Meg Ryan (born November 19, 1961) is an American actress, producer and director. She began her acting career in 1981 when she made her acting debut in the drama film Rich and Famous. She later joined the cast of the CBS soap opera As the World Turns in 1982.
She began to appear in supporting roles in films during the mid-1980s like box office hit Top Gun, achieving recognition in independent films such as Promised Land (1987) before her performance in the Rob Reiner-directed romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... (1989) brought her widespread attention and her first Golden Globe nomination.
She subsequently established herself, both nationally and internationally, as one of the most successful actresses in the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly in romantic comedy films such as When Harry Met Sally (1989), Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), Prelude to a Kiss (1992), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), French Kiss (1995), You've Got Mail (1998), and Kate & Leopold (2001). Her other films include Top Gun (1986), Innerspace (1987), The Doors (1991), Anastasia (1997), When a Man Loves a Woman (1994), Courage Under Fire (1996), Addicted to Love (1997), City of Angels (1998), Proof of Life (2000), Against the Ropes (2004), and The Women (2008). In 2015, she made her directorial debut with Ithaca, in which she also starred.
In 1995, critic Richard Corliss called her "the current soul of romantic comedy." Multiple film critics and media outlets have cited Ryan as one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination.
She was married to actor Dennis Quaid (1991-2001), and they have a son, Jack. In 2000, Ryan became romantically involved with actor Russell Crowe while working on their film Proof of Life. In January 2006, Ryan adopted a 14-month-old girl from China whom she named Daisy True. She was in a relationship with American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp (2010-2014). They reunited in 2017, and announced their engagement on November 8, 2018. In October 2019, it was reported that Ryan had ended their engagement.
What Happens Later
Willa
2023
Parkinson at 50
Self (archive footage)
2021
The Kelly Clarkson Show
(1 episode)
2019
There's Something About Romcoms
Self
2016
Fan Girl
Mary Farrow
2015
Ithaca
Mrs. Macauley
2015
Everything Is Copy
Self
2015
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self · (1 episode)
2014
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide
Self
2012
Billy on the Street
Self · (1 episode)
2011
Web Therapy
Karen Sharpe · (2 episodes)
2011
Serious Moonlight
Louise
2009
The Deal
Deidre Hearn
2008
Web Therapy
Karen Sharpe · (3 episodes)
2008
The Women
Mary Haines
2008
My Mom's New Boyfriend
Marty Durand
2008
In the Land of Women
Sarah Hardwicke
2007
Biography: Val Kilmer
Self (archive footage)
2004
Against the Ropes
Jackie Kallen
2004
In the Cut
Frannie Avery
2003
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self · (1 episode)
2003
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
2003
The Terry and Gaby Show
(1 episode)
2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self · (1 episode)
2003
Searching for Debra Winger
Self
2002
Kate & Leopold
Kate McKay
2001
The Concert for New York City
Self
2001
How Harry Met Sally…
Self (archive footage)
2001
Proof of Life
Alice Bowman
2000
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Meg Ryan · (1 episode)
2000
Hanging Up
Eve Mozell Marks
2000
Hurlyburly
Bonnie
1998
You've Got Mail
Kathleen Kelly
1998
City of Angels
Maggie Rice
1998
The Entertainment Biz
Self · (1 episode)
1998
Parkinson
Self · (1 episode)
1998
Anastasia
Anastasia (voice)
1997
The View
Self · (1 episode)
1997
Addicted to Love
Maggie
1997
E! True Hollywood Story
(1 episode)
1996
Courage Under Fire
Captain Karen Emma Walden
1996
Rabbit Ears - Little Red Riding Hood/Goldilocks
Narrator (voice)
1990
Good Sex
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1996
Restoration
Katharine
1995
French Kiss
Kate
1995
I.Q.
Catherine Boyd
1994
Inside the Actors Studio
Self · (1 episode)
1994
When a Man Loves a Woman
Alice Green
1994
Flesh and Bone
Kay Davies
1993
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1993
Sleepless in Seattle
Annie Reed
1993
Prelude to a Kiss
Rita Boyle
1992
The Doors
Pamela Courson
1991
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Dr. Blight (voice) · (10 episodes)
1990
Joe Versus the Volcano
DeDe / Angelica / Patricia Graynamore
1990
The Simpsons
Dr. Swanson (voice) · (1 episode)
1989
When Harry Met Sally...
Sally Albright
1989
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
(1 episode)
1988
The Presidio
Donna Caldwell
1988
D.O.A.
Sydney Fuller
1988
Promised Land
Bev Sykes
1988
Innerspace
Lydia Maxwell
1987
Armed and Dangerous
Maggie Cavanaugh
1986
Top Gun
Carole
1986
Wildside
Cally Oaks · (6 episodes)
1985
Charles in Charge
Meagan Parker · (2 episodes)
1984
Amityville 3-D
Lisa
1983
Nature
Host · (1 episode)
1982
Amy and the Angel
Denise
1982
One of the Boys
Jane · (13 episodes)
1982
Rich and Famous
Debby Blake, 18 Years
1981
The Oscars
Self - Presenter · (3 episodes)
1953
How I Met Your Dad
Future Sally Javits · (1 episode)
Bambi-Verleihung
Self · (1 episode)
1948