Meg Ryan, 45

A-List Achievements: Faking an orgasm in a kosher deli opposite Billy Crystal in the quintessential romantic comedy, “When Harry Met Sally.” Starred in more than 30 films (and not all of them rom-coms). Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Muse of celebrity hairstylist, Sally Hershberger. Mother to a son with Quaid and an adopted daughter from China.

Originally the Wife Of: Dennis Quaid

Sealed the Deal: 1991
   
Do-Over Began: 2001

Better Than Ever: Even a messy divorce couldn’t knock Meg off her pedestal as America’s Favorite Romantic Comedy Actress. This spring, the adorable nerd-next-door from “The O.C.,” Adam Brody, has a major crush on Meg’s mom-next-door character in “In the Land of Women.” Meg, who has a teenage son with Quaid, acted on her long-time dream when she adopted daughter, Daisy True, from China in January 2006.

Star Wattage
Though Meg seems to have moved on from appearing with co-star Tom Hanks in any more “meet-cute” scenarios, she’ll be playing mom to Hanks’ real son, Colin, opposite Antonio Banderas in the crime-thriller “Homeland Security.” We’re really looking forward to Meg’s next project: a remake of the 1939 classic, “The Women,” with Candice Bergen, Anne Hathaway and Meg’s “Hanging Up” co-star, Lisa Kudrow, which is currently in pre-production with “Murphy Brown” creator Diane English as writer/director. The actress-with-the-famous-hair says that fate brought her together with her adopted daughter, who is now 2, and that she is currently experiencing the best, happiest time of her whole life.