Meg Ryan Net Worth

What is Meg Ryan's Net Worth and Salary?

Meg Ryan is an American actress, producer, and director who has a net worth of $85 million. Meg Ryan emerged as America's sweetheart in the late 1980s and 1990s, becoming the defining face of romantic comedy during this golden era of the genre. After small roles in films like "Top Gun" (1986), Ryan shot to stardom with her memorable performance in "When Harry Met Sally…" (1989), featuring the iconic deli scene that has become one of cinema's most referenced moments.

Throughout the 1990s, Ryan solidified her position as a leading lady with a string of beloved romantic comedies, often alongside Tom Hanks and often pulling down $10-15 million paychecks per film. Meg and Tom's collaborations in "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993) and "You've Got Mail" (1998), both directed by Nora Ephron, showcased Ryan's trademark blend of vulnerability, charm, and quirky likability that resonated with audiences worldwide.

Beyond romantic comedies, Ryan demonstrated her range in films like "Courage Under Fire" (1996), "City of Angels" (1998), and "When a Man Loves a Woman" (1994), the latter showcasing her dramatic abilities as she portrayed a woman battling alcoholism.

By the early 2000s, Ryan began stepping away from her romantic comedy image with edgier roles in films like "In the Cut" (2003), though these projects received mixed receptions. Her public image also shifted following her divorce from Dennis Quaid amid rumors of an affair with Russell Crowe during the filming of "Proof of Life" (2000).

After a period of relative absence from Hollywood, Ryan made her directorial debut with "Ithaca" (2015), in which she also starred. In recent years, she has maintained a lower public profile, making selective appearances while focusing on personal endeavors. Her 2023 romantic comedy "What Happens Later" marked a notable return to the genre that made her famous.

Early Life

She was born Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra on November 19, 1961, in Fairfield, Connecticut. She studied journalism at the University of Connecticut and New York University. She earned extra money while still in college by appearing in commercials and bit parts on soap operas. When she joined the Screen Actors Guild, Meg opted to go by her mother's maiden name, "Ryan".

Success

Meg Ryan began her acting career in television, landing a recurring role on the long-running soap opera "As the World Turns," where she appeared from 1982 to 1984. That same year, she was cast in the short-lived sitcom "One of the Boys," which was later ranked among the worst television series of all time. Throughout the early to mid-1980s, she continued to build her résumé with supporting roles in both television and film, including a standout performance as Carole Bradshaw, the wife of Goose, in the blockbuster hit "Top Gun" (1986). Though a relatively small role, it introduced Ryan to a much wider audience.

Her breakout moment came in 1989 with Rob Reiner's romantic comedy "When Harry Met Sally," in which she starred opposite Billy Crystal. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Ryan's performance—particularly the now-iconic deli scene—cemented her as America's sweetheart and a new leading lady in Hollywood. This role launched her into a decade-long run as the queen of romantic comedies.

Throughout the 1990s, Ryan starred in a series of beloved hits, including "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993), "French Kiss" (1995), and "You've Got Mail" (1998), all of which paired her with top-tier co-stars and directors. Her on-screen chemistry with Tom Hanks in particular made them one of the era's most iconic movie duos.

In between her romantic comedy successes, Ryan also sought to expand her range. In 1994, she starred in Luis Mandoki's "When a Man Loves a Woman," playing an alcoholic high school guidance counselor struggling with addiction and family life. The film, which also starred Andy Garcia, earned her critical praise and marked a notable departure from the upbeat roles she was best known for. This pivot reflected Ryan's desire to take on more emotionally complex and challenging characters.

While her romantic comedies continued to perform well into the late '90s, her early 2000s films, such as "Proof of Life" (2000) and "Against the Ropes" (2004), received mixed reviews and lukewarm box office returns. Ryan began to scale back her acting work in the mid-2000s, appearing less frequently on screen. However, she made her directorial debut in 2015 with "Ithaca," a World War II-era drama based on the novel The Human Comedy, in which she also starred.

After a lengthy hiatus, Ryan returned to the romantic comedy genre in 2023 with "What Happens Later," a two-hander co-starring David Duchovny, which she also directed and co-wrote. The film was seen as a nostalgic return to form for the actress, reminding audiences of the magic that made her one of the most beloved stars of the 1990s.

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Salary Highlights

In 1994, Meg earned $5 million to appear in the historical drama "I.Q.". In 1998, she earned $8.5 million for City of Angels. In the same year, she was paid $10.5 million to star in You've Got Mail, opposite Tom Hanks. Together, he 1998 earnings of a combined $19 million made her one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood. That's the same as earning $30 million in a year today after adjusting for inflation.

For the 2000's Proof of Life and 2001's Kate & Leopold, Meg earned $15 million per film.

During the peak period of her career, between roughly 1994 and 2002, Meg earned more than $60 million in film salaries before adjusting for inflation.

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Personal Life

Meg was married to Dennis Quaid from 1991 to 2001. The couple has one child together, a son named Jack. While some reports indicated that her relationship with actor Russell Crowe led to the split, Ryan reportedly said that the marriage was in trouble before that time. After taking a break from the spotlight, Ryan re-emerged in 2006 with the announcement of her adoption of a little girl from China. During her time away from Hollywood, Ryan worked with CARE, a charitable organization dedicated to ending poverty by helping women work together.

Meg also famously dated John Mellencamp on and off starting in 2010. They rekindled their romance in 2017 and announced their engagement in November 2018. However, their engagement ended in 2019. In a 2023 interview, Mellencamp acknowledged his role in the relationship's demise, admitting, "I'm just a s—ty boyfriend" and stating that Ryan "doesn't love me so much."

Real Estate

For many years, Meg's primary residence was a palatial mansion in LA's Bel-Air neighborhood. She listed the home for sale in 2009 for $14.2 million, eventually finding a buyer who paid $11.1 million. Years later, director James Han purchased this home for $18.5 million.

In 2006, Meg spent $6.5 million for a home on Chappaquiddick Island. She sold this home, which encompasses 5 acres, in December 2019 for $11 million.

In 2013, she bought a 4,000 square-foot New York City loft for $4.625 million. The seller was "The Simpsons" voice actor Hank Azaria. She sold this property in 2017 for $9.85 million.

In 2017, Meg paid $10 million for a condo in New York City's Tribeca neighborhood.

In February 2020, Meg paid $5 million for a home in Montecito, California. She proceeded to perform a major renovation on the property. In November 2021, she sold the home for $13.3 million, an $8+ million gain (not including renovation costs).

In August 2021, Meg paid $9.5 million for a new home in Montecito. She listed this home for sale in May 2025 for $19.5 million.

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