Meg Ryan secured her status as one of America’s beloved stars when she took on some of the most charming romantic roles in the 80s and 90s.
The delightful actress with her blonde shaggy hair will always be remembered for classic films like Sleepless In Seattle and You’ve Got Mail.
No one could have predicted that Ryan’s fame would fade, but she vanished from the big screen after 2018.
Todays, the girl next door from the 90s stays away from public attention, but now at age 61, Ryan recently appeared on a red carpet and caught some eyes…
I can’t be alone in having a crush on Meg Ryan back in the day. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed star was known as the queen of rom-coms for good reason; she earned the title “America’s sweetheart.”
Her star shone brightly for two decades when she became one of Hollywood’s most loved actresses.
But it wasn’t obvious that Meg Ryan would become famous worldwide.
Born in 1961, Ryan spent her childhood in Fairfield, Connecticut. Her father Harry Hyra was Polish and worked as a math teacher. Her mother Susan Jordan also taught but had been an actress before; so being on stage was part of their family tradition.
Changed her name
However, when Meg was just 15 years old her parents divorced in 1976 which made things tense between them later.
Actually, Meg ended up cutting ties with her mom after several incidents. She also chose to change her last name to “Ryan,” which came from her grandmother’s maiden name when she signed up with Screen Actors Guild.
As a young adult, Ryan decided to study journalism at University of Connecticut then New York University. College changed everything for her life but not necessarily how many thought it would.
Meg started acting in TV ads and soap operas to make some cash on the side. Suddenly she got a role in As The World Turns, catching attention from producers who noticed this talented young actress.
Ryan left college behind to chase a career in entertainment instead! She had a small breakthrough with the hit movie Top Gun., where she played Carole Bradshaw—the wife of Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards).
This action-romance film became super popular—highest-grossing film of ’86—and helped Meg get bigger parts!
She even found love while filming Top Gun.. She began dating Anthony Edwards who played opposite her! They were together for some time and even moved into together.
Anthony Edwards & Meg Ryan / Getty ImagesIn ’87 ,Ryan starred alongside Dennis Quaidin sci-fi flick Innerspace.
“She had already been seen brieflyin ‘Top Gun’ before this role,” said director Joe Dante about how this movie helped boosther career further while introducingher to Dennis whom she’d marry later.”
Megand Dennis fell head over heels quickly tyingthe knoton February14th ,1991.
“It felt like lightning struck,” saidDennis .“We both knew we were meantto be.”
Their wedding took place right there intheir hotel roomon Valentine’s Day without any guests includingRyan’s mom!
“I laughedand cried all at once,”she told New York Post adding: “I realized I could never have marriedin frontof lots people.”
Queenofrom-coms
Her rise began soaring when she landedthe lead rolein romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally … where shedelivered an unforgettable performance alongside Billy Crystal.The film didn’t do wellwith critics initiallybut has since becomea cult classic!
This movie set up Meg Ryanto reign as queenofrom-coms!
In ’93 ,she teamedupwith Tom Hanksagainfor another rom-com hit–Sleepless In Seattle! Once more,the adorable girl-next-door won over audiencesand received praiseforher acting skills .
“I think sometimespeople overlookhow truly talentedshe is because they focusonher cuteness,”said directorNora Ephronto Vanity Fair backthen .
Tom Hanks shared insightsabout his co-star sayingthat although critics calledher soulofromanticcomedy,she had other sides too!
“Meg isn’t just bubbly; I always sensedtherewasmore depthtoher than what metheye.” he stated back then .
It wasn’t clear that shed landthe partas Annie Reed insleepless In Seattle either—actually,she was sixth choiceafter Julia Roberts,Kim Basinger,and Michelle Pfeiffer turnedit down!
Darkerroles
After Sleepless In Seattle’s success,Meg declinedan offerforThe Silence Of The Lambsand focusedinsteadonwhatbroughthersuccess: romantic comedies.
But by ’96,she wanted somethingdifferent so…war drama Courage Under Fire, Meg Ryan acted alongside Denzel Washington and Matt Damon in a much darker part.
The movie, which came out in 1996, was a big hit at the box office, and back then, it seemed like Ryan couldn’t miss. Her success story kept going in 1998, one of her best years ever. Co-starring with Nicolas Cage in the romantic comedy City of Angels, everything was lined up for another box office win. And once again, Meg Ryan received praise from critics and the film made almost $200 million.
That same year brought another important role when she teamed up again with Tom Hanks in You’ve Got Mail. The film is set during the time when emails and the internet were becoming popular; it’s about two competitors who fall for each other while emailing without knowing each other’s real identities.
Meg got her third Golden Globe Award nomination for this movie and The New York Times said:
“Ms. Ryan plays her role cheerfully and believably this time, with an air of freshness, a minimum of cute fidgeting, and lots of warm chemistry with Mr. Hanks.”
What a great way to finish off an amazing decade for the actress!
But if the 90s were all about success, the 00s turned out to be much tougher for her. She started off this new decade with some flops while facing personal drama as well.
When she starred next to Russel Crowe in Proof of Life, rumors about their romance began swirling around. At that same time, Ryan announced her split from husband Dennis Quaid in 2000.
During this rough patch personally ,Ryan faced harsh criticism from tabloids over being linked to Russel Crowe while still married. Her actions didn’t fit what fans expected from their favorite girl-next-door so naturally ,the affair became big news.
Meg Ryan & Russell Crowe
What many people didn’t realize was that Ryan’s marriage to Dennis Quaid was already falling apart before she started dating Russel Crowe.
Their marriage often looked like a fairytale but it wasn’t really that way at all.
“It was a great story but what wasn’t told was how my marriage really was for nine years,” Meg shared with InStyle Magazine back in 2008. “Dennis had been unfaithful to me long before I even knew.”
According to Meg ,dating her Proof of Life co-star had nothing do with ending things between them.
“I think he took quite a hit but Russell didn’t cause our breakup,” she explained further:
“The public only saw things after we split up; our reasons had nothing do with anyone else,” she added.
For obvious reasons ,her ex-husband wasn’t happy about Meg’s comments years later after their high-profile divorce .
“It happened eight years ago! I can hardly believe that Meg keeps bringing up our relationship publicly,” he told New York Daily News.
While Meg called their relationship “very unhealthy”, Dennis Quaid has more positive memories looking back on their time together .
“Sure! I still love her,” Quaid said according Independent . “I’m very fond of her; we shared so many good times together over those thirteen years.”
Meg Ryans son
Even though they went separate ways ,they will always have special connection because they share son Jack .
Jack Quaid born in ’92 is now an actor following his parents’ footsteps . He made his debut appearance in The Hunger Games and has since appeared on various TV shows & movies throughout his career .
When things got tough during those times ,she took three-year break from acting post-divorce focusing on family instead . It seems like they have strong bond as mother & son too!
For instance,in2015,Meg directed Jack when he starred in the film
“I feel lucky growing up saying ‘Hey,I want be actor’and having support.I never grew up hearing ‘Oh you should have backup plan,’”Jack told Insider recently .
Meg Ryans daughter
In mid -00s,Meg faced some career setbacks causing decline star status.She shifted focus towards personal life deciding expand family further more
As single mom,she adopted baby girl aged fourteen months old named Daisy welcomed into family by2006
“I just wanted baby badly ;it felt like mission connect someone.Daisy & I met each other perfectly compatible! Having experience raising Jack then now Daisy —love feels no different!”Ryan expressed Redbook magazine back then .
Meg Ryan’s last major role was in 2008, when she appeared in The Women, a mix of comedy and drama. After that, she took a break from acting and stayed out of the public eye for some time.
As noted, she attempted directing with Ithaca, but it seemed like it wasn’t really her thing. In recent years, the once all-American girl and superstar has only made small acting appearances.
“I wasn’t as interested in acting as I was in other things life offers. I wanted to experience more,” she shared with the New York Times in 2019 and added:
“I don’t feel like I’m naturally a performer. I knew opportunities were given to me and there was certain music I could play as an actor. Certain things I could do. And while I enjoyed acting, it felt like something I was figuring out.”
Meg Ryan Now
Naturally, many people have been curious about what Meg Ryan has been up to lately since we don’t see her on the big screen very often.
In my view, Meg Ryan looks just like when she first became famous; her face is so linked with those lovely romantic comedies she starred in.
So maybe that’s why it caught me off guard when I saw her today. But actresses age too! Meg Ryan is now 61 – which you can clearly see in newer photos of her. Still, she’s stunning and an incredibly skilled woman.
Today she’s working on writing romantic comedies and also helps produce a show for NBC.
“I’m also getting ready to direct again, plus I’m involved with a fun e-commerce project alongside some friends,” said the former actress back in 2019.
Because of this, we don’t see her much on red carpets anymore; however now & then Meg makes appearances at gala events.
She’s active on Instagram too where she has over 600000 followers!
“Like anything if it’s overdone then it’s an issue,” Meg told Instyle explaining: “But hearing from—well not everyone [laughs]—but directly from people gives more depth to understanding someone. It’s never just black or white! No story is ever that simple.”
A source close to Meg mentioned that returning to movies isn’t impossible at all! The source told OK! Magazine back in 2020 that Ryan is “ready to take Hollywood by storm again.”
It’s amazing seeing Meg Ryan today knowing that she still seems eager to create & leave an impact.
Maybe she’ll never be as massive as during the ’90s but she’s definitely left a lasting mark on all who watched her wonderful films & rom-coms.
Thanks for all those memories & good luck ahead Meg!
