Meg Ryan, known for her iconic fake orgasm scene in the romantic comedy classic “When Harry Met Sally,” shared a glimpse into her children’s perspective on the famous moment during an interview with Carol Burnett for Interview magazine.
Ryan, 61, discussed her upcoming movie with David Duchovny, her career, and the unforgettable scene inside Katz’s Deli from 1989 with Burnett.
Acknowledging Ryan’s memorable movie moments, including the fake orgasm scene, Burnett inquired if it required multiple takes. Ryan responded, “We probably did that over and over and over again.”
During the conversation, Ryan revealed that her son, actor Jack Quaid, and her daughter, Daisy Ryan, had recently discussed the movie. She recounted a phone call with them, saying, “It’s funny, my son just called me this morning and he’s in New York staying at a hotel that’s right across the street from Katz’s Deli.”
Ryan continued, “My daughter was here, and everybody was on speaker, and they were like, ‘Mom, this is a very unique embarrassment.'”
Quaid, who starred in “Scream,” had previously expressed reluctance to watch the film in a 2019 interview with InStyle, explaining, “It’s one of those things, where if you really think about it, you don’t want to see your mom having a fake orgasm in a deli when you’re growing up. I avoided it.”
However, he eventually watched the movie while preparing for his own rom-com, “Plus One,” and came to appreciate the film beyond that famous scene.
As for Ryan’s latest film, “What Happens Later,” she shared that it delves into the theme of forgiveness. Describing it as a rom-com, she noted that it raises deeper questions underneath the surface of the genre.
Directed and starring Ryan, the film marked her return to acting after a hiatus since 2015’s “Ithaca,” which she also directed. Though renowned for her rom-com roles, Ryan also excelled in dramatic parts. However, she stepped back from Hollywood over a decade ago.
In a 2019 interview with New York Times Magazine, Ryan explained her absence, saying she felt she was “burning through life experiences” as an actor. She compared her experiences to being in a car with so much metal between her and the world outside, making it challenging to discern the truth amid fame’s advantages and disadvantages.
Ryan’s candid insights shed light on her career, her iconic moments, and her reasons for taking a step back from the limelight, offering a glimpse into the life of a Hollywood legend.
