At seventeen, actor Ryan Merriman has already developed an extensive list of film and television credits which have enabled him to work with some of Hollywood's most respected actors.

Most recently, Ryan completed production on a new film called "Rocket's Red Glare" which co-stars Robert Wagner, Marilu Henner and Danielle Fishel. Merriman played the lead role of Todd Baker, the son and grandson of NASA Astronauts, and like them, obsessed with rocketry and space exploration.

Last year, Merriman starred in Columbia Pictures' "Deep End of the Ocean" with Michelle Pfeiffer, Treat Williams and Whoopi Goldberg. In addition, Merriman starred in The Disney Channel's "Smart House," HBO Pictures' "Lansky," and in the CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation of "Night Ride Home."

Ryan also stars in the recurring role of Young Jarod on the NBC hit series "The Pretender," which is currently in its fourth season. This season, Ryan also portrays J2, a new character introduced in the season finale.

Merriman can also be seen in the TNT original film, "Everything That Rises," opposite Dennis Quaid, Mare Winningham and Harve Presnell. Ryan began his career doing commercials, printwork, vocal performances and local theater in Oklahoma. His first starring role was on the NBC television sitcom, "The Mommies."

Merriman's talent has already been recognized by two very prestigious organizations that award the talent of young performers. He received the Young Artist Award of Hollywood for "Outstanding Performance in a Drama Series, Supporting Actor," in 1997 and 1998 for his role in "The Pretender." He was awarded "Outstanding Performance in a TV Film, Lead Actor," for his role of Nathan Clay in "Everything That Rises," in 1998 and was nominated by The Hollywood Reporter to receive a YoungStar Award for "Best Performance by a Young Actor in a TV Drama Series" for 1997. This past year, Ryan was nominated in three categories in The Hollywood Reporter YoungStar Awards for his performances in "The Pretender," "Smart House" and "Deep End of the Ocean."