Meg Ryan captured hearts across America with her charming performances in romantic comedies during the 80s and 90s. With her signature blond shag haircut, she became a beloved icon, famous for classics like Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail.
Back then, it seemed like Ryan’s star would shine forever, but she vanished from the big screen after 2018. Now, at 61, the former sweetheart of the 90s has stepped back into the spotlight, making waves on the red carpet and catching everyone’s attention.
“I cannot be the only one who had a crush on Meg Ryan in the 80s and 90s,” someone might say. “The blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty was the queen of rom-coms, and there was a reason she earned the title ‘America’s sweetheart.'”
Her fame burned brightly for two decades, but Meg’s rise to stardom wasn’t always obvious. Born in 1961 in Fairfield, Connecticut, she grew up with her father, Harry Hyra, a math teacher of Polish descent, and her mother, Susan Jordan, who had a background in teaching and acting.
Despite her family’s theatrical leanings, Meg’s parents divorced in 1976 when she was just 15, creating tension that would affect her later in life.
To distance herself from her troubled family situation, Meg changed her surname to “Ryan,” her grandmother’s maiden name, when she registered with the Screen Actors Guild. She initially studied journalism at the University of Connecticut and New York University, but her career took an unexpected turn when she began acting in TV commercials and soap operas.
Her talent soon shone through, leading to a role in the soap opera As the World Turns, which helped launch her career.
Ryan dropped out of college and took a leap into Hollywood. Her breakthrough came with Top Gun in 1986, where she played Carole Bradshaw, the wife of Nick “Goose” Bradshaw, portrayed by Anthony Edwards. The film’s success catapulted her into the limelight and led to other significant roles.
On the set of Top Gun, Meg Ryan and Anthony Edwards began dating and even moved in together. However, in 1987, Ryan’s path crossed with Dennis Quaid during the filming of Innerspace. Director Joe Dante shared, “She had already been in Top Gun but in a small part.
She also had the lead in a picture called Armed and Dangerous with John Candy. This was a great step up for her, and she met Dennis Quaid here, who would become her husband.”
Meg and Dennis fell head over heels and got married on February 14, 1991, in a ceremony held in their hotel room. Dennis Quaid described it as “like a thunderbolt,” saying, “Both of us felt, ‘This is it. We’re going to be together.’” Meg admitted she was “laughing and crying at the same time” and added, “I realized I could’ve never gotten married in front of a whole group of people.”
Her star continued to rise with the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally… where she played Sally Albright opposite Billy Crystal. Despite initial critical indifference, the film has become a cult classic and solidified Meg’s reputation as the queen of rom-coms.
In 1993, she teamed up with Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle. Once again, Meg captivated audiences, and the film was a major success. Nora Ephron, the film’s director, praised Ryan’s comic talent, saying, “I think her ‘cuteness’ sometimes blinds people to how genuinely gifted she is as a comic actress.”
Tom Hanks noted, “Meg is not perky; I always got the distinct impression that this woman is not to be messed around with.”
Despite her success, Meg faced challenges. She was the sixth choice for the role of Annie Reed in Sleepless in Seattle, with other big names like Julia Roberts and Michelle Pfeiffer passing on the role.
In 1996, Ryan ventured into darker territory with Courage Under Fire, a war drama where she starred alongside Denzel Washington and Matt Damon. The film was a success, and Ryan’s career seemed unstoppable. The same year, she starred in City of Angels with Nicolas Cage, which grossed nearly $200 million.
She also reunited with Tom Hanks for You’ve Got Mail, a film about two rivals who fall in love via email. The New York Times noted, “Ms. Ryan plays her role blithely and credibly this time, with an air of freshness, a minimum of cute fidgeting, and a lot of fond chemistry with Mr. Hanks.”
However, the 00s brought setbacks. After her 2000 film Proof of Life opposite Russell Crowe, rumors of an affair began circulating, coinciding with her announcement of separation from Dennis Quaid. This period was tumultuous, with tabloids highlighting her personal struggles.
Meg later revealed, “It was a great story. But what wasn’t in the story was the reality of my marriage for nine years. Dennis was not faithful to me for a long time, and that was very painful.”
Despite the public scrutiny, Meg maintained that her relationship with Russell Crowe didn’t cause her divorce, stating, “Russell didn’t break up the marriage. He was definitely there at the end, but it wasn’t his fault.” Dennis Quaid, however, felt differently, expressing his discontent with the constant rehashing of their past.
Even after their split, Meg and Dennis shared a bond through their son, Jack Quaid, born in 1992. Jack followed in his parents’ footsteps and began acting, making his debut in The Hunger Games. Meg took a break from acting for three years after her high-profile divorce to focus on family. In 2015, she directed Jack in Ithaca, reflecting their strong relationship.
In the mid-00s, Meg’s career faced challenges, leading her to adopt a baby girl, Daisy, from China in 2006. She shared with Redbook magazine, “I just really wanted a baby; I was on a mission to connect with somebody, and Daisy and I got to meet each other this way at this time. We are so compatible.”
Meg’s last major role came in 2008 in The Women. Afterward, she stepped away from acting, tried directing, and remained largely out of the spotlight. She told the New York Times in 2019, “I wasn’t as curious about acting as I was about other things that life can give you. I wanted to live more.”
Although she is rarely seen on the red carpet now, Meg Ryan stays active in other ventures, including writing romantic comedies and producing for NBC. She remains active on Instagram, engaging with her 600,000 followers and sharing her thoughts on life’s complexities.
She commented, “Like anything if it’s overindulged, then it’s a problem. But I appreciate hearing from—well, not everyone [laughs]—but hearing directly from people.”
According to a 2020 source, Meg Ryan might make a comeback, with plans to “conquer Hollywood once again.” It’s inspiring to see how she continues to create and leave a lasting impression, even as she evolves beyond her 90s stardom.
Thank you, Meg, for all the unforgettable memories, and best of luck in your future endeavors!
