Meg Ryan
| Meg Ryan | |
|---|---|
 Ryan at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival |
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| Born | Margaret Mary Emily Hyra November 19, 1961 Fairfield, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Spouse | Dennis Quaid (1991–2001) |
Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra (born November 19, 1961), professionally known as Meg Ryan, is an American film actress. She had lead roles in six films, When Harry Met Sally..., Sleepless in Seattle, French Kiss, City of Angels, Addicted to Love and You've Got Mail whose total gross was over $870 million worldwide.[1] In 1995, critic Richard Corliss called her "the current soul of romantic comedy."[2] She had leads in several romantic comedies, including When Harry Met Sally... (1989), Sleepless in Seattle (1993) and You've Got Mail (1998). In addition to these romantic comedy roles, she garnered critical acclaim for her work in When a Man Loves a Woman (1994), in which she played an alcoholic, and in Courage Under Fire (1996), portraying a captain in the Gulf War.
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Early life
Ryan was born in Fairfield, Connecticut, the daughter of Susan Hyra Jordan – a former actress and English teacher – and Harry Hyra, a math teacher.[3][4] Ryan's mother had appeared in one television commercial and later worked briefly as an assistant casting director in New York City. She supported and encouraged her young daughter's study of acting. Ryan has two sisters, Dana and Annie, and a brother, musician Andrew Hyra, of the band Billy Pilgrim.
Ryan was raised a Roman Catholic[5] and graduated from Saint Pius X Elementary School, in Fairfield, where her mother taught sixth grade. There, Ryan was confirmed into the Catholic Church, choosing the name "Anne" as her confirmation name. Ryan graduated from Bethel High School in 1979. She went on to study journalism at the University of Connecticut and then at New York University, while acting in television commercials to earn extra money. Her success as an actress led her to drop out of college a semester before graduating.
Early career
At age eighteen, 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 Flight Officer "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 soon-to-be husband, Dennis Quaid. Ryan then appeared in a film-noir remake (D.O.A.) and an action film (The Presidio).
Films
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. (The first was in Joe Versus the Volcano, which earned a "cult following" but was a critical and commercial disappointment.)
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."[2] 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 and 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. That same year, Ryan starred opposite Diane Keaton in the comedy, Hanging Up, which received poor reviews, and grossed slightly over $51 million; however, the budget for the film was $60 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, Michael Parkinson had a controversial interview[6][7] with Meg Ryan while she was in the United Kingdom to promote In the Cut, their disagreement focusing around romance, love, and sex and their differing perceptions of the film and its themes. He said it was his most difficult television moment.[8]
Recent projects
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.[9][10] 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. Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett and Candice Bergen also starred in the remake.[11]
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 was the 2009 comedy Serious Moonlight.
In June 2009, it was reported that Ryan will guest star on the seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm.[12]
Marriage and children
Ryan 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.[2] 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.[13]
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.[14]
In January 2006, Ryan adopted a 14-month-old girl from China named Daisy True.[15]
Political involvement
Ryan has supported the U.S. Democratic 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.[16]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Rich and Famous | Debby Blake, 18 years | George Cukor film |
| 1983 | Amityville 3-D | Lisa | Richard Fleischer film |
| 1986 | Top Gun | Carol Bradshaw | Tony Scott film |
| 1986 | Armed and Dangerous | Maggie Cavanaugh | |
| 1987 | Promised Land | Beverly 'Bev' Sykes | First film to be commissioned by the Sundance Film Festival Nominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead |
| 1987 | Innerspace | Lydia Maxwell | Joe Dante film |
| 1988 | D.O.A. | Sydney Fuller | |
| 1988 | The Presidio | Donna Caldwell | Peter Hyams film |
| 1989 | When Harry Met Sally... | Sally Albright | Rob Reiner film Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy |
| 1990 | Joe Versus the Volcano | DeDe/Angelica Graynamore/Patricia Graynamore | John Patrick Shanley film |
| 1991 | The Doors | Pamela Courson | Oliver Stone film |
| 1992 | Prelude to a Kiss | Rita Boyle | Norman René film |
| 1993 | Sleepless in Seattle | Annie Reed | Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy |
| 1993 | Flesh and Bone | Kay Davies | Steve Kloves film |
| 1994 | When a Man Loves a Woman | Alice Green | Nominated - Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role - Motion Picture |
| 1994 | I.Q. | Catherine Boyd | Fred Schepisi film |
| 1995 | French Kiss | Kate | Lawrence Kasdan film Also Producer |
| 1995 | Restoration | Katharine | |
| 1996 | Courage Under Fire | CPT Karen Emma Walden | Edward Zwick film |
| 1997 | Addicted to Love | Maggie | Griffin Dunne film |
| 1997 | Anastasia | Anastasia (voice) | |
| 1998 | City of Angels | Dr. Maggie Rice | |
| 1998 | Hurlyburly | Bonnie | Play adaptation |
| 1998 | You've Got Mail | Kathleen Kelly | Nora Ephron film Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy |
| 2000 | Hanging Up | Eve Mozell Marks | Diane Keaton film |
| 2000 | Proof of Life | Alice Bowman | Taylor Hackford film |
| 2001 | Kate & Leopold | Kate McKay | James Mangold film |
| 2003 | In the Cut | Frannie | Jane Campion film |
| 2004 | Against the Ropes | Jackie Kallen | |
| 2007 | In the Land of Women | Sarah Hardwicke | Jon Kasdan film |
| 2008 | The Deal | Deidre Heam | Steven Schachter film |
| 2008 | My Mom's New Boyfriend | Martha Durand | Limited international release |
| 2008 | The Women | Mary Haines | Diane English film. |
| 2009 | Serious Moonlight | Louise "Lou" | Cheryl Hines film. Theatrical release date December 2009. |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | As the World Turns | Betsy Stewart Montgomery Andropoulos | |
| 1982 | ABC Afterschool Special | Denise | Episode 'Amy and the Angel' |
| 1982 | One of the Boys | Jane | Series cancelled after 13 episodes |
| 1984-85 | Charles in Charge | Meagan Parker | 2 episodes |
| 1985 | Wildside | Cally Oaks | 6 episodes |
| 1990-91 | Captain Planet and the Planeteers | Dr. Blight (voice) | Cast member |
| 2007 | The Simpsons | Dr. Swanson | 1 episode 'Yokel Chords' |
| 2009 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Herself | Season 7 |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | A Century of Cinema | Herself | Documentary with film personalities. |
| 2002 | Searching for Debra Winger | Herself | Rosanna Arquette film |
References
- ↑ "Meg Ryan from". The Numbers. http://www.the-numbers.com/people/MRYAN.php. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Star Lite, Star Bright. a May 22, 1995 Time magazine article
- ↑ Graham, Caroline, Meg and Dennis: It's All Over, You
- ↑ "Meg Ryan Biography". FilmReference.com. http://www.filmreference.com/film/43/Meg-Ryan.html. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ↑ "Davidson, Sara, Meg Ryan: Isn't She Romantic?, ''Reader's Digest''. February 2002". Rd.com. http://www.rd.com/content/meg-ryan/3/. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ↑ Michael Parkinson interviews Meg Ryan - part 1 from YouTube
- ↑ Michael Parkinson interviews Meg Ryan - part 2 from YouTube
- ↑ Mcginty, Stephen. "Parkinson comments on interview". Business.scotsman.com. http://business.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=598&id=521652006. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ↑ Laporte, Nicole. "Macy Gets 'Deal:' Actor Co-Wrote Ryan Starrer" Variety. 13 February 2007.
- ↑ More Than You Know [1] at IMDB
- ↑ Schwartz, Missy. "Wonder 'Women.'" Entertainment Weekly. 15 June 2007.
- ↑ Meg Ryan to guest star on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Entertainment Weekly. 19 June 2009
- ↑ "Meg's Back — Public Pain". Instyle.com. 2008-09-16. http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20219137_20227125_20510786,00.html. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ↑ Silverman, Stephen M. (2001-06-27). "Meg Dumped Russell, Not Vice-Versa — Meg Ryan, Russell Crowe". People.com. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,622104,00.html. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ↑ "Meg Ryan Adopts a Girl — Birth, Meg Ryan". People.com. 2006-01-25. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1152861,00.html. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ↑ "Bon Jovi hosts million fundraiser for John Kerry". USA Today. 2004-06-15. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-06-14-bonjovi-fundraiser_x.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
External links
- Meg Ryan at the Internet Movie Database
- Meg Ryan at TV.com