Meg Ryan solidified her status as one of America’s beloved sweethearts with her endearing performances in iconic romantic leads throughout the 80s and 90s.
With her charming persona and signature blond shag haircut, she will forever be remembered for her unforgettable roles in beloved films like Sleepless In Seattle and You’ve Got Mail.
At that time, it seemed unimaginable that Ryan’s star would fade, but after 2018, she mysteriously vanished from the big screen.
Today, the girl next door from the 90s prefers to stay out of the limelight. However, the now 61-year-old Ryan recently made a surprising appearance on the red carpet, causing quite a stir. And I can’t be the only one who had a crush on Meg Ryan in the 80s and 90s. With her blonde hair and blue eyes, she was the undisputed queen of romantic comedies, earning her the title of “America’s sweetheart.”
For two decades, Ryan’s star burned brightly as one of the most beloved actresses in Hollywood.
But her global recognition was far from guaranteed. Born in 1961, Ryan grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut. Her father, Harry Hyra, was of Polish descent and a math teacher, while her mother, Susan Jordan, was a teacher and former actress. Acting ran in the family. However, Ryan’s parents divorced when she was just 15 years old, and her relationship with them became strained later in life.
In fact, a series of events led to Ryan severing ties with her mother. She also decided to change her surname to “Ryan,” her grandmother’s maiden name, when she registered with the Screen Actors Guild.
As a young woman, Ryan initially pursued a degree in journalism at the University of Connecticut and later at New York University. However, her college years took an unexpected turn that would change her life. To earn extra money, Ryan started acting in TV commercials and soap operas. Soon enough, her talent caught the attention of producers, leading to her role in As the World Turns.
Ryan made the decision to drop out of college and embark on a career in the entertainment industry. Her breakthrough came in the blockbuster Top Gun, where she portrayed Carole Bradshaw, the wife of Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (played by Anthony Edwards).
This romantic action film became the highest-grossing movie of 1986 and opened doors to larger roles for Meg Ryan.
During her time on the set of Top Gun, Ryan found love with her co-star and on-screen husband, Anthony Edwards. The couple dated and eventually moved in together. In 1987, Ryan starred alongside her future husband, Dennis Quaid, in the science fiction film Innerspace.
“She had already appeared in ‘Top Gun’ but in a small part. She also had the lead in a film called ‘Armed and Dangerous’ with John Candy that had recently been released. But this was a significant step up for her, and of course, she met Dennis and later they got married,” said director Joe Dante, as reported by Cinema Retro.
Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid fell in love instantly and tied the knot on February 14, 1991. It was a whirlwind romance. “It was like a thunderbolt,” Dennis said. “Both of us felt, ‘This is it. We’re going to be together.'” Their wedding ceremony took place in the couple’s hotel room on Valentine’s Day, with Ryan’s mother absent.
“I was laughing and crying at the same time,” she told the New York Post, adding, “And I realized I could never have gotten married in front of a whole group of people.”
Her reign as the queen of romantic comedies began when she landed the lead role in When Harry Met.
