Why You Don’t See Meg Ryan In Movies That Much Anymore

Meg Ryan initially gained recognition in the mid-80s through soap opera roles before making a significant impact in the movie industry with her role in the blockbuster action film “Top Gun” (1986). However, it was her lead role in “When Harry Met Sally” that catapulted her into Hollywood’s elite and cemented her status as one of the most sought-after female leads in romantic comedies. Although she worked across different genres, collaborations with Tom Hanks and films like “Addicted to Love” and “French Kiss” solidified Ryan’s reputation as a leading lady in rom-coms throughout the ’90s. To this day, her work continues to be prominently featured on lists of the greatest romantic comedies ever made.

In the early 2000s, Ryan’s stardom started to dwindle. A series of professional mistakes and negative media attention took a toll on her career. This resulted in fewer movie roles and less frequent public appearances. Eventually, Ryan became almost entirely absent from the limelight despite her high profile. So, what has been happening with the actor since her work slowed down? Will this trend continue for the once-busy romantic lead?

Her supposed affair with Russell Crowe hurt her reputation

Meg Ryan was not only known for her exceptional role as a leading actress in romantic comedies but also for being part of one of Hollywood’s most cherished duos during their heyday. Meg tied the knot with actor Dennis Quaid on Valentine’s Day in 1991, a move that could have been scripted from one of her popular films from that time. They swiftly rose to fame as one of the acting industry’s most admired couples, a status they maintained throughout the rest of the ’90s.

However, everything took a different turn when Ryan starred in the 2000 action thriller “Proof of Life” alongside Russell Crowe. Gossip magazines buzzed with speculations that they had developed a romantic relationship – a celebrity rumor that eventually proved to be accurate. When Ryan and Quaid announced their separation at approximately the same time, many spectators assumed that Ryan had been untrue to Quaid and had already initiated a relationship with Crowe prior to the split, attributing the breakup to this alleged affair.

As a devoted fan, I’ve always acknowledged Ryan’s assertion that it was not she who strayed in their marriage, but rather Quaid who did. Regardless of the real facts or the precise sequence of events, this controversy dealt a substantial blow to Ryan’s pristine image as Hollywood’s romantic comedy darling. This negative fallout undoubtedly affected her career trajectory.

Erotic thriller In the Cut received intense media scrutiny

Initially met with widespread criticism upon its release in 2003, “In the Cut” had an adverse impact on Meg Ryan’s career, which was already waning. The film’s unfavorable reception wasn’t solely due to its subversion of typical male gaze in erotic thrillers but also because of the harsh criticism leveled against Ryan by the press for being part of the movie and a notorious interview with a British talk show host.

1) The media often rushes to pass criticism towards an actress who accepts a role with a sexual undertone, especially when she isn’t commonly known for such parts. In Ryan’s case, she faced harsh remarks for starring in “In the Cut” and her on-screen intimacy scenes, while co-stars Mark Ruffalo and Kevin Bacon sailed through the film’s promotional cycle unscathed. However, things took a turn for the worse when Ryan appeared on the BBC talk show “Parkinson,” and responded forcefully to the host’s aggressive and judgmental questioning about her role in “In the Cut.

Regrettably, instead of being praised by the public for asserting herself during the interview, Ryan encountered a majority of the criticism and was perceived as challenging and argumentative – a viewpoint that didn’t help to mend the already tarnished image she had due to the Russell Crowe controversy.

She felt disconnected from her personal life

Celebrity life is a unique, unconventional journey that often strays far from the path of a typical everyday existence. As actors ascend to the pinnacle of fame, they often struggle to preserve their personal lives, and Meg Ryan’s story mirrors this trend. In her own words, she felt like an observer of her life rather than a participant, yearning for a return to active involvement. To achieve this goal, she decided to slow down her acting career, which had been particularly busy in the ’90s.

In a 2019 interview with the New York Times, Ryan discussed her choice to minimize acting roles in the preceding ten years, explaining that her interest in acting had waned compared to other life experiences she yearned to explore. Consequently, she accepted fewer acting jobs to delve into these other interests. Later, Ryan commented that she had achieved a level of fame that now gave her more fulfillment: she could still relish the benefits—like getting preferred tables at restaurants—without being subjected to continuous media attention and having to avoid paparazzi wherever she went.

Troubled production The Women was her last major studio release

Following the debut of “In the Cut” a year prior, Meg Ryan took on the role in the 2004 boxing drama “Against the Ropes,” which unfortunately flopped at the box office and was met with poor reviews, marking one of her worst-rated films since rising to stardom. In the ensuing years, she appeared in a few low-key projects. However, 2008’s “The Women” seemed poised as a potential comeback for Ryan, who joined an acclaimed cast that included Annette Bening, Bette Midler, Carrie Fisher, Eva Mendes, Cloris Leachman, and others.

The issue lies in the fact that the movie titled “The Women,” which started way back in 1994, was plagued with numerous problems during production. Ryan was initially cast for the project, but it took over a decade for everything to fall into place, leading many critics to believe that this film should have remained in development limbo. Despite the high anticipation and the star power of both established and rising actresses attached to the film, “The Women” was heavily criticized by critics. Following her last two major studio productions receiving poor reviews, it appeared as if Ryan had grown tired of trying to revive a leading lady career in Hollywood; “The Women” stands as her most recent production for a non-independent studio.

She shifted her focus to her family and personal life

Due to a decline in both the professional achievements and personal satisfaction of her career, Ryan chose to shift her focus away from it, prioritizing instead her family and personal relationships. Already being a mother to Jack, her son from her marriage with Dennis Quaid, and adopting Daisy in 2006, Ryan now had the opportunity to devote more time to her children as she was no longer as busy with her film career.

Alongside devoting time to her role as a mother, Ryan additionally chose to rekindle her personal relationships, notably starting a relationship with musician John Mellencamp in 2010. The couple attempted to maintain their relationship private for as long as possible. For around eight years, they seemed to be intermittently together, hinting at a potential lifelong commitment when they announced their engagement in 2018. However, their plans did not materialize, as neither was prepared to move for the other – Ryan being a resident of New York City and Mellencamp a long-time resident of Indiana – and Mellencamp grew weary of the media attention. Their relationship ended permanently in 2019.

She did more small screen work in the 2000s and 2010s

Meg Ryan initially gained acting experience on the soap opera “As the World Turns” from 1982 to 1984. Later, she appeared in shows like “One of the Boys,” “Charles in Charge,” and “Wildside.” After this, Hollywood recognized her talent and mostly shifted her focus away from television after 1985. Apart from voicing a character on the popular 1990 animated series “Captain Planet and the Planeteers,” Ryan made only one more television appearance, in the 1997 Disney Channel movie “Northern Lights,” during her career as a prominent film actress.

In the 2000s and beyond, Ryan reduced her movie appearances yet significantly increased her TV roles. She guest-starred in episodes of “The Simpsons” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” had a recurring part on Lisa Kudrow’s web series “Web Therapy,” and starred in the 2015 ABC Family film titled “Fan Girl.” In 2018, Ryan mentioned she was working on a sitcom with “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels, and possibly playing a role within it. However, there have been no updates on this project since then, leaving its status uncertain. The same is true for another project called “Picture Paris,” initially announced in 2017 for Epix (now known as MGM+), where news has also gone quiet.

She started writing, directing, and producing

Meg Ryan ventured into film production starting from the romantic comedy “French Kiss” in 1995, followed by producing the Disney Channel movie “Northern Lights.” In the year 2000, she expanded her production work to films where she didn’t act, beginning with “Lost Souls,” followed by “The Wedding Planner” and “Desert Saints.” She had also planned to venture into television production with projects mentioned earlier but yet to be released. Lately, she executive produced the 2023 film “What Happens Later,” her first movie since 2015.

2015 marked the year when Ryan made her directorial debut with the drama “Ithaca,” which brought her together with Tom Hanks once again and for the first time paired her with her son, Jack Quaid on screen. Additionally, John Mellencamp contributed to the movie’s soundtrack as they were dating at that time. On another note, “What Happens Later” was a project where Ryan both directed and wrote the script, collaborating with Steven Dietz and Kirk Lynn. This solidified her status as a versatile artist, now able to label herself as an actress, director, writer, and producer. It’s evident that she’s playing a more substantial creative role in her professional journey these days.

She views acting as a job rather than a lifestyle

Similar to any other occupation, one can dedicate their whole life to acting or regard it merely as a job. In the end, Meg Ryan opted for viewing acting as her profession rather than a life choice. During an interview with People in 2023, Ryan expressed, “It’s beneficial to consider it as work and not a lifestyle. That perspective works best for me.

Apart from her acting skills, Ryan’s reluctance towards fame played a significant role. She has admitted herself that she wasn’t particularly adept at handling fame. Moreover, similar to many actors from the pre-internet era, she believes that her celebrity status might not have existed if social media was available during her peak years. The constant negativity and criticism associated with it would have been overwhelming for her. Instead, Ryan views acting as an activity she pursues, rather than a label defining who she is.

She is outspoken in defending her son against nepo baby claims

The controversy surrounding Hollywood’s “nepo babies” revolves around the idea that some actors have benefited professionally due to one or both of their parents being well-known figures in the industry. This assertion has led many actors to feel that their abilities and dedication are being questioned. However, some actors acknowledge that having famous parents might have provided an early career boost, while simultaneously emphasizing their own talents and hard work. One such individual is Jack Quaid, who admits that his success in the industry can be attributed, to some extent, to being the son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan. Yet, he also stresses that this doesn’t diminish his inherent talent.

In her own words, Ryan has been vocal about supporting her son’s abilities and aspirations. During an interview with Glamour in 2023, she expressed, “He possesses a natural talent that surpasses my own. The notion of nepotism overlooks his dedication, skills, and awareness of his privileged position.” Similarly, Jack maintains that he doesn’t solicit advice from his parents regarding acting and instead prefers to navigate the industry independently. Likewise, Dennis Quaid, Ryan’s father, shares her belief in Jack’s exceptional acting talent and potential for success within the family.

She made a major media comeback in 2023

Following the events surrounding “In the Cut,” Meg Ryan developed a less than favorable connection with or perspective on the media. Consequently, it was not unexpected that her withdrawal from acting also involved limiting her accessibility to the media for interviews, talk shows, and similar engagements. Granted, she didn’t have numerous projects to publicize during the 2010s, but the contrast in her media visibility during those years compared to the 1990s and early 2000s was quite noticeable.

However, a shift occurred when Ryan re-emerged as an actor in 2023, particularly during the promotion of “What Happens Later.” Given her dual roles as both the lead actress and the film’s director and co-writer, she had little choice but to step into the limelight. Yet, the extensive media engagements she undertook, such as talk shows, radio interviews, TV appearances, and magazine features, hinted at her readiness to rekindle her relationship with the press. Whether she genuinely relishes being back in the public eye remains uncertain, but for now, it appears she is embracing it.

She no longer shares her private life with the public

Meg Ryan’s comeback to interviews and public appearances hasn’t been without conditions, given her complex feelings towards fame. While she was never completely enamored by the idea of being a highly renowned celebrity, she always harbored some discomfort about it. The negative aspects of this lifestyle significantly influenced her decision to retreat from her career and the glare of the limelight. Consequently, Ryan has gained insight into setting boundaries and is not hesitant to establish them.

Ryan appears quite comfortable discussing her career, focusing on the tasks and assignments involved. As previously noted, she’s also open to discussing her children, whether it’s to defend them or simply express pride in their accomplishments. However, beyond this topic, her inclination to delve into personal matters seems to be limited.

Currently, she isn’t hesitant to instruct an interviewer to shift the conversation topic or proceed to the next question if she’s asked about her personal life, particularly her love life and whether she’s undergone plastic surgery. When inquired about these topics or any other private matters, she clearly communicates this. Fortunately, interviewers appear to be honoring those boundaries and complying when she requests them to do so.

She’s set to direct and star in an upcoming Netflix film

What does Meg Ryan plan to do next? As of now, her latest project is “What Happens Later,” released in 2023. However, she appears to be reinvigorated by her work and seems eager to build on a resurgence in her career during the 2020s. In 2022, it was revealed that Ryan will direct the Netflix adaptation of the celebrated novel “A Lady’s Guide to Selling Out.” This will be her debut venture into the realm of streaming video.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t definitively say if Ryan will grace our screens as Casey Pendergast or another character in the upcoming movie. A three-year silence might seem ominous, but let’s remember that the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike disrupted many ongoing projects. This doesn’t necessarily mean the production has stalled. The future remains uncertain, but as long as there’s no official cancellation notice, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for Ryan’s return to the director’s chair and perhaps another leading role!

2025-01-12 00:30