Meg Ryan was born on November 19, 1961, and is a legendary American actress who started with “Rich and Famous” in 1981. In 1982, she was also cast in the C.B.S. sitcom “As the World Turns.” Afterward, she was known for her roles in movie franchises like “Top Gun” and other films like “Promised Land” in 1987, before achieving global fame with “When Harry Met Sally” in 1989. She then followed it up with numerous other iconic movies. Join us as we celebrate her birthday right here!
Fast Facts
Full Name:
Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra
Nickname:
Meg Ryan
Birth date:
November 19, 1961
Age:
62 years, 4 months
Zodiac Sign:
Scorpio
Height:
5' 9"
Relationship Status:
Engaged
Net Worth:
$85.0 million
Background
Meg Ryan was born on November 19, 1961, and was raised in Fairfield, Connecticut. She was born to former actress-teacher Susan Jordan and mathematics teacher Harry Hyra. She went to the local St. Pius X Elementary School and has two sisters, Annie and Dana, along with a brother, Andrew Hyra, who is a musician and member of the Billy Pilgrim band. Her parents split in 1976 when she was only 15 years old. She graduated in 1979 from Bethel High School and studied at the University of Connecticut and then at New York University. She acted in T.V. commercials and starred in the soap opera “As the World Turns” in college for extra income. However, she left college before graduating. She took her grandmother’s maiden name, Ryan, upon joining the Screen Actors Guild.Ryan debuted in “Rich and Famous” in 1981, followed by “As the World Turns” from 1982 to 1984 as Betsy Stewart. Multiple T.V. shows and smaller movie roles came about during this period. She appeared in “Top Gun” in 1986, along with several other films. She had her breakout leading role in 1989 with “When Harry Met Sally,” where she earned a Golden Globe nomination for the role in this movie. In 1993, she had another mega-hit with the movie “Sleepless in Seattle.” She also worked with Tom Hanks in “You’ve Got Mail.” Ryan also played a different role in the 1994 film “When a Man Loves a Woman.” Another success was “French Kiss” in 1995 and then the 1998 film “City of Angels.” Her 2001 movie “Kate & Leopold” with Hugh Jackman was successful, while she worked in different movies like “In the Cut” and “Against the Ropes.” She also appeared in independent films such as “In the Land of Women” in 2007 and “The Deal” in 2008. Ryan also starred in several independent movies thereafter. She also worked in several productions from 2010 onwards and was featured in “Half the Sky” in 2012. She debuted as a director with “Ithaca” in 2015.Ryan married Dennis Quaid, an actor, on February 14, 1991. They have a child together, Jack Quaid, but got divorced in 2001. She was once romantically linked to Russell Crowe in 2000. She adopted a 14-month-old girl, Daisy True, in 2006. She has been in an on-and-off relationship with American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp over the years.
Career timeline
Ryan makes her debut in “Rich and Famous.”
She stars in “As the World Turns” as Betsy Stewart.
She appears in “When Harry Met Sally,” where her first leading role is also her breakout role.
She debuts as a director in “Ithaca.”
Meg Ryan FAQs
How did Meg Ryan get her name?
She shortened her name while joining the industry and took her maternal grandmother’s maiden name ‘Ryan.’
Which actor has a crush on Meg Ryan?
Actor Adam Scott has confessed to having a huge crush on Ryan.
Who is Meg Ryan with now?
Ryan has been in an on-and-off relationship with American singer and songwriter Mellencamp. They even announced an engagement in 2018 although nothing official has taken place till now.
5 Surprising Facts
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She was a natural heartbreaker
Ryan’s signature trout pout made her the ‘cutest’ girl in school, and her classmates voted her as the homecoming queen in her senior year in high school.
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She married Quaid on Valentine’s Day
She began dating Quaid in 1988, and they wed on Valentine’s Day in 1991.
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She was the last choice
After considering four actors, "When Harry Met Sally" director Rob Steiner initially intended someone other than Ryan to play the lead role.
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She has three Golden Globe nominations
She has won three Golden Globe nominations for her pioneering movies: “When Harry Met Sally” (1989), “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993), and “You’ve Got Mail” (1998).
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Her first audition was in 1981
Her first movie audition was for “Endless Love.”
Why We Love Meg Ryan
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She is a talented actress
There is no denying Ryan’s talent and her acting prowess. She brings something special to all her roles.
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She inspired an entire generation
As America’s sweetheart, she inspired a whole generation of women. In the literal sense, she also inspired ladies in the late ‘90s to try her trademark pixie cut.
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She is a self-made star
Ryan has always been a self-made star. She has inspired everyone to dream big.
Meg Ryan’s birthday dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | November 19 | Saturday |
| 2023 | November 19 | Sunday |
| 2024 | November 19 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | November 19 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | November 19 | Thursday |
