Matt Lauria, 'Parenthood'

<b>You know him as:</b> Ryan, a veteran who recently returned from two tours in Afghanistan and found himself welcomed into the Braverman family in some unexpected ways.
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<b>Why we like him:</b> Though the character has a lot of darkness, Ryan's romance with Amber (Mae Whitman, pictured with Lauria) has infused some much-needed levity to the show, particularly in contrast to Kristina's (Monica Potter) cancer storyline. Thanks to Lauria's <b><a href="http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/11/matt-lauria-talks-playing-a-veteran-on-parenthood-this-feels-like-the-most-important-thing-ive-ever.html">intensely dedicated performance</a></b>, Ryan fits seamlessly into the established family dynamic and brings new depth to Amber as she embarks on her first real, adult relationship. It's also given us a refreshing take on a topical issue as Ryan struggles to make sense of his life after having been at war. Make Lauria a series regular, please!
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<b>Where else you've seen him:</b> As Lions newbie Luke Cafferty on "Friday Night Lights" and rookie Caleb Evers on "The Chicago Code."
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<i>-- <a href="http://twitter.com/cadlymack">Carina Adly MacKenzie</a>, <a href="http://www.zap2it.com">Zap2it</a></i>

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( NBC )

You know him as: Ryan, a veteran who recently returned from two tours in Afghanistan and found himself welcomed into the Braverman family in some unexpected ways.

Why we like him: Though the character has a lot of darkness, Ryan's romance with Amber (Mae Whitman, pictured with Lauria) has infused some much-needed levity to the show, particularly in contrast to Kristina's (Monica Potter) cancer storyline. Thanks to Lauria's intensely dedicated performance, Ryan fits seamlessly into the established family dynamic and brings new depth to Amber as she embarks on her first real, adult relationship. It's also given us a refreshing take on a topical issue as Ryan struggles to make sense of his life after having been at war. Make Lauria a series regular, please!

Where else you've seen him: As Lions newbie Luke Cafferty on "Friday Night Lights" and rookie Caleb Evers on "The Chicago Code."

-- Carina Adly MacKenzie, Zap2it

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