Ryan Hadley, ‘Ink Master’ Contestant, Dies at 46

Selena Kuznikov
·2 min read
33

Ryan Hadley, a tattoo artist that appeared in Season 6 of the reality competition series “Ink Master,” has died after a battle with seminoma cancer. He was 46.

Hadley’s family announced the news in an Instagram post on Thursday, featuring a photo of Hadley tattooing, with the words “Forever a Legend” and “RIP.”

More from Variety

“Ryan left this world last night surrounded by loved ones,” the post read. “While his life was cut short, in that time he left a legacy behind in both the art and tattoo world. He loved his many fans, his friends and clients, and most of all his children. He’ll be missed and always remembered. A legend forever. #rip #fuckcancer”

Just two days before, his family posted a photo on his behalf asking for donations on a GoFundMe page to assist with end of life expenses.

“Ryan would like to thank everyone for their support over the years,” Hadley’s family wrote. “He’s always taken great pride in his work. His family is currently taking donations to help pay for end of life expenses.”

In December of last year, Hadley shared that he was diagnosed with seminoma cancer, a malignant germ cell tumor that is typically found in the testicle. Two months ago, in April, Hadley posted on Instagram stating that his cancer had become non-treatable and had spread to his liver and lungs.

“I want to give thanks to all of my clients, sponsors, friends, and family for 25 wonderful years of tattooing,” Hadley said in his post. “I’m opening up and telling everyone that my chemotherapy wasn’t a success at all. I made that decision to follow the oncologist orders and do everything that they asked for during my treatments.”

“Chemotherapy wasn’t for me and now my cancer has spread to my liver and lungs,” he continued. “This is a non treatable cancer in my liver and death is the outcome. I may be around for another week or maybe another 3 months, either way it tears me apart that I’m leaving my children behind. Death doesn’t scare me in any way.. it’s the fact of abandonment with my kids is what pisses me off and there’s nothing I can do about it. I’ll keep everyone updated to a certain point in all this. I’ll be signing off very soon forever.”

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.