Meg Ryan’s High-Profile Return to Hollywood after 9 Years – Fans Are Taken Aback by the Change in Her Appearance

Although Meg Ryan has never confirmed undergoing any cosmetic procedures, her appearance at a public event ignited rumors of a “botched” plastic surgery.

Let’s explore Ryan’s transformation over the years, from her natural look in the 1980s amid her rising career to her much-discussed recent appearance at a prestigious event.

Ryan in 1989

Ryan began her acting career on the soap opera “As The World Turns,” where she appeared from 1982 to 1984. Her film breakthrough came in 1986 with “Top Gun,” opposite Tom Cruise.

Ryan truly became America’s Sweetheart with her roles in iconic romantic comedies such as “When Harry Met Sally” (1989) alongside Billy Crystal, “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993), and “You’ve Got Mail” (1998).

During this period, Ryan had a youthful and radiant appearance. Her long, curly blonde hair framed her face, enhancing her fresh complexion and vibrant look, which mirrored the fashion trends of the late 1980s.

Ryan in 1994

In 1994, Ryan’s work was widely recognized. She won a Golden Globe for Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture for her performance in “Sleepless in Seattle.” That same year, she was honored as Woman of the Year by Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

At the Golden Globe Awards in January of that year, Ryan looked polished with a short, sleek bob and subtly highlighted hair. Her sophisticated look included accentuated eyes, fitting the glamorous event.

By February, she was spotted at LAX as her style shifted to a more casual, tousled bob with minimal makeup, highlighting her natural beauty.

In May, the beloved movie star sported a chic shoulder-length bob with soft waves, subtle makeup, and a graceful, refined appearance.

Ryan in 2001

In 2001, Ryan divorced actor Dennis Quaid after ten years of marriage. She spoke about the difficulties of going through a public divorce. She stated, “Divorce is hard. Love is hard. All those things were so personal. They weren’t for mass consumption.”

During this time, Ryan attended a premiere with a sleek, shoulder-length bob and elegant makeup featuring soft pink lipstick. Later that month, she spotted loose, voluminous waves and dramatic makeup, including bold red lipstick and smoky eyes.

Ryan in 2003

By May 2003, Ryan attended the Cannes Film Festival with a radiant look, her hair in loose waves and natural makeup highlighting her glowing complexion.

In October of that year, she appeared at the premiere of “In the Cut” with a short, edgy bob and more defined makeup, presenting a chic and modern appearance.

Ryan in 2006

In 2006, Ryan, a Connecticut native, attended the “Madama Butterfly” opening night in New York City with a sophisticated look.

She wore a black ensemble and had her long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. Her look was complemented by understated makeup that highlighted her smooth and radiant complexion.

Ryan in 2009

Three years later, Ryan starred in “Serious Moonlight,” a comedy crime film with Timothy Hutton, Justin Long, and Kristen Bell. This was one of her final projects before taking a Hollywood hiatus.

In December 2009, she attended a New York premiere of the film with loose, shoulder-length waves, a glowing complexion, and an elegant appearance.

Ryan in 2012

In 2012, Ryan participated in the “Half the Sky, a Special Presentation of Independent Lens” panel. She had a polished look with a short, tousled bob and facial features that included high cheekbones, a delicate nose, and full lips.

Ryan in 2015

Ryan’s last film before her break from acting was 2015 war drama “Ithaca,” which she directed and starred in opposite Tom Hanks. That same year, she was seen at Gare du Nord station with a short, wavy bob.

Ryan in 2019

In June 2019, Ryan posted a photo of herself looking stylish and casual at a diner table. She wore her short, blonde, wavy hair down and sported white top. The star simply captioned her post, “@laurabrown” alongside a smiling face emoji.

Later that year in October, she attended the Governors Awards with a sophisticated look, featuring a tousled shoulder-length bob, polished makeup, and a glowing complexion.

Ryan in 2022

In May 2022, Ryan announced on Instagram that she would star in “What Happens Later” with David Duchovny. She also directed the film, returning to the romantic comedy genre that made her a star.

Ryan in 2023

Ahead of the “What Happens Later” premiere in November 2023, Ryan discussed her nine-year break from Hollywood, stating she was not “a very good famous person,” before. She explained that she had always felt like her life was over outside of the bubble of fame.

As an escape, Ryan moved out of Los Angeles for a change, though she appreciated her interactions with fans who admired her work in films like “Sleepless in Seattle,” “When Harry Met Sally,” and “You’ve Got Mail.”

“I have a very charmed life. People generally smile when they say hi to me, and they’re happy about some of the movies I’ve done,” Ryan said. “But I wanted to sort of just extend out of that, move out of L.A. Just change it up.”

The more her fame amplified, so did her desire to step away from the limelight. “I took a giant break because I felt like there’s just so many other parts of my experience as a human being I wanted to develop,” she explained. “It’s nice to think of it as a job and not a lifestyle.”

Ryan is a proud mother of two adult children: Jack Quaid, her son with Dennis Quaid, and her daughter Daisy True, whom she adopted in 2006.

“I have two of the greatest kids. They’re just a blast. It is just a true joy to know both of them,” she once gushed of her beloved children.

Ryan in 2024

In May 2024, Ryan attended the Met Gala after 23 years, sharing photos of herself in a Michael Kors gown. Her appearance sparked mixed reactions from a medical expert and online users.

Dr. Sam Rizk, a celebrity plastic surgeon, remarked, “She’s a mess. I think she had a bad facelift in the wrong direction, sideways, instead of vertical.” Rizk explained that Ryan’s mouth looked significantly different from her “Top Gun” days.

“The only way a mouth can get bigger as you get older is if it’s pulled sideways,” he said. Rizk also pointed out that her lips looked overfilled. Moreover, online users also weighed in on the subject and their reactions varied.

One user exclaimed, “STOP with the fillers, Meg!” while another commented, “When she smiles the rest of her face doesn’t move. So full of fillers. Her face must be permanently numb.”

Some lamented the use of cosmetic procedures, “It’s so sad that natural beautiful actresses and some actors, too, use botox, lip fillers, etc…and ruin their look.” Another added, “Fillers + botox do that. I call it the Meg Ryan effect (poor Meg Ryan).”

However, many fans defended her look. “She was the best dressed at Met Gala. Gorgeous dress and she looked very pretty, too,” wrote one. Others echoed, “Looking great Meg!” and “The best she’s looked in more than 10 years!!! Brava!!!”

In an interview, Meg Ryan addressed Hollywood’s obsession with youth, stating, “Our culture is so obsessed with youth.” She noted that women over fifty rarely get significant roles.

At 62, the esteemed veteran star said, “Aging is not that terrifying. We’re all doing it,” expressing satisfaction with her age and life.