Meg Ryan was born Margaret
Mary Emily Anne Hyra in Fairfield, Connecticut. She was called "Peggy"
and later "Meg" as a child. Her mother, Susan, left them when she was
fifteen to become an actress. Her father, Harry, was a high school math teacher
and coach. Ryan enrolled at the University of Connecticut to study journalism,
but she dropped out to pursue a career in acting.
This
goal was aided by her mother, who helped her get a Screen Actors Guild Card under
her maiden name, Ryan. She had a recurring role on the soap opera AS THE WORLD
TURNS from 1982 to 1984. The film which thrust her into the limelight was TOP
GUN, in which she played the wife of Tom Cruise's best friend. Her first lead
role was in the hit move, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY.
She has since been cast in numerous successful romantic comedies which have become
her mainstay. The few dramas she has appeared in have not met with quite the critical
acclaim as have the comedies. In 1993 Ryan established a production company called
Fandango Films, now Prufrock Pictures.
View
Meg Ryan Nude Gallery