Alan Ritchson may play a tough guy onscreen but behind the scenes the actor is a soft touch.
His latest social media post left fans cooing as he showcased his "gentle giant" side.
The Reacher star posted a montage of photos and videos of himself interacting with puppies and a koala and explained all in the caption.
© Getty"There have been so many animals around lately!" he wrote. "The other day I captured a koala in the wild, then I captured an AD’s dog in the wild and I’m keeping it."
Alan then added: "@youngnla and @liebermantodd caught a bunch of puppies in the wild and brought them to work to help them get adopted and snuggled. Puppy parties are mandatory on all my sets now!
"I will release all my captured animals back into the wild soon because tomorrow is my last day on this movie and I don’t know how to feed or clothe a koala. That is all. Bye."
Alan, who is filming a new movie in Queensland, Australia, was covered in fake blood and wearing a military uniform in some of the photos, but his soft interaction with the pups couldn't have been further from that of an action hero.
Fans immediately began commenting on the adorable nature of his message with one writing: "Big man, bigger heart. Gotta appreciate the gentle giants," and another adding: "It says a lot about a person when he is good to animals."
Family life
© InstagramAway from his career, Alan is a dad to three sons who he shares with his longtime wife, Catherine Ritchson, who was his teenage sweetheart.
Calem was born in 2012, followed by Edan a year later and Amory was welcomed in 2015. The doting father-of-three has three colorful tattoos that he specifically got to represent each of his children.
Alan's struggles with bi-polar
Before achieving the fame he has today, Alan endured a long, difficult career path marked by many failed auditions, financial instability, and, in 2019, a severe mental health crisis.
He has been open about his battle with bipolar and is forever grateful for the support of his wife throughout.
"Dealing with a bipolar husband who can give a sane partner severe whiplash and a level of fame that nothing can prepare you for," he wrote in a tribute. "I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Yet this is the straw she drew when she said 'I do'."
© Instagram"Thank GOD for someone with the unspeakable strength, persistence, resilience, patience, grace, love, compassion and forgiveness to suffer through the valleys with me," he said in a tribute to Catherine. "And I am eternally grateful that God knew well enough to gift me a life with her."
Alan talks about his condition on his Youtube channel Instachurch as a way of processing his depression and to help others who are struggling with their mental health.
“Being bipolar has wreaked havoc on my life many, many times," he said. "I would wish it away if I could, but it’s so much a part of who I am now that I should celebrate it a little or, at least, accept it. Mental health is an everyday conversation for me."
