Jack Quaid, the son of Hollywood stars Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, recently shared insights about his parents' initial hesitation concerning his decision to pursue acting. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter on December 27, Quaid revealed, "They weren’t initially super psyched about it because they knew how tough it was for them." He noted, as many parents do, they were cautious about his future aspirations. “Oh jeez, of course, we have another one,” Jack recalled. Yet, he expressed gratitude for their eventual encouragement and acknowledged their initial apprehension.
At 32, Quaid emphasized his passion for acting was rooted deeply within him, independent of his parents' legacy. "I don’t know how I would have survived mentally in the entertainment industry if I didn’t truly love what I did," Jack reflected. He highlighted the importance of genuine love versus fame, stating, "If I did this just to be a famous person or to have clout, I would’ve been done with this a long time ago.” Having two successful parents provided proof to Quaid, showing him the viability of acting as a career path. "That was the biggest benefit among many," he admitted, noting the skepticism many aspiring actors face from their families.
Quaid’s Hollywood career gained momentum with his breakout role as Marvel in the 2012 film The Hunger Games. He credits his unique upbringing of spending time on set with his parents for nurturing his interest. He articulated, "You don’t realize things are slightly abnormal until later," alluding to the privilege he enjoyed growing up surrounded by the industry.
Shifting focus to Meg Ryan, she is often linked to romantic comedies, especially noted for her role as Sally Albright in the 1989 classic When Harry Met Sally. Ironically, her famed role almost slipped away. Ryan candidly recounted her fortuitous career choices during her interview with The Sunday Times published on December 15. "I don’t know if it’s good form to talk about this, but I’m so happy things turned out as they did," she reflected when discussing how she passed up another role which instead went to Julia Roberts, propelling her career skyward.
Despite working closely with writer Nora Ephron through iconic films like Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, Ryan shared Ephron didn’t guide her personal relationships but provided invaluable career advice. Ryan recounted Ephron saying, "Meg, it’s more important what you say no to than what you say yes to." This wisdom steered Ryan as she transitioned from romantic comedies to thrillers and dramatic roles before returning to her roots with her recent directorial effort, What Happens Later.
The film centers on two exes who become snowed-in at an airport together, exploring the dynamics of their past relationship. Ryan’s career shift back to rom-coms reveals her appreciation for storytelling and highlights how she thrives on revisiting beloved genres.
Reflecting on the film industry's demands, both Quaid and Ryan highlight the challenges and joys inherent to their careers. Jack Quaid, embracing his passion fueled by genuine love for the craft, celebrates the privilege of his upbringing, offering him perspectives many don’t have. Meanwhile, Meg Ryan's thoughtful approach to her film choices showcases her sustained relevance and love for acting, bridging generational insights among Hollywood's elite.
