Ryan Merriman
Encyclopedia
Ryan Earl Merriman is an American actor. He began his acting career as a child actor during the mid-1990s and has appeared in several feature films and television shows.
, Oklahoma, the son of Earl and Nonalyn Merriman. He has a sister, Monica. At a young age, he began acting in commercials
, print work, vocal performances, and local theater
(Stage Struck Studios) in Oklahoma
.
, which ran from 1993 to 1995. He is also known for his movie Luck of the Irish, which premiered on the Disney Channel. During the mid and late 1990s, he appeared in most episodes of The Pretender
as a younger version of the title character. Merriman also starred in several made-for-television films
, including Smart House, The Luck of the Irish
, and as a young Meyer Lansky
in Lansky
. In 1999, he appeared in the feature film The Deep End of the Ocean
, playing the lost son of Michelle Pfeiffer
's character, and subsequently starred as the main character, a Jewish boy from the Bronx
, in the film Just Looking
, which received a limited theatrical release in 2000. In 2002, he played the Madeleine L'Engle
character Adam Eddington
in yet another Disney Channel
original movie, A Ring of Endless Light
. In the years following, Merriman again returned to television roles, and appeared in Dangerous Child
, co-starring Delta Burke
, the mini-series Taken (2003–04), and a guest role on Smallville
in 2004.
During Merriman's career, his roles also included the horror films Halloween: Resurrection
(2002), The Ring Two
(2005) and Final Destination 3
(2006). He is one of the stars of Home of the Giants
, a high school drama co-starring Haley Joel Osment
and Danielle Panabaker
which has yet to be released. He appeared in the CBS mini-series Comanche Moon
, in January 2008. He also played the lead role of Henry Dunn in the original pilot presentation for Harper's Island, but was replaced by Christopher Gorham
when the pilot was ordered to series by CBS.
Dwight H. Little
wanted Merriman to play Jin Kazama
in his movie Tekken, but Merriman turned it down, so the role went to John Foo
. He did, however, star in the Hallmark Channel original movie Elevator Girl as the male protagonist Jonathan, the young successful lawyer who finds himself falling for a free-spirited young woman who is way below his pay grade. In 2011, he starred in The 5th Quarter
, a feature film about the surprising 2006 football season
of Wake Forest University
, as the team's star linebacker Jon Abbate
.
Background
Merriman was born in ChoctawChoctaw, Oklahoma
Choctaw is the oldest chartered town in Oklahoma. Choctaw physically became a community in 1890, but was not given actual status as a town until 1893 when a territorial governor was appointed for Oklahoma. It officially celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1993....
, Oklahoma, the son of Earl and Nonalyn Merriman. He has a sister, Monica. At a young age, he began acting in commercials
Television advertisement
A television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...
, print work, vocal performances, and local theater
Community theatre
Community theatre refers to theatrical performance made in relation to particular communities—its usage includes theatre made by, with, and for a community...
(Stage Struck Studios) in Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
.
Career
Merriman's first major role was on the television series, The MommiesThe Mommies (TV series)
The Mommies is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 1993 to June 1995. Produced by Paramount Television, the series ran for two seasons with a total of 38 episodes.-Synopsis:...
, which ran from 1993 to 1995. He is also known for his movie Luck of the Irish, which premiered on the Disney Channel. During the mid and late 1990s, he appeared in most episodes of The Pretender
The Pretender (TV series)
The Pretender is an American television series that aired on NBC from 1996 to 2000. The series starred Michael T. Weiss as Jarod, a genius and former child prodigy with "the ability to become anyone he wants to be," i.e., to flawlessly impersonate anyone in virtually any line of work...
as a younger version of the title character. Merriman also starred in several made-for-television films
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
, including Smart House, The Luck of the Irish
The Luck of the Irish (2001 film)
-Plot:Kyle Johnson is a popular basketball player in junior high school who has never known about his heritage. He is often told by his best friend, Russell Halloway , that he is the luckiest person he has ever known...
, and as a young Meyer Lansky
Meyer Lansky
Meyer Lansky , known as the "Mob's Accountant", was a Polish-born American organized crime figure who, along with his associate Charles "Lucky" Luciano, was instrumental in the development of the "National Crime Syndicate" in the United States...
in Lansky
Lansky (film)
Lansky is a 1999 American made-for-television crime drama film. Directed by John McNaughton, it stars Richard Dreyfuss as the famous gangster Meyer Lansky, Eric Roberts as Bugsy Siegel, and Ryan Merriman as the young Lansky.-Plot summary:...
. In 1999, he appeared in the feature film The Deep End of the Ocean
The Deep End of the Ocean (film)
The Deep End of the Ocean is an American motion picture drama directed by Ulu Grosbard, and starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Treat Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Jonathan Jackson and Ryan Merriman...
, playing the lost son of Michelle Pfeiffer
Michelle Pfeiffer
Michelle Marie Pfeiffer is an American actress. She made her film debut in 1980 in The Hollywood Knights, but first garnered mainstream attention with her performance in Brian De Palma's Scarface . Pfeiffer has won numerous awards for her work...
's character, and subsequently starred as the main character, a Jewish boy from the Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, in the film Just Looking
Just Looking
Just Looking is an American feature film from the year 1999. It starred Ryan Merriman, was directed by Jason Alexander and received a limited theatrical release....
, which received a limited theatrical release in 2000. In 2002, he played the Madeleine L'Engle
Madeleine L'Engle
Madeleine L'Engle was an American writer best known for her young-adult fiction, particularly the Newbery Medal-winning A Wrinkle in Time and its sequels A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time...
character Adam Eddington
Adam Eddington
Adam Eddington III is a major character in three young adult novels by Madeleine L'Engle. A marine biology student, he is the protagonist of The Arm of the Starfish , and a reluctant love interest for Vicky Austin in A Ring of Endless Light , a relationship that continues in Troubling a Star...
in yet another Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
original movie, A Ring of Endless Light
A Ring of Endless Light (film)
A Ring of Endless Light is a 2002 Disney Channel Original Movie based on the Madeleine L'Engle book of the same name filmed on location in Australia, and starring Mischa Barton in the main lead role. It is one of two Disney adaptations of novels by Madeleine L'Engle, the other being A Wrinkle in...
. In the years following, Merriman again returned to television roles, and appeared in Dangerous Child
Dangerous Child
Dangerous Child is a 2001 made-for-TV movie starring Delta Burke and Ryan Merriman. Merriman won a Young Artist Award for "Best Performance in a TV Movie or Special - Leading Young Actor" for his role in the film...
, co-starring Delta Burke
Delta Burke
Delta Ramona Leah Burke is an American television and film actress. Her television work includes a leading role as Suzanne Sugarbaker in the CBS sitcom Designing Women...
, the mini-series Taken (2003–04), and a guest role on Smallville
Smallville
Smallville is the hometown of Superman in comic books published by DC Comics. While growing up in Smallville, the young Clark Kent attended Smallville High with best friends Lana Lang, Chloe Sullivan and Pete Ross...
in 2004.
During Merriman's career, his roles also included the horror films Halloween: Resurrection
Halloween: Resurrection
Halloween: Resurrection is a 2002 American horror film and eighth installment in the Halloween film series. Directed by Rick Rosenthal, who had also directed Halloween II, the film builds upon the continuity of Halloween H20: 20 Years Later...
(2002), The Ring Two
The Ring Two
The Ring Two is a 2005 American psychological horror film, and a sequel to the 2002 film The Ring, which was a remake of the 1998 Japanese film Ring...
(2005) and Final Destination 3
Final Destination 3
Final Destination 3 is a 2006 supernatural slasher film, and the third film in the Final Destination series. The film was directed and written by James Wong, who co-wrote and directed the first film, and was produced by Craig Perry. It was released in North America on February 10, 2006...
(2006). He is one of the stars of Home of the Giants
Home of the Giants
Home of the Giants is a 2007 American film, written and directed by Rusty Gorman that stars Haley Joel Osment, Ryan Merriman and Danielle Panabaker. The film has been described as a coming of age tale and sports drama.-Plot:...
, a high school drama co-starring Haley Joel Osment
Haley Joel Osment
Haley Joel Osment is an American actor. After a series of roles in television and film during the 1990s, including a small part in Forrest Gump playing Tom Hanks' title character’s son, Osment rose to fame with his performance as Cole Sear in M...
and Danielle Panabaker
Danielle Panabaker
Danielle Nicole Panabaker is an American actress. She was a cast member in the CBS drama Shark, and appeared in the films Mr. Brooks, Sky High, The Crazies and Friday the 13th, among other projects...
which has yet to be released. He appeared in the CBS mini-series Comanche Moon
Comanche Moon (TV miniseries)
Comanche Moon is a television miniseries that is an adaptation of the novel of the same name. It aired on CBS beginning Sunday, January 13, and continuing Tuesday, January 15, and Wednesday, January 16, 2008.-Cast:* Val Kilmer as Inish Scull...
, in January 2008. He also played the lead role of Henry Dunn in the original pilot presentation for Harper's Island, but was replaced by Christopher Gorham
Christopher Gorham
Christopher David Gorham is an American actor.- Early life :Gorham was born in Fresno, California to David Gorham, a certified public accountant and Cathryn Gorham, a school nurse. He attended high school at Roosevelt School of the Arts and graduated from UCLA with a BA in Film & Theater Arts...
when the pilot was ordered to series by CBS.
Dwight H. Little
Dwight H. Little
Dwight Hubbard Little is an American film director, known for directing the films Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, The Phantom of the Opera, Marked for Death, Rapid Fire and Murder at 1600...
wanted Merriman to play Jin Kazama
Jin Kazama
is a video game player character in the Tekken fighting game series released by Namco Bandai. Trained by his grandfather, Heihachi Mishima in order to enter the King of Iron Fist Tournament, Jin wishes to avenge his mother's apparent death...
in his movie Tekken, but Merriman turned it down, so the role went to John Foo
John Foo
Jon Foo is an English actor, martial artist and stuntman of mixed Chinese and Irish descent.-Early life:...
. He did, however, star in the Hallmark Channel original movie Elevator Girl as the male protagonist Jonathan, the young successful lawyer who finds himself falling for a free-spirited young woman who is way below his pay grade. In 2011, he starred in The 5th Quarter
The 5th Quarter
-Plot:Based on actual events, when 15-year-old Luke Abbate dies in a car accident caused by a teenage driver after lacrosse practice in February 2006, Luke's older brother Jon Abbate is motivated to have the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team be successful in their upcoming season.-Cast:*Ryan...
, a feature film about the surprising 2006 football season
2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team
The 2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Jim Grobe, in his fifth season at the school, and played its home games at Groves Stadium...
of Wake Forest University
Wake Forest Demon Deacons football
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represents Wake Forest University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Wake Forest plays its home football games at BB&T Field....
, as the team's star linebacker Jon Abbate
Jon Abbate
Jon Abbate is an American football linebacker, most recently on the roster of the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League...
.
Film
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | What's Right With America | Todd Gordon | |
| 1998 | Everything That Rises | Nathan Clay | Young Artist Award Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... for Best Performance in a TV Movie/Pilot/Mini-Series or Series – Leading Young Actor |
| 1999 | Night Ride Home | Justin | |
| 1999 | Lansky Lansky (film) Lansky is a 1999 American made-for-television crime drama film. Directed by John McNaughton, it stars Richard Dreyfuss as the famous gangster Meyer Lansky, Eric Roberts as Bugsy Siegel, and Ryan Merriman as the young Lansky.-Plot summary:... |
Meyer Lansky Meyer Lansky Meyer Lansky , known as the "Mob's Accountant", was a Polish-born American organized crime figure who, along with his associate Charles "Lucky" Luciano, was instrumental in the development of the "National Crime Syndicate" in the United States... |
|
| 1999 | The Deep End of the Ocean The Deep End of the Ocean (film) The Deep End of the Ocean is an American motion picture drama directed by Ulu Grosbard, and starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Treat Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Jonathan Jackson and Ryan Merriman... |
Sam Karras, Ben Cappadora | Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actor |
| 1999 | Smart House | Ben Cooper | |
| 1999 | Just Looking Just Looking Just Looking is an American feature film from the year 1999. It starred Ryan Merriman, was directed by Jason Alexander and received a limited theatrical release.... |
Lenny Levine | Nominated — Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actor |
| 2000 | Rocket's Red Glare | Todd Baker | |
| 2001 | The Luck of the Irish The Luck of the Irish (2001 film) -Plot:Kyle Johnson is a popular basketball player in junior high school who has never known about his heritage. He is often told by his best friend, Russell Halloway , that he is the luckiest person he has ever known... |
Kyle Johnson | |
| 2001 | Dangerous Child Dangerous Child Dangerous Child is a 2001 made-for-TV movie starring Delta Burke and Ryan Merriman. Merriman won a Young Artist Award for "Best Performance in a TV Movie or Special - Leading Young Actor" for his role in the film... |
Jack Cambridge | Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie or Special – Leading Young Actor |
| 2002 | Halloween: Resurrection Halloween: Resurrection Halloween: Resurrection is a 2002 American horror film and eighth installment in the Halloween film series. Directed by Rick Rosenthal, who had also directed Halloween II, the film builds upon the continuity of Halloween H20: 20 Years Later... |
Myles Barton | |
| 2002 | A Ring of Endless Light A Ring of Endless Light (film) A Ring of Endless Light is a 2002 Disney Channel Original Movie based on the Madeleine L'Engle book of the same name filmed on location in Australia, and starring Mischa Barton in the main lead role. It is one of two Disney adaptations of novels by Madeleine L'Engle, the other being A Wrinkle in... |
Adam Eddington | |
| 2003 | Spin Spin (2004 film) Spin is a 2003 American drama-genre film starring Ryan Merriman, Stanley Tucci, Dana Delany, Paula Garcés and Rubén Blades. It was released at the Cannes Film Market 17 May 2004 and was limited released in the United States 15 October 2004... |
Eddie Haley | |
| 2005 | The Colt The Colt (film) The Colt is a 2005 television movie made for Hallmark Channel. The film is set during the American Civil War, and is based on the short story by Nobel Prize winner Mikhail Sholokhov.-Plot:... |
Jim Rabb | |
| 2005 | Rings Rings (short film) Rings is a 2005 American horror short film. It was initially released as an extra disc with a re-release of The Ring on DVD. The events in Rings lead up to the sequel The Ring Two, on whose DVD Rings is also included as a bonus feature.... |
Jake | Short film |
| 2005 | The Ring Two The Ring Two The Ring Two is a 2005 American psychological horror film, and a sequel to the 2002 film The Ring, which was a remake of the 1998 Japanese film Ring... |
Jake | |
| 2006 | Final Destination 3 Final Destination 3 Final Destination 3 is a 2006 supernatural slasher film, and the third film in the Final Destination series. The film was directed and written by James Wong, who co-wrote and directed the first film, and was produced by Craig Perry. It was released in North America on February 10, 2006... |
Kevin Fischer | lead role alongside Mary Elizabeth Winstead Mary Elizabeth Winstead Mary Elizabeth Winstead is an American actress. She is best known for her scream queen roles in the horror films Final Destination 3, Black Christmas, Death Proof, and The Thing... |
| 2007 | Home of the Giants Home of the Giants Home of the Giants is a 2007 American film, written and directed by Rusty Gorman that stars Haley Joel Osment, Ryan Merriman and Danielle Panabaker. The film has been described as a coming of age tale and sports drama.-Plot:... |
Matt Morrison | |
| 2008 | Backwoods | Adam | |
| 2009 | Wild Cherry Wild Cherry (2009 film) Wild Cherry is a 2009 American high school comedy film directed by Dana Lustig.-Plot:Helen , a high school senior, is in love with Stanford , her jock boyfriend, and has decided to give it all up to him. At least until she learns that her name is written in the high school football team's secret... |
Stanford | |
| 2011 | The 5th Quarter The 5th Quarter -Plot:Based on actual events, when 15-year-old Luke Abbate dies in a car accident caused by a teenage driver after lacrosse practice in February 2006, Luke's older brother Jon Abbate is motivated to have the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team be successful in their upcoming season.-Cast:*Ryan... |
Jon Abbate Jon Abbate Jon Abbate is an American football linebacker, most recently on the roster of the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League... |
|
| 2012 | My Hometown | Rick Dickson | Filming |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–1995 | The Mommies The Mommies (TV series) The Mommies is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 1993 to June 1995. Produced by Paramount Television, the series ran for two seasons with a total of 38 episodes.-Synopsis:... |
Blake Kellogg | Twenty-nine episodes Nominated — Young Artist Award for Outstanding Youth Ensemble in a Television Series (shared with Sam Gifaldi Sam Gifaldi Sam Gifaldi is an American actor, best known for the voice of Sid on Nickelodeon's Hey Arnold!.-Filmography:- Awards/Nominations:-External links:... , Ashley Peldon Ashley Peldon Ashley Peldon is an American television and film actress.-Early life and career:Peldon was born in New York City, New York. Along with her sister Courtney, she worked as a child actor.... , Shiloh Strong Shiloh Strong Shiloh Strong is an American actor, screenwriter, photographer and film director whose roles include "Zelos Wilder" from Tales of Symphonia, "David Scott" from Dinotopia, and "Grant" from Buck Naked Arson.... , and Joey Zimmerman Joey Zimmerman Joseph Paul Zimmerman is an American actor and musician. He is sometimes credited as Joey Zimmerman, Joseph Zimmerman, J. Paul Zimmerman and J.P. Zimmerman.... ) |
| 1995 | The Client | Jeff Dietrich | "The Way Things Were" |
| 1996–2000 | The Pretender The Pretender (TV series) The Pretender is an American television series that aired on NBC from 1996 to 2000. The series starred Michael T. Weiss as Jarod, a genius and former child prodigy with "the ability to become anyone he wants to be," i.e., to flawlessly impersonate anyone in virtually any line of work... |
young Jarod / Gemini | Forty-nine episodes Nominated — Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Supporting Young Actor (1997) Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Supporting Young Actor (1998, 1999) |
| 2001 | Touched by an Angel Touched by an Angel Touched by an Angel is an American drama series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994 and ran for 211 episodes and nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and produced by Martha Williamson, the series stars Roma Downey, as an angel named Monica, and Della... |
Jason Harris | "Visions of thy Father" |
| 2002 | Taken | Sam Crawford | "Acid Tests" Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie, Mini-Series or Special – Supporting Young Actor |
| 2004 | Smallville Smallville Smallville is the hometown of Superman in comic books published by DC Comics. While growing up in Smallville, the young Clark Kent attended Smallville High with best friends Lana Lang, Chloe Sullivan and Pete Ross... |
Jason Dante | "Velocity Smallville (Season 3) Season three of Smallville, an American television series, began airing on October 1, 2003. The series recounts the early adventures of Kryptonian Clark Kent as he adjusts to life in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas, during the years before he becomes Superman. The third season comprises 22... " |
| 2003–2004 | Veritas: The Quest Veritas: The Quest Veritas: The Quest is a television program that aired in 2003. It follows a rebellious but intelligent teenager, Nikko Zond, discovering that his father Solomon's profession is much more mystical and adventurous than he previously thought... |
Nikko Zond | Thirteen episodes |
| 2008 | Comanche Moon Comanche Moon (TV miniseries) Comanche Moon is a television miniseries that is an adaptation of the novel of the same name. It aired on CBS beginning Sunday, January 13, and continuing Tuesday, January 15, and Wednesday, January 16, 2008.-Cast:* Val Kilmer as Inish Scull... |
Jake Spoon Jake Spoon Jake Spoon is a fictional Texas Ranger appearing in two books of the Lonesome Dove series.-Comanche Moon:Jake's first chronological appearance in the books is in Comanche Moon, which was actually the last book published. Though Jake is a member of the Rangers as the book begins, he is not on the... |
Three episodes |
| 2010 | Elevator Girl | Johnathan | |
| 2010–2011 | Pretty Little Liars Pretty Little Liars (TV series) Pretty Little Liars is an American mystery-thriller teen drama television series created by Marlene King. Based on the popular series of novels written by Sara Shepard, the show premiered on June 8, 2010 on ABC Family... |
Ian Thomas Ian Thomas Ian Thomas may refer to:* Major W. Ian Thomas , Christian speaker and author* Ian Thomas , dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth II* Ian Thomas , Canadian singer-songwriter... |
Recurring role |