Online Encyclopedia
Meg Ryan
Meg Ryan (born November 19, 1961) is a blue-eyed, blonde-haired American actress. She was born Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra in Fairfield, Connecticut. She specializes in romantic comedies, but has dabbled in other film genres as well.
Ryan studied journalism at New York University. She went into acting to earn extra money while in school. After a part in a feature film, Ryan, now using her new name Meg Ryan, landed the role of "Betsy" on the daytime drama As the World Turns from 1982 to 1984. Directors for this show especially liked working with her because she could cry on cue.
After several TV film and smaller movie roles, her first full-blown hit in a leading role was the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally. The movie was favorably received and crystallized Ryan's on-screen persona as a bubbly, charming, feisty but incurable romantic, a role she has largely reprised in her biggest roles since. In 2003, she broke away from her usual roles, and starred in In the Cut, an erotic crime/thriller/mystery. Many of her films of the 1990s have been hits not only in North America, but also abroad.
Ryan married actor Dennis Quaid on Valentine's Day in 1991 after co-starring in two films with him. They divorced on July 16, 2001 after she had an indiscreet affair with actor Russell Crowe, with whom she was working on a movie. Quaid and Ryan had one child together, Jack Henry, born April 24, 1992.
Filmography
- Against the Ropes (2004)
- In the Cut (2003)
- Kate and Leopold (2001)
- Proof of Life (2001)
- Hanging Up (2000)
- You've Got Mail (1998)
- Hurly Burly (1998)
- City Of Angels (1998)
- Northern Lights (1997) (executive producer)
- Anastasia (1997)
- Addicted To Love (1997)
- Courage Under Fire (1996)
- French Kiss (1995)
- When A Man Loves A Woman (1994)
- Restoration (1994)
- I.Q. (1994)
- Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
- Flesh And Bone (1993)
- Prelude To A Kiss (1992)
- The Doors (1991)
- Joe Versus The Volcano (1990)
- When Harry Met Sally (1989)
- The Presidio (1988)
- Promised Land (1988)
- D.O.A. (1988)
- Innerspace (1988)
- Top Gun (1986)
- Armed And Dangerous (1986)
- Amityville 3-D (1983)
- Rich And Famous (1981)