Ruck is perhaps best known for his role as Cameron Frye, Ferris Bueller's hypochondriac best friend in John Hughes' Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986). He also played Captain John Harriman of the USS Enterprise-B in Star Trek: Generations, and a passenger on the ill-fated bus in the blockbuster Speed (both 1994). He also played eccentric storm chaser Robert 'Rabbit' Nurick in the 1996 disaster film Twister. His most recent work in film was as Steve Martin's neighbor in Cheaper by the Dozen (2003). His TV roles include Stuart Bondek, a humorously perverted member of the mayor's staff on the former ABC sitcom Spin City. He is also known for playing Leo Bloom in the road company for Mel Brooks' Broadway musical, The Producers. He was recently cast in the Tim Minear-created FOX series Drive.

Alan is a graduate of the University of Illinois and is a graduate of Parma Senior High School, located in Parma, Ohio. He currently lives in New York City. He is married with two children.