Meg Ryan is sharing her thoughts on motherhood, revealing the immense joy of raising two wonderful children. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 61-year-old actress and mother gushes about her kids, 31-year-old Jack Quaid, her son from her previous marriage to Dennis Quaid, and her 18-year-old daughter, Daisy True Ryan, saying, “I have two of the greatest kids. They’re just a blast. It is just a true joy.” She adds, “It is a joy to me to know both of them.”
For Ryan, this joyous experience required a significant shift in her life. As a long-time actress, director, and producer, she acknowledges that becoming a mother instantly shifts the focus away from herself. She explains, “Becoming a mother instantly makes you not the most important person in the room.”
Ryan, who is making her highly anticipated return to the screen as the star, director, and co-writer of “What Happens Later,” likens the act of raising her children to that of being a host. She ponders, “I just feel like, ‘Have I been a good host?'” before asking herself, “Are they inspired? Are they happy? Are they safe?”
Meg Ryan (Credits: Fox News)
She highlights the unique qualities of her children, noting that “each of them is so different.” However, both Jack and Daisy True are described as “hilarious, smart, kind, interested in other people, and curious about the world.” Ryan proudly asserts, “I feel like both of them make the world a little better, and I just feel so proud of them… I’m so proud of both.”
Jack Quaid has made a name for himself in Hollywood, beginning with his acting debut in 2012’s “The Hunger Games.” His onscreen career has since expanded to include films like “Ithaca,” a 2015 film directed by and co-starring his mother, as well as “Logan Lucky,” “Scream,” and “Oppenheimer.” Jack is also the star of Prime Video’s “The Boys” and lends his voice to “Star Trek: Lower Decks” on Paramount+.
Meg Ryan couldn’t be prouder of her son’s accomplishments in the industry, praising his dedication and hard work. She says, “He’s just in it for all the right reasons. He’s somebody who just loves what he does, and obviously, he’s somebody who knows that he’s privileged, and he’s also somebody who works so hard.” She continues, “I am just so proud of how sensible he is, how ethical he is, how fun he is — and I just knew early on he was somebody I would have to share. He’s just fantastic.”
As for her daughter Daisy True, who recently started college, Ryan admits to visiting her frequently and even making long drives for short reunions on campus. She humorously recalls one instance when Daisy could only meet for coffee, to which she responded, “Okay, I’ll have some coffee.” Ryan confesses to being a bit strict with her daughter, revealing that Daisy True didn’t have a phone until she was 15. This decision allowed her to explore various interests and maintain a life outside of technology.
With her children now leaving the nest, Ryan sees it as an accomplishment and a sign that she did things right. She observes that her kids are thriving and engaged, and she’s proud to witness their happiness.
As she enters the stage of an empty nester, Ryan has kept herself busy. After an eight-year hiatus from the screen, she is making a comeback in “What Happens Later.” The film, based on Steven Dietz’s 2008 play “Shooting Star,” follows two former lovers, Willa (played by Ryan) and Bill (played by David Duchovny), who rekindle their past while stranded in an airport during a snowstorm. The romantic comedy is set for theatrical release on November 3 and has been a labor of love for Ryan, who didn’t originally plan to co-write or star in it. She explains, “It just kept evolving… There’s something that just had to be made. The movie had to be made.”
