Meg Ryan Biography: Movies, TV Shows, Age, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Siblings, Husband, Children, Awards

Meg Ryan, born Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra, was a prominent American actress during the late 1980s and 1990s.

Her portrayal of Sally Albright in the 1989 romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally…” garnered widespread acclaim, establishing her as a leading actress in the genre.

Beyond acting, she expanded her repertoire to include directing, showcasing her versatility within the film industry.

Profile

• Full name: Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra
• Nickname: Meg Ryan
• Date of birth: November 19, 1961
• Age: 64 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Fairfield, Connecticut, USA
• State of origin: Connecticut
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Actress, Director
• Height: 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm)
• Parents: Father: Harry Hyra, Mother: Susan Jordan (née Duggan)
• Siblings: Brother: Andrew Hyra, Sisters: Dana Hyra, Annie Hyra
• Spouse: Dennis Quaid (m. 1991; div. 2001)
• Children: Jack Quaid, Daisy True Ryan
• Relationship status: Single
• Religion: Catholic
• Ethnicity: Polish (paternal), Irish (maternal)
• Net worth: $85 million

Early Life and Education

Now at the age of 64, Meg Ryan was born on November 19, 1961, in Fairfield, Connecticut, to Susan Jordan, a former actress and English teacher, and Harry Hyra, a math teacher. Raised in a Catholic household, she grew up alongside her two sisters, Dana and Annie, and her brother, Andrew Hyra, who later became a musician.

Her father’s Polish heritage and her mother’s Irish roots contributed to her diverse ethnic background. In 1976, when Meg was 15, her parents divorced, an event that shaped much of her adolescent experience.

She attended St. Pius X Elementary School before graduating from Bethel High School in 1979. Pursuing higher education, Meg enrolled at the University of Connecticut and later transferred to New York University to study journalism. During her time at NYU, she began acting in television commercials and the soap opera “As the World Turns” to earn extra income.

Personal Life

In 1991, Meg Ryan married actor Dennis Quaid after meeting on the set of “Innerspace.” The couple welcomed their son, Jack Quaid, in 1992.

However, their marriage faced challenges, leading to their divorce in 2001. In 2006, Meg expanded her family by adopting a daughter, Daisy True Ryan, from China.

Career

Meg Ryan‘s acting career commenced with her debut in the 1981 film “Rich and Famous.” She gained early recognition portraying Betsy Stewart in the soap opera “As the World Turns” from 1982 to 1984.

Her role as Carole Bradshaw in the 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun” further elevated her profile. However, it was her performance in “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989) that established her as a leading actress in romantic comedies.

Throughout the 1990s, Meg starred in several successful films, including “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993), “French Kiss” (1995), and “You’ve Got Mail” (1998).

In 2015, she made her directorial debut with “Ithaca,” showcasing her versatility in the film industry. After a hiatus, Meg returned to the screen in 2023 with the romantic comedy “What Happens Later,” which she also directed.

Awards and Nominations

• Nominated for Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989)
• Nominated for Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993)
• Nominated for Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for “You’ve Got Mail” (1998)
• Received Harvard Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year Award (1994)
• Received Women in Film Crystal Award (1995)

Net Worth

Meg Ryan‘s net worth is estimated at $85 million, accumulated through her successful acting career, directorial ventures, and endorsements.

Controversy

Meg Ryan‘s alleged affair with Russell Crowe became a highly publicized scandal, particularly because it coincided with the breakdown of her marriage to Dennis Quaid.

Although the media largely blamed Ryan for the split, she later revealed in interviews that her marriage to Quaid had already been troubled before she met Crowe. This controversy led to a shift in the public’s perception of Ryan, impacting her previously wholesome and romantic-comedy-friendly image.

Another significant controversy in Ryan‘s career stemmed from her 2003 interview with British journalist Michael Parkinson. During the interview, Ryan appeared disinterested and gave short, dismissive responses, leading to an awkward and tense exchange.

The interview was widely criticized, with Parkinson later describing it as one of his most difficult interviews. Ryan later explained that she had been going through a rough time in her personal life, which affected her demeanor.

Social Media

• Instagram: @megryan
• X: @MegRyan

Filmography

Movies:

• Rich and Famous (1981) – Debut film
• Top Gun (1986) – Carole Bradshaw
• Innerspace (1987) – Lydia Maxwell
• D.O.A. (1988) – Sydney Fuller
• When Harry Met Sally… (1989) – Sally Albright
• Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) – DeDe/Angelica/Patricia
• The Doors (1991) – Pamela Courson
• Prelude to a Kiss (1992) – Rita Boyle
• Sleepless in Seattle (1993) – Annie Reed
• Flesh and Bone (1993) – Kay Davies
• I.Q. (1994) – Catherine Boyd
• French Kiss (1995) – Kate
• Courage Under Fire (1996) – Captain Karen Walden
• Addicted to Love (1997) – Maggie
• Anastasia (1997) – Voice of Anastasia (Animated)
• City of Angels (1998) – Dr. Maggie Rice
• You’ve Got Mail (1998) – Kathleen Kelly
• Hanging Up (2000) – Eve Mozell Marks
• Proof of Life (2000) – Alice Bowman
• Kate & Leopold (2001) – Kate McKay
• In the Cut (2003) – Frannie Avery
• Against the Ropes (2004) – Jackie Kallen
• The Women (2008) – Mary Haines
• Serious Moonlight (2009) – Louise
• Ithaca (2015) – Helen Macauley (also directed)
• What Happens Later (2023) – Willa (also directed)

Television:

• As the World Turns (1982–1984) – Betsy Stewart
• Wildside (1985) – Cally Oaks
• The Simpsons (2009) – Voice of Dr. Swanson (Guest role)
• Web Therapy (2013) – Kara West (Guest role)