Many of us look back over the decades of media that we have been watching and there are certain people that just seem to stand out. One of them is Meg Ryan, someone who is often referred to as one of America’s sweethearts.
Meg Ryan was a super big name during the 80s and 90s, when she played in some of the most romantic movies of the time. Her short haircut and her role in iconic movies, such as You Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle, will never be forgotten.
Like many stars, there was a time when Meg Ryan would step away from the limelight. She decided to do so gracefully, but recently the 61-year-old artist stepped back on the red carpet. People were surprised by what they saw.
Many of us who remember Meg Ryan from the 80s and 90s probably had a crush on her. She was loved as an actress, but she was also loved by people around the world.
Meg was born in Fairfield, Connecticut in 1961. Her father was a math teacher and her mother was also a teacher, but she did have some acting experience.
When they split up in 1976, Meg was only 15 years old. She also had a tense relationship with her parents as her life went on. After a number of stressful events, she cut ties with her mother and she decided to change her surname to Ryan, which was the maiden name of her grandmother.
She studied at the University of Connecticut and ended up at New York University. It was something that did change her direction in life.
At some point, she needed to earn some extra money so she started starring in soap operas and TV commercials. It wasn’t long before her talent was recognized and she dropped out of college.
She was able to get a role in Top Gun, which was the highest-grossing film in 1986. That role led her to other roles, and she quickly was known for her interest in family-friendly, romantic movies.
Interestingly, however, Meg Ryan has said in the past that she wanted to do other roles but she was typecast into that mold.
Meg Ryan married Dennis Quaid on February 14, 1991. They had a ceremony in their hotel room and her mother wasn’t invited. It made her laugh and cry at the same time.
When she landed the lead role in When Harry Met Sally, she really broke into the movie scene. Eventually, she played the girl next door in Sleepless in Seattle with Tom Hanks in 1993.
Tom Hanks said some things about Meg Ryan, such as the fact that she was a gifted actress. He said that she was not perky, however, and he got the ‘distinct impression that this woman is not to be messed around with.’
After starring in Sleepless in Seattle, she did try some darker roles but they were not as popular. She ended up coming back with Tom Hanks in You Got Mail, and received a third Golden Globe Award nomination as a result.
Eventually, Ryan ended up having problems in her marriage with Dennis Quaid and started dating Russell Crowe. In speaking of the marriage, she said: “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. I found out more about that once I was divorced.”
She certainly has had a long and interesting career. She has raised a family and has stepped away from the limelight in order to be who she wants to be.
We may not see her very often, but even at 61, she still has the ability to turn heads.