Ulrich was raised in North Carolina by his father (his parents were divorced). His father reportedly misspelled Bryan's first name on the birth certificate as "Brain". The nickname "Skeet" originated from the nickname "Skeeter" he was given by his Little League coach due to his small stature (like that of a mosquito). Along with his slight frame he had poor health, including numerous bouts with pneumonia and had open heart surgery at the age of 10. He also had nicknames such as "Chester" and "Mosquito".

Ulrich graduated from Northwest Cabarrus High School, where he was a soccer standout. After initially enrolling at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington to study Marine Biology, he switched to New York University, and was subsequently noticed by playwright David Mamet.

After joining the Atlantic Theater Company as an apprentice, Ulrich performed with the group, which got him noticed yet again, this time by director Stacy Cochran. She cast him into an After school special on ABC. With her help he also received his first notable role on screen in 1996 as the loutish boyfriend of Winona Ryder in Boys. He starred in four other movies, two with Neve Campbell, in the same year. His most famous movie was Scream, also starring Campbell. In later years Ulrich has not seen as much professional success, but had a few memorable roles that got him noticed by a growing audience.

Ulrich was recently cast in the CBS drama "Jericho", which will premiere in Fall, 2006. 

In 1997 Ulrich married English actress Georgina Cates, whom he met at an Academy Award party, their wedding was a small ceremony held on their farmland in Virginia, with the only guests being the preacher and their canine companions. They have twins: a son, Jakob Dylan, and a daughter, Naiia Rose, born on March 9, 2001. Skeet and Georgina are separated and have apparently filed for divorce.