Known As: Meg Ryan
Real Name: Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra
Date of Birth: November 19, 1961
Place of Birth: Fairfield, CT, USA
Claim to Fame: Became a superstar after playing the romantic lead in "When Harry Met Sally"
Occupation: Actress, Producer

Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra -- known as Meg or Peggy to family and friends -- was born November 19, 1961, in Fairfield, Connecticut. The daughter of Harry, a teacher, and Susan, a teacher, former actress and casting director, Meg did not intend to become the Hollywood cutie she is known as today.

With original intentions of pursuing a journalistic career, one would think that perhaps Meg inherited the acting bug from her mother, who left a 15-year-old Meg, her two sisters and her brother to become an actress.

Once Meg graduated from Bethel High School, she followed up her academic studies at the University of Connecticut. In order to pay for her tuition, Meg landed some acting gigs in several commercials. Her mother helped her become a member of the Screen Actors Guild, under her maiden name, and thus "Meg Ryan", as we know her today, was born.

Meg was cast in her feature film debut alongside Candice Bergen in the film, Rich and Famous in 1981, and decided to leave behind her journalistic studies to try her hand at acting. The former homecoming queen got her start on the small-screen, with roles in an After School Special, Amy the Angel, and appearances on the comedy Charles in Charge. She also became a regular on the daytime soap, As the World Turns, until 1984.

The series Wildside was the last of Meg's television career; one that would quickly be overshadowed by her present status as Hollywood's Sweetheart. After a role in 1983's Amityville III: The Demon, moviegoers would catch a glimpse of the blonde, perky actress in Top Gun, as Goose's wife (played by Anthony Edwards).

But her claim to fame came with a starring role in 1989's, When Harry Met Sally..., co-starring Billy Crystal. Her scene-stealing fake orgasm in the middle of a restaurant went down in movie history, and practically locked Meg into Hollywood's list of up-and-comers. The Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks team started when the two paired up to star in Joe Versus the Volcano (which did not erupt at the box-office) -- and the two were paired again in 1993's chick flick (but sleeper hit), Sleepless in Seattle.

The latter secured Meg as an A-list actress, and made audiences forget about her roles in The Doors and Promised Land, which, although were notable performances, didn't showcase Meg's adorable qualities. The early to mid '90s were also marked with hits such as When a Man Loves a Woman (with a phenomenal turn as a recovering alcoholic) and the lukewarm French Kiss, while Prelude to a Kiss and I.Q. were not the best ideas.

Other notable performances by Meg were in the period piece Restoration, Courage Under Fire (co-starring Denzel Washington and Matt Damon), and the animated feature, Anastasia. Addicted to Love proved that dark roles do not suit Meg, while City of Angels, opposite Nicolas Cage was not so angelic. In 1999, Meg reunited with her Sleepless in Seattle co-star Tom Hanks to star in You've Got Mail.

In addition to her acting duties, Meg is also founder of her own production company, Prufrock Pictures (formerly Fandango Films), as well as the mother of her son with Dennis Quaid, Jack Henry. Meg first met Dennis Quaid on the set of 1987's Innerspace and the couple started dating while filming D.O.A. Their marriage proved to be dead on arrival during the summer of 2000, when the divorce of one of Hollywood's most enduring couples was announced, and Meg was rumored to be cuddling up to her Proof Of Life co-star, Russell Crowe.

After a starring role in 1999's Hanging Up (with Lisa Kudrow), Meg will next be seen in the soon-to-be-released, Proof of Life. Her upcoming projects include Kate & Leopold, and a remake of the 1939 classic, The Women, co-starring fellow Hollywood sweetheart, Julia Roberts.

As an A-list and box-office attracting actress, Meg Ryan has proved to be lovable, both on and off-screen, and one thing's for certain -- we're glad she didn't stick to journalism.