Meg Ryan emerged as one of America’s beloved figures by portraying charming romantic leads during the 1980s and 1990s.
The enchanting actress, known for her signature blonde shag hairstyle, will forever be associated with iconic films such as Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail.
Although it was unexpected for Ryan’s popularity to wane, she stepped away from the film industry after 2018.
While the once-celebrated “girl next door” of the 90s has faded from public view, the 61-year-old Ryan recently made headlines with her appearance on the red carpet. I was not alone in my admiration for Meg Ryan during the 80s and 90s. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed star was a queen of romantic comedies and a true “America’s sweetheart.”
Her career shone brightly for two decades as a cherished figure in Hollywood.
It was surprising that Meg Ryan would achieve global fame.
Born in 1961, Ryan spent her childhood in Fairfield, Connecticut. Her father, Harry Hyra, was a Polish-born math teacher, while her mother, Susan Jordan, was both a teacher and an actress, suggesting that a flair for performance ran in the family.
After her parents’ divorce in 1976, when Meg was just 15, her relationship with them became strained.
Following several incidents, Meg lost contact with her mother. Upon joining the Screen Actors Guild, she adopted the surname “Ryan,” which was her grandmother’s maiden name.
As a young adult, Ryan pursued journalism at Connecticut and New York Universities, although her college experience did not lead to the transformative opportunities many anticipated.
To support herself, Meg began appearing in commercials and soap operas. Her talent caught the attention of producers after she was cast in As the World Turns.
Ryan eventually left college to focus on her entertainment career. She gained recognition in Top Gun, portraying the lively character Carole Bradshaw, the wife of Nick “Goose” Bradshaw. Following the success of the 1986 romantic action film, she secured more significant roles.
During the filming of Top Gun, she developed a romantic relationship with her co-star Anthony Edwards, who played her on-screen husband. The two dated and cohabited.
Ryan later starred alongside her future husband, Dennis Quaid, in the 1987 film Innerspace.
She had a minor role in Top Gun but later took the lead in the recent John Candy film, Armed and Dangerous.Dennis commented, “It felt like a lightning strike. We both realized, ‘This is the moment. We will be together.’”
The couple exchanged vows on Valentine’s Day in their hotel room, with Ryan’s mother not in attendance.
“I was both laughing and crying simultaneously,” she shared with the New York Post, “and I understood that I could never have married in front of a large crowd.”
Romantic Comedy Icon
Her rise to fame surged when she took on the lead role in the romantic comedy. In When Harry Met Sally…, Ryan portrayed Sally Albright alongside Billy Crystal. Although the film faced criticism upon release, it has since become a beloved classic in the rom-com genre.
This film solidified Meg Ryan’s reputation as the quintessential romantic comedy star. In 1993, she starred with Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle, another successful romantic comedy. Her endearing “girl-next-door” persona once again captivated audiences and received widespread acclaim.
Nora Ephron, the esteemed director, remarked in Vanity Fair in 1995, “I believe her ‘cuteness’ sometimes overshadows her genuine talent as a comedic actress.”
Tom Hanks also noted that Meg Ryan might differ from her characters in Nora Ephron’s films. Critics labeled her as “the current soul of the romantic comedy,” yet she possessed a multifaceted nature.
“Meg is not just bubbly; I always sensed that she is someone not to be trifled with,” the renowned actor observed in 1995.
Initially, she was not the obvious choice for the role of Annie Reed in Sleepless in Seattle, being the sixth option after Julia Roberts, Kim Basinger, and Michelle Pfeiffer turned down the role.
Exploring Darker Roles
Following the success of Sleepless in Seattle, Meg Ryan turned down the opportunity to star in The Silence of the Lambs. Instead, she chose to continue her trajectory in romantic comedies.
In 1996, the actress sought a new challenge. She took on a more serious role alongside Denzel Washington and Matt Damon in Courage Under Fire.
The 1996 film was a commercial success, further establishing Ryan’s prominence. The year 1998 marked one of her peak professional moments. In the romantic comedy City of Angels, featuring Nicolas Cage, another box office triumph was anticipated. Meg Ryan received accolades once more, and the film achieved significant financial success.Meg Ryan’s last significant role was in the 2008 comedy-drama The Women. Following this performance, she stepped away from acting and became less visible for a time.
It has been reported that she attempted directing with the film Ithaca but found it unfulfilling. In recent years, the once-celebrated star has made only brief appearances in acting roles.
In a 2019 interview with the New York Times, she expressed, “I was more interested in life’s other gifts than acting. I wanted to live more.” She acknowledged her discomfort with performing, stating, “I realized I had opportunities and could play certain music as an actor. Some things I could. I liked acting. It was enjoyable. But I was navigating acting.”
Current Status of Meg Ryan
Many are curious about Meg Ryan’s recent absence from the screen.
In my view, she appears much the same as she did when she first entered Hollywood; her image is forever linked to those delightful romantic comedies.
This connection is perhaps why I was surprised to see her today. Naturally, actresses age, and recent photographs reveal Meg Ryan at 61, still exuding beauty and talent. Presently, she is engaged in writing romantic comedies and producing shows for NBC.
In 2019, the former actress shared, “I’m also teeing myself up to direct, and I’m working on a fun e-commerce project with some of my friends.”
While Meg Ryan seldom graces the red carpet, she does make appearances at gala premieres.
Her Instagram account boasts nearly 600,000 followers.
Meg Ryan has commented on the challenges of overindulgence, stating, “But I appreciate hearing from—well, not everyone [laughs]—but hearing directly from people, because it allows for more complexity in understanding a person. Never black and white. Headlines never tell the whole story.”
A source close to her has indicated that a return to film is a possibility. A 2020 report from OK! Magazine suggested that Ryan is “ready to conquer Hollywood once again.” It is inspiring to see Meg Ryan today, still eager to contribute and make a difference.
While she may not regain the same level of fame she enjoyed in the 1990s, her remarkable films and romantic comedies have left a lasting impression on audiences.
