Ryan Pierce is Josh Lyman's wisecracking intern during Season 5 of The West Wing. Portrayed by Jesse Bradford, Ryan appeared in nine episodes of the show. The fortunate son from a powerful Washington family, Ryan is the nephew of an influential U.S. senator, and the great-great grandson of President Franklin Pierce (though in reality President Franklin Pierce had no children who survived to adulthood). Tension builds between him and the increasingly agitated Josh when the latter discovers that Ryan attended Harvard, his alma mater. Ryan attempts to use the connection as a bonding experience but Josh describes him as one of the popular rich kids who used to pick on him.