Ryan Hadley, star of “Ink Master”, dies at 46

Published: 12:36 PDT, June 22, 2024

Ryan Hadley, a tattoo artist and entrepreneur who appeared in season 6 of Ink Master: Master vs. Apprenticedied. He was 46.

Hadley’s Instagram account said he died on Wednesday “surrounded by his loved ones” from complications of his battle with cancer. Announcement added“Although his life ended too soon, he left a legacy in both the art and tattoo world during that time. He loved his many fans, his friends and clients, and most of all his children. He will be missed and always remembered. A legend forever. #RestInPeace #f***kCancer.”

Hadley began chemotherapy in December. But just a few months later, Hadley shared the tragic news that his “the chemotherapy was not successful at all.” He added that his cancer had spread to his liver and lungs and that the cancer was “untreatable” and “death was the result.”

“I may be here another week or maybe three months, but either way, it’s tearing me apart that I’m leaving my children behind,” he said at the time. “Death doesn’t scare me in any way… it’s the fact that I’m abandoning my children that makes me angry, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

Just days before his death, Hadley’s family began a “Donations at the end of life” campaign to help pay for funeral expenses. According to this GoFundMe campaign, Hadley and his family “spent his remaining time together golfing, taking short trips, and getting tattooed.”

Hadley was from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He appeared in season 6 of Ink Master: Master vs. Apprenticewhich aired on the Paramount Network in 2015. The show, a Color Master Spin-off with host/judge Dave Navarro and judges/tattoo artists Chris Núñez and Oliver Peck.

Hadley was one of 18 participants competing for $100,000, a Dodge Challenger, a story in Colored Magazine and the coveted title Color Master. He entered the competition with 15 years of experience as the owner and operator of a tattoo and art gallery in Indiana. However, Hadley was eliminated early in the competition, finishing in 17th place.

He leaves behind two sons and a daughter.

RELATED CONTENT: