You’ve probably seen him as Fangs Fogarty on Riverdale, or maybe you caught him recently in Boot Camp. Drew Ray Tanner has that look—the kind that makes you wonder where exactly he’s from, but in a way that feels universally familiar. Honestly, people ask about Drew Ray Tanner ethnicity constantly. It's one of those things that keeps his comment sections busy.
The truth is, he’s not just one thing. He’s biracial.
Specifically, Drew has spoken about his mixed heritage being a blend of Black and White ancestry. While some fans try to pin him down to a specific box, his background is a bit more nuanced than a single label. He was born in Victoria, British Columbia, and raised in the Fraser Valley. That Canadian upbringing, mixed with his diverse roots, has shaped not just his face, but how he navigates a Hollywood that loves to categorize everyone.
The Roots of the "Riverdale" Star
Tanner’s family story is pretty relatable if you grew up in a single-parent household. His father left when he was just two years old. Basically, it was his mom, a dedicated teacher, who did the heavy lifting of raising him and his older brother in Aldergrove.
His mother was a trailblazer. In interviews, Drew has mentioned how she was incredibly open to the idea of raising biracial kids at a time when that wasn't always the norm in her community. She didn't just raise him; she shielded him while also preparing him for a world that would eventually ask, "So, what are you?"
There’s this interesting vibe about his heritage. While his mother is white, his paternal side brings in Black heritage. You might hear him talk about his "deep Toronto roots" occasionally. When he’s in Toronto, he’s usually hunting for authentic Jamaican food and patties—a subtle nod to the cultural flavors that have been part of his life, even if he spent most of his time on the West Coast.
Why Representation Actually Matters to Him
For a long time, Drew was kinda quiet about his racial identity. He didn’t want to be "the biracial actor." He just wanted to be an actor. Period.
"I spent a lot of time in the beginning being like, 'I don't want to be defined by my race,'" he told Blavity in a 2024 interview. It’s a sentiment a lot of mixed-race people feel. There’s this fear that if you lean too hard into one side of your identity, you lose the other, or worse, you get typecast.
But things changed. As he got older, he started to realize that keeping his heritage "close to the chest" wasn't doing anyone any favors. He saw how much it meant to fans to see a biracial man on a hit show like Riverdale who wasn't just a stereotype. He realized that he could advocate for himself and, by extension, for others who look like him.
Breaking Down the Misconceptions
People get confused. Because he’s Canadian and has a specific look, some fans have guessed everything from Latino to Middle Eastern.
- Is he Latino? No, though he can definitely pull off roles that are ethnically ambiguous.
- Is he Black? Yes, he is biracial with Black ancestry.
- Is he White? Yes, on his mother's side.
It’s that "ambiguity" that he used to find frustrating but now views as a strength. He wants to play characters where race isn't the primary plot point, but he also acknowledges the importance of giving minorities a place to thrive in the industry.
From Tire Factories to Television
His journey to becoming a household name wasn't exactly a straight line. After high school, he actually turned down football scholarships. Instead of going the athlete route, he worked at a tire retread plant. He literally spent his days doing hard manual labor so he could afford the gas to drive from Aldergrove to Vancouver for auditions.
That grit probably comes from his grandfather, who was a huge influence. His grandpa used to do magic tricks and would always involve Drew in the act. That was the spark. That was the moment he realized he loved the spotlight.
He didn't get into Riverdale on his first try, either. He originally auditioned for Jughead and Reggie. He didn't get either. But he didn't give up. He actually visited Rocko’s Diner (the real-life Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe) as a fan, saw the line of people, and told himself he’d be on that show eventually. A season later, he was Fangs Fogarty.
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How to Support Drew Ray Tanner
If you’re a fan and want to see more from him, the best thing you can do is support his projects that prioritize diverse storytelling.
- Watch "Boot Camp" on Prime Video or Apple TV. It’s a great example of him playing a lead role where his performance shines regardless of his background.
- Follow his advocacy. He’s becoming more vocal about representation in the Canadian film industry.
- Appreciate the nuance. When discussing Drew Ray Tanner ethnicity, remember that being mixed isn't about being "half and half." It's about being 100% of a unique, multi-layered experience.
Keep an eye on his upcoming project, Sidelined: The QB and Me. He's moving into a phase of his career where he’s taking up more space—not just as an actor, but as a representative of the mixed-race experience in the North.