Her recent roles include "Proof of Life" opposite Russell Crowe, Diane Keaton’s comedy "Hanging Up," Nora Ephron’s romance "You’ve Got Mail" with Tom Hanks, which garnered her a Golden Globe nomination, and Anthony Drazan’s searing independent film version of "Hurlyburly," featuring Sean Penn, Chazz Palminteri, Garry Shandling, Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright Penn.
Ryan’s comedic appeal was widely recognized in her Golden Globe nominated performance as Sally Allbright in "When Harry Met Sally," directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron. She went on to star in Nora Ephron’s hit romantic comedy "Sleepless in Seattle" opposite Tom Hanks, which earned Ryan another Golden Globe nomination.
Acclaim also has come to Ryan for several distinctive dramas, including her role as the first military woman nominated for a Medal of Honor in "Courage Under Fire," co-starring Denzel Washington and directed by Ed Zwick, and her portrayal of a woman with a drinking problem in Luis Mandoki’s "When a Man Loves a Woman" with Andy Garcia. For her performance opposite Kiefer Sutherland in the Sundance Institute’s "Promised Land," she earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination.
Ryan has starred opposite Nicolas Cage in "City of Angels," with Matthew Broderick in "Addicted to Love" and alongside Kevin Kline in "French Kiss." Her additional film credits include "I.Q.," "Anastasia," "Innerspace," "D.O.A.," "The Presidio," "Joe Versus the Volcano," "The Doors," "Prelude to a Kiss," "Flesh and Bone" and "Restoration."
A native of Fairfield, Conn., (born on November 19, 1961) Ryan embarked on her acting career after studying journalism at New York University. She made her motion picture debut as Candice Bergen’s daughter in "Rich and Famous," and attracted the attention of moviegoers and critics in her 1986 performance as a fighter pilot’s wife in "Top Gun."
Biography courtesy of Screen Gems in support of Ryan's role in "In the Cut."
