The Dramatic Evolution Of The Amazing Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan has played a plethora of iconic characters throughout her immensely triumphant career. She has the organic ability to make an audience laugh or cry with the greatest of ease. There's no doubt about it: the woman is simply phenomenal! It's easy to see why she is one of the premier actors in Hollywood but how did she get to this level of notoriety? Let's take a closer look at Meg Ryan's path to success...

Meg grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Bethel High School back in 1979. She was even voted Prom Queen by her peers during her senior year! What an honor...

Did you know that's not even her real name? The teen actress decided to get creative when it came time to register with the Screen Actors Guild. "Meg Ryan" is actually an anagram of the word, "Germany." How clever is that?

In her teens, Meg found work acting in low-budget commercials for such products as Burger King and Barbie, in addition to many others.

It wasn't until 1981 that Meg landed her very first audition for the feature film, Endless Love. She read for the role that eventually went to Brooke Shields. Though she didn't get this particular job, it almost certainly taught her many valuable lessons that would help mold her into the legendary actress she is today! What else don't I know about this woman...?

Meg met future-husband, Dennis Quaid, during the filming of Innerspace back in 1987. It didn't take long before the two talented actors moved in together. It was love at first sight with these two...

In 1989, her performance in When Harry Met Sally made Meg Ryan a household name! 

Meg and Dennis eventually gave birth to a son, Jack Henry Quaid in 1992. Later, in 2006, the You've Got Mail actress adopted, Daisy True Ryan, from China.

Though it seems like Meg makes nothing but perfect decisions, apparently, she's missed out on some truly incredible movies along the way. She's turned down lead roles in such classic films as Ghost, Pretty Woman, and The Silence of the Lambs. Despite all that, Meg has always been able to keep a smile on her face.

Meg loves committing 100% of herself to a role. Even in 2004, for her film, Against the Ropes, the already heavily-trained thespian decided to take some boxing classes to help better immerse herself in the film. Now that's some real dedication! 

We're not the only ones who love her. Even the mega-popular band, Savage Garden, once wrote a song inspired by Meg Ryan entitled, "All Around Me." 

Meg also loves giving back. Here she is taking part in the recent "Raise Your Hand" campaign for the Save the Childrenorganization. Just when you think she can't get any better, she does something like this...Way to go, Meg!

SHARE if you can't wait to see where Meg's career goes from here!