Zachary Canon recently got the opportunity of a lifetime.

The 11-year-old Brookhaven resident was cast to portray one ofthe characters in the upcoming Lifetime TV movie, “Torn Apart.”

The movie, directed by Stuart Alexander, premiers Monday at 8p.m. on the Lifetime Channel. It features stars Tia Carrere, DaleMidkiff, Richard Burgi and Zoe Gaber.

Following Monday’s airing, the movie is scheduled to show againon Thursday, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1, at 2 p.m. andSunday, Oct. 3, at 1:30 p.m.

The suspense film is about a doctor, played by Carrere, who hasno idea that losing a patient is going to wreak complete havoc onher life. Her deceased patient’s grieving father seeks vengeance bykidnapping the doctor’s husband and daughter.

Canon, who plays the part of Scott Horner, makes an appearancein nine scenes — at the beginning and end of the movie.

His role in “Torn Apart” is the most prominent one Zachary hashad so far, said his mother Jackie. The family was surprised andelated when Zachary was chosen from among more experienced youngactors for the part.

“The directors said he had great instinct,” said Jackie. “He’sthe life of the family.”

Zachary started acting and modeling when he was five years oldafter his aunt, Wendy Perez, got him interested in drama. His firstjob was with Land’s End, where he appeared in their Fall 1999catalog. He was in another Land’s End catalog again in October1999.

Zachary’s other works include a radio commercial for Copeland’sRestaurant in New Orleans, a theatre production with the Children’sEnsemble for “Your Feets Too Big” featuring Harry Burney in NewOrleans, television roles as Jason Jr. in “America’s Most Wanted,”Jason in Japan’s Nippon Network’s “World’s Astonishing News” and acommercial speaking part with Copeland’s Restaurant, and modelingwith Advertising Composite in Lafayette, La. He also modeled forLouisiana Tourism’s 2004 Good Times Guide.

But what Zachary brags about most is his performances with localproductions.

He is in the First Baptist Church Children’s Choir, played acaptain in “Good News Cruise” and the role of Drew in “Fish Tales,”and had three roles in the Missoula International Children’sTheater productions. He played Nasty in “Hansel and Gretel,” Two ofHearts in “Alice in Wonderland,” and Villager in “TreasureIsland.”

For Zachary, playing Scott Horner in “Torn Apart” was anopportunity for him to polish his acting skills and meet somefamous people. He believes it is only the first step toward asuccessful career in Hollywood.

“I felt awesome,” said Zachary about being selected. “For one,Tia Carrere was in it, and the director was cool.”

Acting comes natural for Zachary, though, who gets only minimalcoaching from his mother. What he enjoys most about the differentroles he secures is rewarding himself with a PlayStation gameafterwards.

“It’s all play and good pay,” he said.