Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan (born November 19, 1961) is an American actress, producer and director. She began her acting career in 1981 when she made her acting debut in the drama film Rich and Famous. She later joined the cast of the CBS soap opera As the World Turns in 1982. She began to appear in supporting roles in films during the mid-1980s like box office hit Top Gun, achieving recognition in independent films such as Promised Land (1987) before her performance in the Rob Reiner-directed romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... (1989) brought her widespread attention and her first Golden Globe nomination. She subsequently established herself, both nationally and internationally, as one of the most successful actresses in the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly in romantic comedy films such as When Harry Met Sally (1989), Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), Prelude to a Kiss (1992), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), French Kiss (1995), You've Got Mail (1998), and Kate & Leopold (2001). Her other films include Top Gun (1986), Innerspace (1987),  The Doors (1991), Anastasia (1997), When a Man Loves a Woman (1994), Courage Under Fire (1996), Addicted to Love (1997), City of Angels (1998), Proof of Life (2000), Against the Ropes (2004), and The Women (2008). In 2015, she made her directorial debut with Ithaca, in which she also starred. In 1995, critic Richard Corliss called her "the current soul of romantic comedy." Multiple film critics and media outlets have cited Ryan as one of the best ...

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Kate & Leopold (2001)

RomanticCharmingDramaticFantastical

When her scientist ex-boyfriend discovers a portal to travel through time -- and brings back a 19th-century nobleman named Leopold to prove it -- a skeptical Kate reluctantly takes responsibility for showing Leopold the 21st century. The more time Kate spends with ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Mangold
CAST:  Meg Ryan  •  Hugh Jackman  •  Liev Schreiber  •  Breckin Meyer

When her scientist ex-boyfriend discovers a portal to travel through time -- and brings back a 19th-century nobleman named Leopold to prove it -- a skeptical Kate reluctantly takes responsibility for showing Leopold the 21st century. The more time Kate spends with ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Mangold
CAST:  Meg Ryan  •  Hugh Jackman  •  Liev Schreiber  •  Breckin Meyer

Searching for Debra Winger (2002)

Rosanna Arquette talks to various actresses about the pressures they face as women working in the entertainment industry.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rosanna Arquette
CAST:  Patricia Arquette  •  Rosanna Arquette  •  Emmanuelle Béart  •  Katrin Cartlidge

Rosanna Arquette talks to various actresses about the pressures they face as women working in the entertainment industry.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rosanna Arquette
CAST:  Patricia Arquette  •  Rosanna Arquette  •  Emmanuelle Béart  •  Katrin Cartlidge

Against the Ropes (2004)

A fictional story inspired by North America's most famous female boxing promoter, Jackie Kallen. Her struggle to survive and succeed in a male dominated sport.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles S. Dutton
CAST:  Meg Ryan  •  Tony Shalhoub  •  Joe Cortese  •  Kerry Washington

A fictional story inspired by North America's most famous female boxing promoter, Jackie Kallen. Her struggle to survive and succeed in a male dominated sport.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles S. Dutton
CAST:  Meg Ryan  •  Tony Shalhoub  •  Joe Cortese  •  Kerry Washington

Anastasia (1997)

CharmingEnjoyableMusicalWhimsical

In this animated, optimistic retelling of one of the greatest myths in history, the evil wizard Rasputin puts a hex on the royal Romanovs and young Anastasia is lost when their palace is overrun. Ten years later, the Grand Duchess offers a reward for Anastasia's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Don Bluth  •  Gary Goldman
CAST:  John Cusack  •  Meg Ryan  •  Kelsey Grammer  •  Christopher Lloyd

In this animated, optimistic retelling of one of the greatest myths in history, the evil wizard Rasputin puts a hex on the royal Romanovs and young Anastasia is lost when their palace is overrun. Ten years later, the Grand Duchess offers a reward for Anastasia's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Don Bluth  •  Gary Goldman
CAST:  John Cusack  •  Meg Ryan  •  Kelsey Grammer  •  Christopher Lloyd

Armed and Dangerous (1986)

After policeman Frank Dooley is framed for theft and loses his job on the force, he joins a security guard agency and teams up with inept former defense lawyer Norman Kane. When the two botch a job guarding a local warehouse, they begin to uncover corruption within ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mark L. Lester
CAST:  John Candy  •  Eugene Levy  •  Robert Loggia  •  Meg Ryan

After policeman Frank Dooley is framed for theft and loses his job on the force, he joins a security guard agency and teams up with inept former defense lawyer Norman Kane. When the two botch a job guarding a local warehouse, they begin to uncover corruption within ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mark L. Lester
CAST:  John Candy  •  Eugene Levy  •  Robert Loggia  •  Meg Ryan

City of Angels (1998)

When guardian angel Seth - who invisibly watches over the citizens of Los Angeles - becomes captivated by Maggie, a strong-willed heart surgeon, he ponders trading in his pure, otherworldly existence for a mortal life with his beloved. The couple embarks on a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brad Silberling
CAST:  Nicolas Cage  •  Meg Ryan  •  Andre Braugher  •  Dennis Franz

When guardian angel Seth - who invisibly watches over the citizens of Los Angeles - becomes captivated by Maggie, a strong-willed heart surgeon, he ponders trading in his pure, otherworldly existence for a mortal life with his beloved. The couple embarks on a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brad Silberling
CAST:  Nicolas Cage  •  Meg Ryan  •  Andre Braugher  •  Dennis Franz

Courage Under Fire (1996)

Dramatic

A US Army officer, who made a "friendly fire" mistake that was covered up, has been reassigned to a desk job. He is tasked to investigate a female chopper commander's worthiness to be awarded the Medal of Honor. At first all seems in order. But then he begins to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Edward Zwick
CAST:  Denzel Washington  •  Meg Ryan  •  Lou Diamond Phillips  •  Matt Damon

A US Army officer, who made a "friendly fire" mistake that was covered up, has been reassigned to a desk job. He is tasked to investigate a female chopper commander's worthiness to be awarded the Medal of Honor. At first all seems in order. But then he begins to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Edward Zwick
CAST:  Denzel Washington  •  Meg Ryan  •  Lou Diamond Phillips  •  Matt Damon

Flesh and Bone (1993)

Some thirty years after Arlis witnesses his father murdering a family, he runs into Kay, who happens to be the family's baby who was spared. Kay and Arlis suspect nothing about each other, but when his father returns, old wounds are reopened.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steve Kloves
CAST:  Meg Ryan  •  Dennis Quaid  •  James Caan  •  Gwyneth Paltrow

Some thirty years after Arlis witnesses his father murdering a family, he runs into Kay, who happens to be the family's baby who was spared. Kay and Arlis suspect nothing about each other, but when his father returns, old wounds are reopened.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steve Kloves
CAST:  Meg Ryan  •  Dennis Quaid  •  James Caan  •  Gwyneth Paltrow

French Kiss (1995)

After her fiancee admits to infidelity while on a business trip in France, a woman attempts to get her lover back and marry him by traveling to Paris despite her crippling fear of flying. On the way she unwittingly smuggles something of value that has a charming ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lawrence Kasdan
CAST:  Meg Ryan  •  Kevin Kline  •  Timothy Hutton  •  Jean Reno

After her fiancee admits to infidelity while on a business trip in France, a woman attempts to get her lover back and marry him by traveling to Paris despite her crippling fear of flying. On the way she unwittingly smuggles something of value that has a charming ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lawrence Kasdan
CAST:  Meg Ryan  •  Kevin Kline  •  Timothy Hutton  •  Jean Reno

I.Q. (1994)

Albert Einstein helps a young man who's in love with Einstein's niece to catch her attention by pretending temporarily to be a great physicist.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Fred Schepisi
CAST:  Tim Robbins  •  Meg Ryan  •  Walter Matthau  •  Lou Jacobi

Albert Einstein helps a young man who's in love with Einstein's niece to catch her attention by pretending temporarily to be a great physicist.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Fred Schepisi
CAST:  Tim Robbins  •  Meg Ryan  •  Walter Matthau  •  Lou Jacobi

Innerspace (1987)

Test pilot Tuck Pendleton volunteers to test a special vessel for a miniaturization experiment. Accidentally injected into a neurotic hypochondriac, Jack Putter, Tuck must convince Jack to find his ex-girlfriend, Lydia Maxwell, to help him extract Tuck and his ship ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Dante
CAST:  Martin Short  •  Dennis Quaid  •  Meg Ryan  •  Kevin McCarthy

Test pilot Tuck Pendleton volunteers to test a special vessel for a miniaturization experiment. Accidentally injected into a neurotic hypochondriac, Jack Putter, Tuck must convince Jack to find his ex-girlfriend, Lydia Maxwell, to help him extract Tuck and his ship ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Dante
CAST:  Martin Short  •  Dennis Quaid  •  Meg Ryan  •  Kevin McCarthy

Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)

Hypochondriac Joe Banks finds out he has six months to live, quits his dead end job, musters the courage to ask his co-worker out on a date, and is then hired to jump into a volcano by a mysterious visitor.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Patrick Shanley
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Meg Ryan  •  Lloyd Bridges  •  Dan Hedaya

Hypochondriac Joe Banks finds out he has six months to live, quits his dead end job, musters the courage to ask his co-worker out on a date, and is then hired to jump into a volcano by a mysterious visitor.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Patrick Shanley
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Meg Ryan  •  Lloyd Bridges  •  Dan Hedaya

Proof of Life (2000)

GrippingBrilliantThrillingIntense

Alice hires a professional negotiator to obtain the release of her engineer husband, who has been kidnapped by anti-government guerrillas in South America.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Taylor Hackford
CAST:  Meg Ryan  •  Russell Crowe  •  David Morse  •  Pamela Reed

Alice hires a professional negotiator to obtain the release of her engineer husband, who has been kidnapped by anti-government guerrillas in South America.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Taylor Hackford
CAST:  Meg Ryan  •  Russell Crowe  •  David Morse  •  Pamela Reed

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

RomanticCharmingCuteEnjoyable

When Sam Baldwin's wife dies, he is left to bring up his eight-year-old son Jonah alone, and decides to move to Seattle to make a new start. On Christmas Eve, Jonah rings a radio phone-in with his Christmas wish to find a new wife for his dad. Meanwhile in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nora Ephron
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Meg Ryan  •  Bill Pullman  •  Ross Malinger

When Sam Baldwin's wife dies, he is left to bring up his eight-year-old son Jonah alone, and decides to move to Seattle to make a new start. On Christmas Eve, Jonah rings a radio phone-in with his Christmas wish to find a new wife for his dad. Meanwhile in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nora Ephron
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Meg Ryan  •  Bill Pullman  •  Ross Malinger

The Doors (1991)

Epic

The story of the famous and influential 1960s rock band and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Oliver Stone
CAST:  Val Kilmer  •  Kyle MacLachlan  •  Kevin Dillon  •  Frank Whaley

The story of the famous and influential 1960s rock band and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Oliver Stone
CAST:  Val Kilmer  •  Kyle MacLachlan  •  Kevin Dillon  •  Frank Whaley

The Presidio (1988)

Jay Austin is now a civilian police detective. Colonel Caldwell was his commanding officer years before when he left the military police over a disagreement over the handling of a drunk driver. Now a series of murders that cross jurisdictions force them to work ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Hyams
CAST:  Sean Connery  •  Mark Harmon  •  Meg Ryan  •  Jack Warden

Jay Austin is now a civilian police detective. Colonel Caldwell was his commanding officer years before when he left the military police over a disagreement over the handling of a drunk driver. Now a series of murders that cross jurisdictions force them to work ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Hyams
CAST:  Sean Connery  •  Mark Harmon  •  Meg Ryan  •  Jack Warden

Top Gun (1986)

For Lieutenant Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell and his friend and co-pilot Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw, being accepted into an elite training school for fighter pilots is a dream come true. But a tragedy, as well as personal demons, will threaten Pete's dreams of becoming an ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tony Scott
CAST:  Tom Cruise  •  Kelly McGillis  •  Val Kilmer  •  Anthony Edwards

For Lieutenant Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell and his friend and co-pilot Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw, being accepted into an elite training school for fighter pilots is a dream come true. But a tragedy, as well as personal demons, will threaten Pete's dreams of becoming an ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tony Scott
CAST:  Tom Cruise  •  Kelly McGillis  •  Val Kilmer  •  Anthony Edwards

When a Man Loves a Woman (1994)

DramaticDepressing

An airline pilot and his wife are forced to face the consequences of her alcoholism when her addictions threaten her life and their daughter's safety. While the woman enters detox, her husband must face the truth of his enabling behavior.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Luis Mandoki
CAST:  Andy García  •  Meg Ryan  •  Ellen Burstyn  •  Tina Majorino

An airline pilot and his wife are forced to face the consequences of her alcoholism when her addictions threaten her life and their daughter's safety. While the woman enters detox, her husband must face the truth of his enabling behavior.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Luis Mandoki
CAST:  Andy García  •  Meg Ryan  •  Ellen Burstyn  •  Tina Majorino

When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

FunnyCharmingBrilliantCute

During their travel from Chicago to New York, Harry and Sally debate whether or not sex ruins a friendship between a man and a woman. Eleven years later, and they're still no closer to finding the answer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rob Reiner
CAST:  Meg Ryan  •  Billy Crystal  •  Carrie Fisher  •  Bruno Kirby

During their travel from Chicago to New York, Harry and Sally debate whether or not sex ruins a friendship between a man and a woman. Eleven years later, and they're still no closer to finding the answer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rob Reiner
CAST:  Meg Ryan  •  Billy Crystal  •  Carrie Fisher  •  Bruno Kirby

You've Got Mail (1998)

RomanticLightheartedCharmingAction-packed

Book superstore magnate, Joe Fox and independent book shop owner, Kathleen Kelly fall in love in the anonymity of the Internet—both blissfully unaware that he's trying to put her out of business.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nora Ephron
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Meg Ryan  •  Katie Sagona  •  Greg Kinnear

Book superstore magnate, Joe Fox and independent book shop owner, Kathleen Kelly fall in love in the anonymity of the Internet—both blissfully unaware that he's trying to put her out of business.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nora Ephron
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Meg Ryan  •  Katie Sagona  •  Greg Kinnear
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