Feb. 8--Remember "The Mommies"? Ryan Merriman can barely recall that NBC show from 1993, and he starred in it.

But the actor from Oklahoma was 10 then. Now, he is 26 and excited about the future of his career, which already includes three television shows (he booked "The Mommies" his first time out for pilot season) and 22 movies to his credit.

He plays a young lawyer in his latest movie, "Elevator Girl," which premieres at 7 p.m. Saturday on Hallmark Channel. He stars opposite Lacey Chabert ("Party of Five") in the romantic comedy that deals with the ups and downs of true love.

"I'm finally getting to the age where I can play the young attorney, the young cop and the really meaty stuff," Merriman said in a phone interview with The Oklahoman. "And 'Elevator Girl' was finally a chance for me to do that raw romantic comedy stuff which I really like.

"I'm hoping I get to do more very soon. And I'm really looking forward to the opportunities that are coming."

To help ensure opportunies are close at hand, Merriman moved to Los Angeles. He was born and raised in Choctaw and moved to Midwest City in 2004 after marrying his high school sweetheart, Micol. Two years ago, he and Micol moved to California.

"It is just so much easier on me," Merriman said. "Instead of sending tapes in and waiting to hear back, you can actually go in the room, talk to people and shake their hands."

Merriman makes it back to Oklahoma three or four months a year. His parents, Earl and Nonalyn, still live in Choctaw. And he enjoys coming home and spending time with his family, friends and pets, which include three Rottweilers and a horse.

He may even film a movie in Oklahoma this summer. Details are still being worked out, but Merriman hopes to have more specifics about the project soon.

Other upcoming projects include three Westerns being written and directed by Thadd Turner. Fellow Oklahoma actor Wes Studi is also in the cast for "Palominas," "The Hard Ride" and "The Last Horseman."

"I met Thadd on 'Comanche Moon,' and he had some good stories he wanted to get told," Merriman said. "He's got a film package going, and he's attached me to it in various roles. Hopefully they'll all go down soon, but you never know. They're all in preproduction."

Two of his movies Merriman is certain will be out soon are "Home of the Giants," co-starring Haley Joel Osment (DVD release is scheduled for April 6), and "The 5th Quarter," co-starring Aidan Quinn and Andie MacDowell (view the trailer online at www.the5thquartermovie.com).

"Hopefully, 'The 5th Quarter' will be a big release," said Merriman, whose biggest blockbuster to date is "Final Destination 3." "And 'Elevator Girl' is on the Hallmark Channel, which has really loyal fans and always makes good movies.

"It's going to be a good year."

-----

To see more of The Oklahoman, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.newsok.com.

Copyright (c) 2010, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.