Who is Ryan Merriman? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Ryan Earl Merriman

Age: 41 Years, 41 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Kristen McMullen (m. 2014), Micol Merriman (m. 2004–2011

father: Earl Merriman

mother: Nonalyn Merriman

siblings: Monica Merriman

Born Country: United States

Actors American Men

Height: 6'1" (185 cm), 6'1" Males

U.S. State: Oklahoma

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Childhood & Early Life

Ryan Earl Merriman was born on April 10, 1983, in Choctaw, Oklahoma, to Earl and Nonalyn Merriman. He has an older sister named Monica, who is a marine scientist in New Zealand.

Ryan was quite young when he started featuring in commercials and print ads while performing at the local theater 'Stage Struck Studios' in Oklahoma.

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Career

Ryan began his career with the central role of 'Blake Kellogg' in the 'NBC' sitcom 'The Mommies' (30 episodes, 1993–1995) and shared a 'Young Artist Award' nomination with the cast. His next TV project was the 'NBC' drama 'The Pretender,' which featured him as the younger version of the lead character 'Jarod'/'Gemini' played by Michael T. Weiss (50 episodes, 1996–2000). Ryan earned his first solo 'Young Artist Award' nomination for his performance in the series (1997) and won two 'Young Artist Awards' for the same role (1998, 1999).

Ryan's next 'Young Artist Award' was for the lead role of 'Nathan Clay' in the 1998 TV movie 'Everything That Rises.' He portrayed the real-life character of Meyer Lansky, an instrumental figure in the 'National Crime Syndicate,' in the 1999 TV movie 'Lansky.'

Subsequently, Ryan made his film debut with the 'Disney Channel' original movie 'Smart House' (1999), which focused on his character, 'Benjamin "Ben" Cooper,' and his family's adventures.

He won a 'Young Artist Award' again, for his supporting role of 'Benjamin Cappadora'/'Sam Karras' in the 1999 feature 'The Deep End of the Ocean.' He earned another ‘Young Artist Award’ nomination, for his performance as 'Lenny Levine,' a Jewish boy from the Bronx, in 'Just Looking' (1999).

Ryan played legendary actor Robert Wagner's on-screen grandson, 'Todd Baker,' in the 2000 'Fox Family' feature 'Rocket's Red Glare.' He was the popular junior high-school basketball player 'Kyle Johnson' in the 'Disney Channel' original movie 'The Luck of the Irish' (2001).

The 2001 TV movie 'Dangerous Child' got Ryan his next 'Young Artist Award.' The movie featured him as 'Jack Cambridge.' He then got another ‘Young Artist Award,’ for his single-episode appearance as 'Sam Crawford' in the science-fiction miniseries 'Taken' (2002).

Ryan was seen as 'Adam Eddington III,' a marine biology student and a significant character from Madeleine L'Engle's book 'A Ring of Endless Light,' in its 2002 'Disney Channel' adaptation. He starred as 'Eddie Haley' in 'Spin' (2003) and played 'Jake Pierce' in both the parts of the horror short film 'Rings.'

Ryan was cast in the central role of rebellious but intelligent 'Nikko Zond' in the 'ABC' drama 'Veritas: The Quest' (13 episodes, 2003–2004). He played soldier 'Jim Rabb' in the 2005 'Hallmark Channel' movie 'The Colt.'

In 2008, Ryan essayed the role of 'Jake Spoon' in the TV adaptation of the novel 'Comanche Moon' by Diana Ossana and Larry McMurtry, which was part of the 'Lonesome Dove' series of Western novels. He starred as 'Adam Benson' opposite Haylie Duff in the horror TV movie 'Backwoods' (2008).

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Ryan had the recurring role (16 episodes) of 'Ian Thomas' in the ‘ABC’ teen drama mystery–thriller 'Pretty Little Liars' (2010–2014). He was seen as real-life character Jon Abbate, a former American football linebacker, in 'The 5th Quarter' (2011).

He got the opportunity to play a real-life sportsperson again when he was cast as Dixie Walker, a 'Major League Baseball' star, in the biographical sports film '42' (2013).

He served as an executive producer for the 2016 short ‘Clandestine Dynasty.’

Family & Personal Life

Ryan was married to Micol Duncan from 2004 until their divorce in 2011. He then married Kristen McMullen in September 2014.

Ryan supports the independent non-profit organization ‘Infant Crisis Services of Oklahoma.' He is also actively involved with 'Eagle Mount,' providing adventure activities for disabled children in Bozeman, Montana. He also supports the 'Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.'

An avid dog lover, he owns four Rottweilers and a German Shepherd mix.

Ryan enjoys all forms of outdoor sports and adventure activities.

Trivia

Ryan was roped in to play 'Henry Dunn' in the original pilot presentation for the 'CBS' horror–mystery series 'Harper's Island' but was later replaced by Christopher Gorham.

Director Dwight Little offered Ryan the role of ‘Jin Kazama’ in his film 'Tekken,' but Ryan rejected it.

Ryan Merriman Biography