Meg Ryan is an American actress. She is best known for her iconic role as Sally Albright in the 1989 classic "When Harry Met Sally...". Her acting career began in 1981 with the drama film "Rich and Famous," and she transitioned to television, joining the cast of the CBS soap opera "As the World Turns" in 1982. Throughout the 1980s, Ryan made her mark in notable films like "Top Gun" and "Promised Land" (1987). Her career reached new heights in the 1990s and 2000s, with memorable roles in movies such as "Joe Versus the Volcano," "Sleepless in Seattle," "French Kiss," "You've Got Mail," and "City of Angels." Known for her versatility, she tackled challenging roles in films like "When a Man Loves a Woman" (1994) and "Proof of Life" (2000). In 2015, Ryan made her directorial debut with "Ithaca," a film in which she also starred. Now, she's set to return to both acting and directing in the upcoming romantic comedy "What Happens Later" (2023).
Meg Ryan, an iconic American actress, began in 1981 with "Rich and Famous," moved to TV in 1982's "As the World Turns," and thrived in '80s films like "Top Gun" and "Promised Land." The '90s and 2000s brought hits like "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail," showcasing her versatility in "When a Man Loves a Woman" and "Proof of Life." She made her directorial debut in "Ithaca" (2015) and "What Happens Later" (2023).
Meg Ryan was born on November 19, 1961, in Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. She is the daughter of Susan Jordan (née Duggan), a former actress and English teacher, and Harry Hyra, a math teacher. She grew up alongside two sisters, Dana and Annie, as well as her brother, Andrew Hyra, who is a musician in the band Billy Pilgrim. Her parents went through a divorce when she was 15 years old. Meg Ryan holds American nationality, with her ethnicity being American-Polish, and she was raised in the Catholic faith.
Her educational journey took her to St. Pius X Elementary School in Fairfield, and she later graduated from Bethel High School in 1979. While pursuing a journalism degree at both the University of Connecticut and New York University, Ryan ventured into acting in television commercials and appeared in the soap opera "As the World Turns" to support herself financially. Her budding success in acting led her to leave college a semester before completing her degree, and upon joining the Screen Actors Guild, she adopted the surname "Ryan," which was her grandmother's maiden name.
Meg Ryan's career has seen remarkable evolution and diverse roles. She began in the early 1980s with smaller film roles, a popular stint on the soap opera "As the World Turns," and even television commercials. Her involvement in films like "Promised Land" and "Top Gun" marked her early successes, with "Top Gun" earning her scenes in the sequel "Top Gun: Maverick." In the late 1980s, she co-starred with her future husband, Dennis Quaid, in several films.
The late 1980s and the 1990s brought her to the pinnacle of her career. She became famous for her iconic role in "When Harry Met Sally..." and continued with successful films like "Sleepless in Seattle," "You've Got Mail," and "French Kiss." Despite opportunities in "The Silence of the Lambs," she stayed true to her romantic comedy roots. She also ventured into dramatic roles, receiving critical acclaim for "When a Man Loves a Woman." Her career continued to thrive into the late 1990s with hits like "City of Angels" and "You've Got Mail."
In the 2000s, Ryan took on diverse roles in films like "Proof of Life," "In the Cut," and "Against the Ropes." Despite the varied choices, her popularity waned compared to her 1990s heyday. The late 2000s saw her in independent films, and she received praise for her performance in "In the Land of Women." In the following years, Ryan explored directing and returned to acting, showcasing her versatility in projects like "Serious Moonlight" and "The Women." Her directing debut with "Ithaca" in 2015 marked a new chapter in her career, and she continues to stay active in the industry with projects like "What Happens Later" in 2023.
Meg Ryan was a married woman and she is single as of now. She was previously married to her ex-husband, Dennis Quaid, with their wedding taking place on February 14, 1991. Denis Quaid ia an actor by profession. During their marriage, they welcomed a son named Jack Quaid, born on April 24, 1992. However, their relationship faced difficulties, leading to a separation in 2000 and an official divorce on July 16, 2001.
Subsequently, Meg began a relationship with rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter, and occasional actor John Mellencamp in 2010. Although they briefly parted ways in August 2014, they reunited in 2017. Eventually, after almost two years together, the couple decided to separate once again, with their final separation occurring in November 2019, leaving Meg Ryan currently single.
Meg Ryan is a highly successful actress with an estimated net worth of $90 million as of 2023, primarily stemming from her lucrative career in the entertainment industry. Presently, she makes an annual salary exceeding $8 million. Meg Ryan has also been a prominent figure in the world of endorsements, having lent her image and talent to numerous brands. Over the years, she has featured in television commercials and print advertisements tailored for diverse audiences, including Japanese, Spanish, and American markets. Her early career saw her appearing in national commercials for products such as Barbie.
Throughout her career, Meg Ryan has promoted a range of products, from GDI Dingo cars and Mitsubishi Dingo to Pure Skin Beauté Crème and Nescafé in Japan, as well as Freixenet in Spain. Other commercial ventures include AIM toothpaste, Tickle Antiperspirant, Burger King, and Ebel. This financial success has enabled her to enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
Meg Ryan is a stunning actress known for her slim build and impressive body stats. She stands at 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) and maintains a weight of 126 pounds (57 kg). Her blonde hair and captivating blue eyes complement her distinctive features. Meg's measurements are 35-25-35 inches (89-63.5-89 cm), and she typically wears a dress size 6 in the US or 10 in the UK. Her shoe size is 11 in the US or 8.5 in the UK.
Beyond her physical attributes, Meg Ryan's radiant personality and bold walking style set her apart. She has received training from Michael George, a renowned fitness trainer who blends Eastern and Western philosophies to promote good health and posture. This training encompasses yoga, martial arts, strength training, and core exercises. Meg Ryan is also an advocate for healthy eating habits to maintain her enviable physique. Notably, her signature "Meg Ryan haircut" became a popular hairstyle trend in the 90s, inspiring many women to replicate her iconic shaggy bob.
On Friday, 22nd September 2023, Meg Ryan exuded timeless elegance as she embarked on an errand run through the bustling streets of New York City. Radiating youthfulness, she donned a chic all-black ensemble, consisting of a short-sleeved, plain black shirt paired seamlessly with a knee-length black skirt that gracefully cascaded past her knees. Complementing her understated yet stylish attire, she adorned her left wrist with a glittering silver bracelet and showcased a dazzling diamond ring on her right hand. Adding a touch of personal flair, she proudly displayed her 'Life Is Short' tattoo, a cherished reminder of her Brooklyn roots, etched onto her left arm—a testament to her enduring charm and iconic presence in the world of entertainment.
Meg Ryan's breakout role occurred in 1989 when she starred in the critically acclaimed romantic comedy "When Harry Met Sally..." alongside Billy Crystal. This iconic film, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress, tells the story of two friends who ultimately find love, and it has since become a beloved classic in the romantic comedy genre, cherished by audiences even today.
Meg Ryan made the transition to directing in 2015 with her debut film, "Ithaca," a period drama set against the backdrop of World War II in peaceful California. In the movie, Ryan takes on the role of Kate Macauley, a struggling mother, while Tom Hanks plays her husband, and her real-life son Jack Quaid portrays her eldest son sent off to fight in the war. The central character is Homer Macauley, played by Alex Neustaedter, Kate's youngest son, who serves as a determined telegraph messenger delivering messages from loved ones on the frontlines. Ryan is making her return to the screen in the upcoming romantic comedy What Happens Later (2023), which she also directed.
Meg Ryan has an asteroid named in her honor, a tribute to her fame during the late 1980s. In April 1989, scientist Eric Elst discovered a new asteroid while working at the European Southern Observatory in Chile and chose to name it 8353 Megryan in recognition of the actress. In the citation recorded in NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Small-Body Database, Elst mentioned Ryan's full name, Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra, and highlighted her talents, particularly referencing her role in "You've Got Mail" (1999).
During her teenage years, Meg Ryan began her acting career in a somewhat unexpected way-starring in Barbie doll commercials as part of a national advertising campaign while still in school. She took her early steps in the entertainment industry by registering with the Screen Actors Guild, a prominent national labor union for actors. This experience of starting her career through commercials was not uncommon, as many other actors like Danny Dyer, Olivia Colman, and Matt LeBlanc also began their journeys in the world of television advertisements. In 1982, one of Ryan's early TV appearances was in a Burger King commercial, where she portrayed an employee promoting Burger King's "Aren't You Hungry For A Whopper?" game, with the chance to win million-dollar prizes. Over time, she expanded her commercial work to include advertisements in countries like Japan and Spain, endorsing various products ranging from beauty creams to coffee and cars.
Meg Ryan's iconic hairstyle, characterized by her choppy blonde locks, became the inspiration for a famous haircut named after her. This distinctive look was created by celebrity hairdresser Sally Hershberger, who developed it specifically for Ryan. As a result, Hershberger named the haircut "The Meg" in honor of the actress, as she was the first to sport it.
Throughout their collaboration, Hershberger worked diligently on Ryan's hair for various films, including French Kiss, Courage Under Fire, and City of Angels. Reflecting on her famous hairstyle, Ryan mentioned in InStyle Magazine that it's amusing to see it on people in New York to this day. While it might still suit some, she acknowledged that it was a product of the '90s, and its heyday has passed.