The Pretender

Background:

“You gotta have fun, whatever you do. That's my philosophy in life. Always be happy.” Ryan Merriman

Starting out in commercials, print work, vocal performances and local theater at the age of 6, Ryan Merriman got his first major role at age 10 on the television series "The Mommies" (1993-1995). Not long afterward, he gained positive reviews and won two Young Artist Awards for his turn as the young version of genius Jarod Russell on the gripping NBC drama series "The Pretender" (1996-2000). He was the lead in the made-for-TV movies “Smart House” (1999), “Lansky” (1999), “The Luck of the Irish” (2001) and the acclaimed mini-series “Taken” (2002). In 2003, he could be seen starring as Nikko Zond on ABC’s adventure/drama series “Veritas: The Quest.”

On the big screen, the 6' 1" good-looking, blue-eyed, brown-haired Oklahoma native played major roles in the films “The Deep End of the Ocean” (1999), “Just Looking” (1999), “Halloween: Resurrection” (2002), “Spin” (2003), “The Ring Two” (2005) and “Final Destination 3” (2006). He will star in the upcoming films “Home of the Giants” and “The Hard Ride.”

Oklahoma

Childhood and Family:

In Choctaw, Oklahoma, Ryan Earl Merriman was born on April 10, 1983. His father, Earl Merriman, is originally from Germany, while his mother, Nona Merriman, is of English and Scottish descent. He has one older sister, Monika Merriman, who lives and works in New Zealand as a Marine Scientist. Ryan Merriman married his current wife, Micol Amanda Elizabeth, on June 25, 2004.

Merriman, nicknamed “Ry Guy” or “Hollywood,” who has been described by friends and costars as a very shy and quiet guy, enjoys being home with his family and friends, boating, wake-boarding, golfing, four-wheeling, dirt-biking, horseback riding, martial arts, basketball, skiing, snowboarding, camping, fishing and hunting. He is also involved with Eagle Mount, an organization that offers riding, skiing, camp programs and other special activities for disabled children in Bozeman, Montana. Additionally, he supports the Neonatal Parents Network of Oklahoma, an independent, non-profit support network for families with critically ill or premature infants, and the Oklahoma City Infant Crisis Services, an independent, non-profit support network for families with infants in need.

Merriman is scared of birds. However, he still has some pets, including four Rottweilers, one German Shepherd mix, horses and cows. When not on location, he is still proud to call Oklahoma home.

“I want to be a film student with a minor in business. I plan to own my own production company and would like to get behind the camera someday as a director and producer.” Ryan Merriman

Dangerous Child

Career:

“Keep doing what you're doing. That's how I started. Take the steps you need to succeed and make sure you have the full, 100% support of your family. It takes discipline and sacrifice but the pay off is awesome.” Ryan Merriman (to aspiring actors)

At age 6, Ryan Merriman began acting in commercials, print work, vocal performances and local theater in Oklahoma. At age 10, he was cast as a regular on NBC’s mildly successful sitcom "The Mommies" (1993-1995; later titled "Mommies"), in which he played Blake Kellogg. And after guest starring in a 1995 episode of CBS’ TV series "John Grisham's The Client," Merriman landed a recurring role as the young version of genius Jarod Russell (Michael T. Weiss portrayed the adult version) on the gripping NBC drama series "The Pretender" (1996-2000). Showing his versatility, Merriman won two Young Artist Awards, both for Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Supporting Young Actor.

During his hefty four-year stint on “The Pretender,” Merriman was featured in some made-for-television movies such as “Everything That Rises” (TNT, 1998; directed by and starred Dennis Quaid; won Merriman a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie/Pilot/Mini-Series or Series) and “Night Ride Home” (CBS; 1999), which was based on the novel by Barbara Esstman. He also took on the younger version of the title role of the famed gangster in HBO’s biopic “Lansky” (1999; Richard Dreyfuss played the adult version), and starred as a 13-year-old computer whiz kid in the Disney Channel TV-movie “Smart House” (1999).

Merriman made his first theatrical film appearance in director Ulu Grosbard's film adaptation of Jacquelyn Mitchard's best-selling 1996 novel, “The Deep End of the Ocean” (1999), in which he starred as Ben, Michelle Pfeiffer and Treat Williams' preteen son who reappeared 9 years after being kidnapped. He followed it up with a role as a typical 14-year-old boy from the Bronx in Jason Alexander's 1950s coming of age comedy movie, “Just Looking” (released theatrically in 2000), opposite Gretchen Mol.

Following the demise of “The Pretender,” Merriman starred as Robert Wagner's troubled 17-year-old grandson in the Fox Family Channel TV-movie “Rocket's Red Glare” (2000) and won another Young Artist Award, this time for Best Performance in a TV Movie or Special - Leading Young Actor, for his titular role of a teen boy who often takes verbal and physical swipes at his divorced mother (played by Delta Burke) in the Lifetime original movie “Dangerous Child” (2001). He also starred in the Disney Channel TV-movie “Luck of the Irish” (2001) and was spotted as a guest in a March 2001 episode of CBS’ fantasy drama series "Touched By an Angel."

After being featured in Rick Rosenthal's horror film “Halloween: Resurrection” (2002; aka “Halloween: Homecoming;” starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Brad Loree), the eighth film of the “Halloween” franchise in which he played Myles 'Deckard' Barton, Merriman was cast in the acclaimed Sci-Fi Channel miniseries produced by Steven Spielberg, "Taken" (2002), playing the adult version of Sam Crawford. That same year, he co-starred as Mischa Barton's boyfriend in the Disney Channel family drama based on the Novel by Madeline L'Engle, “A Ring of Endless Light,” and starred as Eddie in James Redford's film version of Donald Everett Axinn's novel, “Spin.”

“He'd done a lot of movies as a kid and I could see he had great instincts and physical talent. So I went up there and after a night of talking, I was pleased and surprised to find his Oklahoma roots were very much front and center. Again, something went off in my brain and I just knew he was Eddie. Ryan has the charisma of a leading man, but also a sympathetic quality that both men and women can relate to. Ryan really can work with anyone. He's a fantastic young actor who's going to have a long, successful career and we were fortunate to get him this cheap. I'll always feel great about having given him one of his first big breaks.” “Spin” (2003) director Jamie Redford on Ryan Merriman

Merriman starred as Nikko Zond, a rebellious, but intelligent, teenager searching for answers on ABC’s adventure/drama series “Veritas: The Quest” (2003). He said, “On the road trip through life, don't be afraid to take the detours. Look where I ended up. If I had gone full steam ahead on the path I had already laid out, I'd be dancing to a different tune right now. It would have still been great, but look where the detour took me. 'Veritas' is awesome! So, step out with no fear and take a few detours along the way. There are no boundaries, only possibilities.” Ryan Merriman

After guest starring in a February 2004 episode of the WB (now The CW) sci-fi series “Smallville,” Merriman starred opposite Naomi Watts in the thriller “The Ring Two” (2005), Hideo Nakata's remake of the Japanese film “Ringu” (1998), in which he played Jake, a young man who died in horror after watching the cursed videotape. The following year, he could be seen starring opposite Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the third installment of the thriller “Final Destination” series, “Final Destination 3” (2006), helmed by James Wong.

Merriman recently wrapped up his upcoming film, a coming-of-age tale and sports drama titled “Home of the Giants.” The film is written and directed by Rusty Gorman and stars Haley Joel Osment and Danielle Panabaker.

Merriman is currently filming an upcoming Western/drama miniseries inspired by Larry McMurtry's novel, "Comanche Moon," alongside Elizabeth Banks, and a cop drama series pilot titled “Gravity.” As for the big screen, Merriman will be seen in directors Thadd Turner and Terry Leonard's Western drama set in 1876 Deadwood, Dakota Territory, “The Hard Ride,” with Don Murray, Wes Studi and Christopher Atkins.

“There's a dream out there with your name on it and a star somewhere shining for you. Follow your dream and reach for your star.” Ryan Merriman

Awards:

• Young Artist: Best Performance in a TV Movie, Mini-Series or Special - Supporting Young Actor, "Taken," 2003

• Young Artist: Best Performance in a TV Movie or Special - Leading Young Actor, “Dangerous Child,” 2002

• Young Artist: Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Young Actor, “The Deep End of the Ocean,” 2000

• Young Artist: Best Performance in a TV Movie/Pilot/Mini-Series or Series - Leading Young Actor, “Everything That Rises,” 1999

• Young Artist: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Supporting Young Actor, "The Pretender," 1999

• Young Artist: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Supporting Young Actor, "The Pretender," 1998