Zhang Ruoyun was born on August 24, 1988, in Beijing, China. Growing up in a household with strong ties to the film industry—his father, Zhang Jian, is a director and producer, and his grandfather was a geologist—he was exposed to the world of storytelling and creativity from an early age. Despite his parents’ divorce when he was very young, Zhang's passion for the performing arts led him to pursue acting, and he later honed his craft at the prestigious Beijing Film Academy, graduating in 2007 .

Zhang made his acting debut in 2004, playing the younger version of a male protagonist in the television series 'The Sea’s Promise'. Over the next few years, he steadily built his career, gaining early public attention through roles in series like 'Snow Leopard' (2010) and its companion series 'Black Fox' (2011). His performance in these projects earned him recognition and awards such as the Most Popular New Actor, marking his arrival onto the national scene.

As his career progressed, Zhang Ruoyun expanded both the range and depth of his roles. In 2015, he starred in the popular web drama 'Wu Xin: The Monster Killer', which helped him gain a wider following across the Greater China region. However, it was in 2016 that he experienced a significant career breakthrough with the espionage drama 'Sparrow'. This role not only established him as a mainstream actor but also earned him accolades for his compelling portrayal of a patriotic and resourceful hero. Soon after, he headlined the well-received series 'Medical Examiner Dr. Qin', a production that garnered over 1.5 billion views on Sohu TV and further demonstrated his versatility across genres .

In addition to his success in television dramas, Zhang has also made a mark in films. He appeared in his first film, 'Sky on Fire', and later took on prominent roles in historical and epic dramas, including the widely popular 'Joy of Life'. This period piece, notable for its rich narrative and layered characters, affirmed Zhang Ruoyun's ability to adapt to complex roles and further solidified his standing within the Chinese entertainment industry.

Off-screen, Zhang is known for his thoughtful and evolving approach to his art. In his personal life, he married actress Tang Yixin in 2019, and in 2020 the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter. His journey from a promising young actor to a well-respected artist in both television and film is marked by his constant drive to challenge himself and explore new facets of acting, making him one of the most dynamic talents of his generation.