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At age 18, through her mother's connections, Ryan booked her first television commercial, doing chin-ups and giggling to promote "Tickle" deodorant. After a role in Rich and Famous, Ryan played "Betsy Stewart" in the daytime drama As the World Turns, from 1982 to 1984; she was featured in a popular romantic story arc. Several TV film and smaller movie roles followed, including Amityville 3-D and Promised Land; for her role in the latter she received her first Independent Spirit Award nomination. In 1986, she played, "Carole Bradshaw," (wife of naval aviator "Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw"; played by Anthony Edwards) in Top Gun, and appeared in several scenes. Ryan played "Lydia Maxwell" in the movie Innerspace, which also starred her former husband, Dennis Quaid. Ryan then appeared in a film-noir remake (D.O.A.) and an action film (The Presidio).
Her first full-blown hit in a leading role was the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... (1989) which paired her with comedic leading man Billy Crystal. Her portrayal of Sally Albright, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination, is memorable for her depiction of a theatrically faked orgasm in Katz's Delicatessen in Manhattan. Ryan then starred in The Doors and in Prelude to a Kiss. Both films were moderately successful. 1993 saw the release of the hugely successful romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle, which paired Ryan with leading man Tom Hanks for the second of three times. She made several attempts to break away from the romantic comedy ingenue stereotype and garnered critical acclaim for her work in When a Man Loves a Woman, in which she played an alcoholic, and in Courage Under Fire, portraying a captain in the Gulf War. Both films were substantial successes at the box office. Many of her films of the 1990s were hits not only in North America, but also abroad. In 1994, Ryan won Harvard's Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year. That same year, People Magazine dubbed her one of "the 50 most beautiful people in the world." In 1995, critic Richard Corliss called her "the current soul of romantic comedy." That same year, she appeared opposite Kevin Kline in Lawrence Kasdan's French Kiss, a romantic comedy that catered to her America's Sweetheart persona. The film grossed slightly over $100 million. In 1997, Ryan voiced the lead role in the animated film Anastasia, which garnered good reviews and enjoyed box office success. In 1998, Ryan starred in two films. City of Angels drew positive reviews band became a financial success, topping nearly $200 million worldwide. You've Got Mail once again paired Ryan with Hanks, earning her a third Golden Globe nomination and making over $250 million worldwide. She also appeared in 1998's Hurlyburly with Sean Penn. In 2000, Ryan starred in the action thriller Proof of Life opposite Russell Crowe. Though the film was a critical and commercial flop, her $15 million paycheck[established her as one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood. That same year, Ryan starred opposite Diane Keaton in the comedy, Hangin Up, which received poor reviews, but grossed over $51 million. A year later, she once again returned to her romantic comedy roots in the film, Kate & Leopold. In 2003, she broke away from her usual roles, starring in Jane Campion's erotic crime thriller In the Cut. Though Ryan's decision to appear nude in a lengthy and rather graphic love scene for the first time in her career earned her much media attention, the movie failed with critics and grossed only $23 million in theaters. In October 2003, while in the UK to promote, In the Cut, Ryan's controversial interview with Michael Parkinson on the long-running television talk show Parkinson brought her some negative publicity in the British press. Ryan was quickly mentioned in Adam Sandler's 1995 movie Billy Madison. In the scene comedian Norm MacDonald asks Sandler "Who would you rather bone? Jack Nicholson or Meg Ryan?" Sandler says "Jack Nicholson now or 1974?" MacDonald says "74" Sandler then says "Meg Ryan".
George Gallo's My Mom's New Boyfriend (originally titled Homeland Security, and released in Australia and New Zealand as My Spy) was shot in the fall of 2006, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and released in 2008. The romantic comedy stars Ryan opposite Antonio Banderas. Ryan was joined by former co-star Tom Hanks's son, Colin, who plays her son in the film. In 2007 she played the role of Sarah Hardwicke in In the Land of Women, co-starring Adam Brody and Kristen Stewart. Ryan's next project was a remake of 1939's The Women and began filming in New York in August 2007. The $18 million remake of the George Cukor classic was directed by Murphy Brown creator Diane English and produced by the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger. Ryan played the central character, Mary Haines, a wealthy woman who is one of the last to find out that her husband is cheating on her with a shop girl. The leading role was originally made famous by actress Norma Shearer. Ryan appeared in The Deal, which premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. The film was never distributed but was released on DVD in 2009. Her most recent film project is the upcoming comedy Serious Moonlight which premiered at the Tribeca Fim Film Festival in April 2009. In June 2009, it was reported that Ryan will guest star on the seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Married actor Dennis Quaid on Valentine's Day 1991, after starring in two films with him. Ryan agreed to marry him only after he kicked his cocaine addiction. Quaid and Ryan had one child together, Jack Henry, born on April 24, 1992. The couple separated in 2000, their divorce became final on July 16, 2001. In September 2008, Ryan revealed Quaid had been unfaithful to her for a long time while they were married. Meg Ryan had a relationship with actor Russell Crowe for a few months in 2000 before divorcing her husband; however, the relationship did not last. In January 2006, Ryan adopted a 14-month-old girl from China named Daisy True.
Ryan has supported the U.S. Demorcratic Party, especially its environmental protection programs and initiatives. In 2003, she supported Wesley Clark's campaign for U.S. president. She supported John Kerry during the 2004 presidential elections. Trade Mark: Graceful walk Trivia: Graduated from Bethel High School. Was Prom Queen. [1979] Ranked #57 in Premiere (USA) magazine's "The 100 Most Powerful People in Hollywood" list. [June 1999] Ranked #59 on Entertainment Weekly's most powerful people in Hollywood [1998] Voted most favorite female movie star by the readers and online users of the "People Weekly Magazine" [April 1998] Ranked #94 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. [October 1997] Began Prufrock Pictures in 1994. Son, with Dennis Quaid, Jack Henry Quaid (b. 24 April 1992). Met actor Anthony Edwards during the making of the film Top Gun (1986) and moved in with him. They were a couple until she met actor Dennis Quaid during the film Innerspace (1987), and she moved in with and eventually married him. Both actors portrayed military fighter pilots in their respective roles. Turned down the Sharon Stone role in Basic Instinct (1992) "Meg Ryan" is an anagram of "Germany". Shut down Prufrock Pictures [2000] Born at 10:08 AM EST Savage Garden's song 'All Around Me' was written about her, inspired by a crush from Daniel Jones, the band's composer. 4 February 2002 - An L.A. judge granted a restraining order against John Michael Hughes, a 40 year old real estate agent who had been hanging around Ryan's home claiming to be her fiancee. Measurements: 34B/C-24-33 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine) Member of jury Festival International de Cannes 2003 Has been linked romantically to actors Russell Crowe, John Cusack, Breckin Meyer, Matt Dillon & Craig Bierko; as well as Aussie underwear model Travis Fimmel. Took three weeks of boxing lessons, to prepare for her role in Against the Ropes (2004); Ryan wanted to understand the sport, and the terms her character would use. Shares a birthday with Jodie Foster, Terry Farrell, and Allison Janney. Shared an L.A. house with Daphne Zuniga when both were struggling actresses Lost the lead role in Washington Square (1997) to Jennifer Jason Leigh She and actor Tom Hanks have been co-stars in three movies as love interests: Sleepless in Seattle (1993), Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), and You've Got Mail (1998) Did several national commercials as a teenager for Barbie and other products. Voted "cutest" girl in school, class secretary, and homecoming queen her senior year of high school. Made a memorably unforthcoming appearance on a British chat show hosted by Michael Parkinson. The October 2003 episode of Parkinson's chat show has become part of British television history due to the actress' bizarre behavior in which she gave only one word answers to questions and stared icily at the host. Ryan appeared on the program to promote her erotic thriller, In the Cut (2003), but refused to answer Parkinson's questions about the drastic change from her typical romantic comedy roles. At one point, Parkinson said in exasperation, "What would you do now if you were me?" to which Ryan replied, "Why not wrap it up?" About the televised debacle, Parkinson later said that Ryan was his "most difficult TV moment." He felt her rude behavior toward his fellow guests, Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, whom she deliberately turned her back on, was unforgivable. Parkinson said, "I should have closed it. But listen, it happens. She was an unhappy woman. I felt sorry for her. What I couldn't forgive her for was that she was rude to the other guests." In a 2006 interview with "Marie Claire" magazine, Ryan blamed Parkinson's paternal manner for the failure of the interview. Ryan said, "I don't even know the man. That guy was like some disapproving father! It's crazy. I don't know what he is to you guys, but he's a nut. I felt like he was berating me for being naked in the movie. He said something like: 'You should go back to doing what you were doing.' And I thought, are you like a disapproving dad right now? I'm not even related to you. Back off, buddy. I was so offended by him." Ryan also underscored the difference between American and British TV interviewing styles. "I realized it's not like an American talk show where it's seven minutes and then there's a commercial break. I had to do 20 minutes straight with this guy, and I could either walk off -- which wouldn't be good -- or try to disagree with him very respectfully". A famous haircut by Sally Hershberger was named "Meg" in honor of Ryan, since she was the first one to have it. Adopted daughter Daisy True from China in January 2006 (revealed on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (1986) March 1, 2006). Was offered the role of "Molly Jensen" in Ghost (1990), but turned it down. The part later went to Demi Moore. Turned down the role of "Vivian Ward" in Pretty Woman (1990). Julia Roberts was later given the role. Was offered the role of Clarice Starling, in the movie The Silence of the Lambs (1991), that eventually went to Jodie Foster. Has twice played Candice Bergen's daughter, first in Rich and Famous (1981) and again in The Women (2008). Her first film audition was for the role played by Brooke Shields in Endless Love (1981). Was in consideration for the part of Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction (1994) but Uma Thurman, who went on to receive a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her performance, was cast instead. Was offered the role of Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie in Steel Magnolias (1989), but she turned it down in order to film When Harry Met Sally... (1989). Julia Roberts, who went on to receive a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her performance, was cast instead. | ||||||||||||||||||
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