip Ryan in BBC 1's Waterloo Road, the teen drama that launched his visibility. Beyond that anchor role, Smith diversified across comedy and drama: he played the tech-obsessed Vinnie Dupe in STV's Being Victor, took on William in BBC1's Last Tango in Halifax, and landed DS Yates—a corrupt detective on gangster Liam Donovan's payroll—in Hollyoaks in 2019. That same year he appeared in Still Open All Hours, the BBC 1 sitcom. When the Waterloo Road universe expanded into the online-only reunion series Waterloo Road Reunited, Smith returned as Philip Ryan, following seven ex-pupils navigating life after school. As an Aquarius born in late January, Smith channels independent creative energy into both character work and public-facing ventures. Actors perform live and on-camera across drama, comedy, and other genres, building career longevity through recurring roles and guest appearances. Smith's off-screen life reflects community commitment: he's patron of Once Upon a Smile charity and regularly participates in their football matches. In 2011, alongside fellow Waterloo Road castmates Jack McMullen, Ben-Ryan Davies, Will Ash, and actor Tom Gibbons, he completed the National Three Peaks Challenge. That same year he ran the Great Yorkshire Run fundraising for Cancer Research UK. In April 2024, Smith joined The Square Ball Podcast as co-host, a show centred on Leeds United and football culture.