Amy Beth Dziewiontkowski(born May 3, 1968),[1]known professionally asAmy Ryan,is an American actress. She began her professional stage career in 1987 and made herBroadwaydebut in 1993 as a replacement in the original production ofWendy Wasserstein'sThe Sisters Rosensweig.She was nominated for theTony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Playfor her performances inUncle Vanya(2000) andA Streetcar Named Desire(2005), and theTony Award for Best Actress in a PlayforDoubt: A Parable(2024).
Amy Ryan | |
|---|---|
 Ryan at the premiere ofWolfsin 2024 | |
| Born | Amy Beth Dziewiontkowski May 3, 1968 New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Spouse |
Eric Slovin (m.2011) |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | Full list |
For her breakthrough film role as a troubled single mother in the thrillerGone Baby Gone(2007), Ryan was nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actress.Her other films includeYou Can Count on Me(2000),Capote(2005),Before the Devil Knows You're Dead(2007),Changeling(2008),Birdman(2014),Bridge of Spies(2015),The Infiltrator(2016), andBeau Is Afraid(2023).
On television, she playedBeadie Russellin theHBOcrime seriesThe Wire(2002–2008) andHolly Flaxin theNBCsitcomThe Office(2008–2011), and has also featured in the HBO drama seriesIn Treatment(2010), theHulumystery comedy seriesOnly Murders in the Building(2021–2024), and theApple TV+mystery seriesSugar(2024).
Early life
editRyan was born Amy Beth Dziewiontkowski inFlushing, Queens,in New York City, the daughter of Pamela (née Ryan),[2][3]anurse,and John Dziewiontkowski, a trucking business owner. She is of Polish, Irish, and English descent.[4]Growing up in the 1970s, Ryan and her sister Laura delivered theDaily Newsby bike. At a young age, Ryan attended theStagedoor ManorPerforming Arts Center in upstate New York. At 17, she graduated from New York'sHigh School of Performing Arts.[5]Hired for the national tour ofBiloxi Bluesright out of high school, Ryan worked steadilyoff-Broadwayfor the next decade. She chose her mother's maiden name as her stage name.[5]
Career
edit1987–2005: Broadway debut and early roles
editRyan made her off-Broadway debut in the Westside Theatre's 1987 production ofA Shayna Maidel,playing the role of Hanna. The following year she was seen in the Second Stage Theatre Company's revival ofThe Rimers of Eldritch.[6][7]Additional off-Broadway credits includeAs Bees In Honey Drown,Crimes of the HeartandSaved.[8][9][10][11]She also worked inregional theater,where she originated roles in new plays byNeil LaBute,Arthur MillerandNeil Simon.OnBroadwayshe has appeared as Tess inThe Sisters Rosensweig,Natasha in the 1997 revival ofThe Three Sisters,and Peggy in the 2001–2002 revival ofThe Women.[5][12]
Following a brief stint playing a runaway onAs the World Turns,Ryan was cast in television series such asI'll Fly Away,[5]After roles onERandChicago Hope,Ryan became a series regular onThe Naked TruthasTéa Leoni's spoiled stepdaughter.[13][14]In 1993, she made her first appearance on NBC'sLaw & Order,appearing in several episodes over the years.[5]
Ryan was nominated for theTony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Playtwice: in 2000, for her portrayal of Sonya Alexandrovna inUncle Vanya,and in 2005, for her performance asStella KowalskioppositeJohn C. ReillyinA Streetcar Named Desire.[5][12][15][16]
Because of the deletion of the scene where she playedEric Stoltz's wife inAllison Anders'sGrace of My Heart,Ryan made her 1999 film debut inRoberta.[14]She then briefly appeared inYou Can Count on Me,which starredLaura LinneyandMark Ruffalo,[5]and the mystery/thrillerKeane.[5][14]By 2001, directorSidney Lumetcast her in100 Centre Streetplaying three different roles (Ellen, Paris and Rebecca).[17]From 2003 to 2008 Ryan went on to feature prominently in HBO's crime drama seriesThe Wire,playing Port Authority OfficerBeadie Russell.[18][19]Albert Brookschose her to play his wife inLooking for Comedy in the Muslim Worldin 2005, and 2007 brought bothDan in Real LifeandBefore the Devil Knows You're Dead.[5][17]Her role as a star-struck sheriff's wife inCapote[5]earned her positive reviews, but it was playing a hardened welfare mom inBen Affleck'sGone Baby Gonethat finally brought her national attention.[5][17][19]
2006–2017: Breakthrough and acclaim
edit
After beingvoted Best Supporting ActressforGone Baby Goneby theNational Board of Review,[20]as well as the critics circles in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., Ryan's performance was also nominated for aGolden Globe Award,aScreen Actors Guild Award,[21]and anOscarforBest Performance by an Actress in a Supporting roleat the80th Academy Awards.[22]
Ryan appeared inChangeling(2008), directed byClint Eastwood,[5]and oppositeMatt DamoninPaul Greengrass'sGreen Zone(2010).[5][23]In September 2010, she completed filming a role inPhilip Seymour Hoffman's directorial film debut,Jack Goes Boating,taking over the role of Connie originally played by Beth Cole in thestage version.[18]Ryan received strong notices for her performance inTom McCarthy'sWin Winthe next year, winning Best Supporting Actress awards from multiple regional critics groups. From 2008 to 2011 She appeared for a six-episode arc onThe Officeas dorkyHRrepHolly Flax.She reprised her role onThe Officein seasons 5 and 7.[24]Ryan joined the cast of HBO'sIn Treatmentfor its third season in 2010, playing the therapist of Dr. Paul Weston.[25]
Ryan was a part of the core ensemble of the 2014Best Picture Academy Awardwinning filmBirdman,sharing in the cast'sScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picturevictory. In 2015, she starred as Mary Donovan opposite Tom Hanks in the filmBridge of Spies,and reunited with herIn Treatmentco-star Gabriel Byrne inLouder Than Bombs,the English-language debut ofJoachim Trier.Early the next year, Ryan was cast as Tracy, her first on-screen leading role,[26]inAbundant Acreage Available,a rural family drama fromJunebugscreenwriterAngus MacLachlan.Upon the film's premiere at the 2017Tribeca Film Festival,Ryan drew universal acclaim for her performance, withThe Wrapnoting that she "holds the screen no matter what she's doing and who she's with"[27]andFlavorwireraving that Ryan "sounds notes that are quietly dazzling in their complexity."[28]Varietychief film critic Peter Debruge dubbed the performance a career highlight:
It's a pleasure to see such a fine actress navigate the nuances of her role... Only on the big screen are we able to fully appreciate the minutely detailed nature of Ryan's performance, revealing Tracy's soul via the slightest narrowing of the eyes or the almost-subliminal tensing of her cheekbones. As we know,Junebugearned Amy Adams an Oscar nomination, and if the world were fair, this role would bring another Amy similar attention.[29]
Ryan received some of the best reviews of her career for her leading role in theRoundabout Theater Company's 2016 production ofLove, Love, Love.Ben BrantleyofThe New York Timespraised her "smashing comic performance,"[30]The Hollywood Reportercalled her work "emotionally vital,"[31]andThe Associated Pressraved that "Ryan is absolutely magnetic... nailing her charming, unpredictable character with perfect comedic timing."[32]In an article exploring various famous actresses working on the stage,The Washington Posttheater critic Peter Marks highlighted Ryan's work in the play:
The revelation is not that Amy Ryan is good. It's that she'sthisgood... Ryan, whose range has been apparent for years, in dramatic performances nominated for Tonys (Uncle Vanya) and Oscars (Gone Baby Gone), as well as in nuanced comic turns on television shows likeThe Office,manages a feat inLove, Love, Lovethat she's never accomplished so fluidly before: taking charge. She delivers a front-and-center performance of such beguiling dynamism (in a thoroughly convincing English accent) that you feel this Roundabout Theatre Company production has done for her precisely what was intended. It exposes a new facet of her talent — and leaves us with that uplifting itch, to be there the next time she's on a stage.[33]
For her performance inLove, Love, Love,Ryan won theObie Award for Distinguished Performance by an Actress,and was nominated for theDrama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play[34]and theDrama League Awardfor Distinguished Performance.[35]
2018–present
editIn 2018, Ryan co-starred inBeautiful BoyforAmazon Studios,a dark family drama, with herThe Officeco-starSteve Carell,andTimothée Chalamet.She was then among the ensemble cast of 2019'sLate Night,theMindy Kaling-penned comedy about a female late-night talk show host (Emma Thompson); andStrange but True,a noir-thriller based on the novel byJohn Searles.[36][37]In 2020, Ryan starred asMari Gilbert,a real life woman searching for her missing daughter, inNetflix's mystery thrillerLost Girls.
In 2021, Amy Ryan played Jan Bellows, a main role, in the first season of Hulu seriesOnly Murders in the Buildingco-starring withSteve Martin,Martin ShortandSelena Gomez.[38][39]In 2023 she appeared inAri Aster'sA24black comedy psychological horror filmBeau Is AfraidstarringJoaquin Phoenix.In the film she played Grace, who, alongsideNathan Lane's Roger, takes Beau in for a brief period of time.[40]
Personal life
editRyan married Eric Slovin[2][41][42]in 2011.[43]They have one daughter born in October 2009.[44][3]
Acting credits
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Roberta | Judy | |
| 2000 | You Can Count on Me | Rachel Louise Prescott | |
| A Pork Chop for Larry | Beth | Short film | |
| 2004 | Keane | Lynn Bedik | |
| 2005 | War of the Worlds | Neighbor with Toddler | |
| Capote | Marie Dewey | ||
| Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World | Emily Brooks | ||
| 2006 | Marvelous | Queenie | |
| 2007 | Gone Baby Gone | Helene McCready | |
| Neal Cassady | Carolyn Cassady | ||
| Before the Devil Knows You're Dead | Martha Hanson | ||
| Dan in Real Life | Eileen Burns | ||
| 2008 | Changeling | Carol Dexter | |
| 2009 | The Missing Person | Miss Charley | Also executive producer |
| Bob Funk | Ms. Wright | ||
| 2010 | Jack Goes Boating | Connie | |
| Green Zone | Lawrie Dayne | ||
| 2011 | Win Win | Jackie Flaherty | |
| 2013 | Breathe In | Megan Reynolds | |
| Escape Plan | Abigail Ross | ||
| Devil's Knot | Margaret Lax | ||
| 2014 | Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) | Sylvia | |
| 2015 | Don Verdean | Carol | |
| Louder Than Bombs | Hannah | ||
| Goosebumps | Gale Cooper | ||
| Bridge of Spies | Mary McKenna Donovan | ||
| 2016 | Central Intelligence | Agent Pamela Harris | |
| The Infiltrator | Bonni Tischler | ||
| Monster Trucks | Cindy Coley | ||
| 2017 | Abundant Acreage Available | Tracy Ledbetter | |
| 2018 | Beautiful Boy | Vicki Sheff | |
| 2019 | Late Night | Caroline Morton | |
| Strange but True | Charlene Chase | ||
| 2020 | Worth | Camille Biros | |
| Lost Girls | Mari Gilbert | ||
| 2023 | Beau Is Afraid | Grace | |
| 2024 | Wolfs | Margaret |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | As the World Turns | Renee | Unknown episodes |
| 1991 | Quantum Leap | Libby McBain | Episode: "Raped - June 20, 1980" |
| Brooklyn Bridge | Young Sophie | Episode: "Old Fools" | |
| 1992 | Home Improvement | Robin | Episode: "Luck Be a Taylor Tonight" |
| I'll Fly Away | Parkie Sasser | 6 episodes | |
| 1993; 2006 | Law & Order | Amy / Valerie Messick | 2 episodes |
| 1995 | Sirens | April Ward | Episode: "The Abduction" |
| ER | Sister Elizabeth | Episode: "Love Among the Ruins" | |
| 1995–1996 | The Naked Truth | Chloe Banks | 20 episodes |
| 1998 | Chicago Hope | Helen Sherwood | Episode: "Liver, Hold the Mushrooms" |
| A Will of Their Own | Carrie Baker | Miniseries | |
| 1999 | Homicide: Life on the Street | Erika Cullen | Episode: "A Case of Do or Die" |
| 2000 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Lorraine Hansen | Episode: "Bad Blood" |
| 2001–2002 | 100 Centre Street | Rebecca Rifkind / Ellen | 7 episodes |
| 2003; 2007 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Julie Turner / Edie Nelson | 2 episodes |
| 2003–2008 | The Wire | Beadie Russell | 20 episodes |
| 2004 | Third Watch | Dr. Jenny Hanson | Episode: "Last Will and Testament" |
| 2006 | American Experience | Luzena Wilson | Episode: "The Gold Rush" |
| 2006–2007 | Kidnapped | Maureen Campbell | 2 episodes |
| 2008 | Independent Lens | Anita Hoffman | Episode: "Chicago 10" |
| 2008–2011 | The Office | Holly Flax | 17 episodes |
| 2010 | In Treatment | Adele | 8 episodes |
| 2013 | Clear History | Wendy the Waitress | Television film |
| 2015–2017 | Broad City | Heidi Strand | 2 episodes |
| 2016–2019 | High Maintenance | Gigi | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | Robot Chicken | Lobster Lady /Psylocke/ Liesl von Trapp | Voice Episode: "Shall I Visit the Dinosaurs?" |
| 2020 | I'll Be Gone in the Dark | Michelle McNamara's Writings Read By | Voice 6 episodes |
| 2021–2022; 2024 | Only Murders in the Building | Jan Bellows | Main role |
| 2024 | Sugar | Melanie Matthews | Main Role |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Horror of Dolores Roach | Georgie | Fiction podcast series Episode: "The Single Greatest Threat to Our Survival" |
Theatre
edit| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | The Rimers of Eldritch | Lena Truitt | Second Stage Theatre,Off-Broadway | |
| 1992 | Hot Dog Hitman | Doris / Mrs. Garcia | West Bank Theatre, Off-Broadway | |
| 1993 | The Sisters Rosensweig | Tess Goode(replacement) | Ethel Barrymore Theatre,Broadway | |
| 1997 | Three Sisters | Natalya Ivanovna(replacement) | Criterion Center Stage, Broadway | |
| 2000 | Uncle Vanya | Sonya Alexandrovna | Brooks Atkinson Theatre,Broadway | |
| 2001 | Crimes of the Heart | Meg Magrath | Second Stage Theatre, Off-Broadway | |
| The Women | Peggy | American Airlines Theatre,Broadway | ||
| 2003 | Dublin Carol | Mary | Atlantic Theatre Company,Off-Broadway | |
| 2005 | A Streetcar Named Desire | Stella Kowalski | Studio 54,Broadway | |
| On the Mountain | Sarah | Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway | ||
| 2006 | The 24 Hour Plays | Susan | American Airlines Theatre, Broadway | |
| 2012 | Detroit | Mary | Playwright Horizons, Off-Broadway | |
| 2016 | Love, Love, Love | Sandra | Roundabout Theatre Company,Off-Broadway | |
| 2024 | Doubt | Sister Aloysius Beauvier | Todd Haimes Theatre,Broadway |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Association | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Academy Award | Best Supporting Actress | Gone Baby Gone | Nominated | [45] |
| 2007 | Golden Globe Award | Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture | Nominated | [46] | |
| 2007 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role | Nominated | [47] | |
| 2014 | Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture | Birdman | Won | [48] | |
| 2021 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Only Murders in the Building | Nominated | [49] | |
| 2000 | Tony Awards | Best Featured Actress in a Play | Uncle Vanya | Nominated | [50] |
| 2005 | Best Featured Actress in a Play | A Streetcar Named Desire | Nominated | [51] | |
| 2024 | Best Leading Actress in a Play | Doubt: A Parable | Nominated | [52] |
References
edit- ^"Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 3-9".Associated Press.May 27, 2020.RetrievedOctober 18,2023.
- ^abMarks, Peter (October 10, 2010)."Amy Ryan: A journeyman's actress co-stars in 'Jack Goes Boating'".The Washington Post.
- ^ab"Saturday (Day 2) at the Fair".Njherald.mycapture.Archived fromthe originalon October 31, 2014.RetrievedMay 23,2017.
Pam Dziewiontkowski, left,... Eric Slovin and Amy Ryan...
- ^Gross, Terry (2010)."Amy Ryan: From 'The Office' To The 'Green Zone'".NPR.Archivedfrom the original on March 14, 2010.RetrievedMarch 12,2010.
- ^abcdefghijklm"Amy Ryan".Hello.Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2010.RetrievedOctober 13,2010.
- ^"The Rimers of Eldritch".Lortel Archives—the Internet off-Broadway database. Archived fromthe originalon October 26, 2007.RetrievedNovember 4,2009.
- ^Review/Theater; Brooding Look at Dismal Lives in Wilson Revival,NY Times
- ^"Amy Ryan".Lortel Archives—the Internet off-Broadway database. Archived fromthe originalon October 3, 2012.RetrievedNovember 4,2009.
- ^As Bees in Honey Drown. (Lucille Lortel Theater, New York),VarietyJuly 28, 1997.
- ^Crimes of the Heart,CurtainUp
- ^"Saved, a CurtainUp review".Curtainup.February 25, 2001.RetrievedMay 23,2017.
- ^ab"Amy Ryan".ibdb.RetrievedNovember 4,2009.
- ^Tucker, Ken (November 3, 1995)."The Naked Truth"ArchivedDecember 20, 2014, at theWayback Machine.Entertainment Weekly.
- ^abcAmy RyanArchivedFebruary 5, 2010, at theWayback Machine
- ^"A Streetcar Named Desire, Studio 54".ibdb.RetrievedNovember 4,2009.
- ^"IBDB Person Awards".ibdb. Archived fromthe originalon October 21, 2012.RetrievedNovember 4,2009.
- ^abcSpotlight on Amy RyanArchivedOctober 30, 2013, at theWayback Machine,Comingsoon.net
- ^abSpeakeasy AMY RYANtwo.one.five magazine
- ^abActress Amy Ryan keeps things interesting, taking parts on stage, on screen and on TVArchivedMarch 8, 2012, at theWayback Machine,Monterey Herald
- ^"Past Awards".National Board of Review. Archived fromthe originalon December 8, 2009.RetrievedNovember 5,2009.
- ^Amy Ryan, Screen Actors Guild Award nomineeArchivedJuly 3, 2008, at theWayback Machine
- ^"The 80th Academy Awards | 2008".Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.October 7, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon November 9, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 29,2024.
- ^Q&A – Amy Ryan on What Affleck, Eastwood, and the Green Zone Director Have in CommonArchivedJuly 8, 2010, at theWayback Machine,FilmCritic
- ^Amy Ryan Returning to The Office,TVGuide
- ^"Amy Ryan Books Role on In Treatment".TV Guide.
- ^"SAGindie Interview: AMY RYAN of ABUNDANT ACREAGE AVAILABLE".September 27, 2017.
- ^Pond, Steve (April 20, 2017)."Abundant Acreage AvailableTribeca Review: Amy Ryan Owns This Quiet Family Drama ".The Wrap.RetrievedAugust 15,2017.
- ^Bailey, Jason (May 1, 2017)."The Best and Worst Movies of the Tribeca Film Festival".Flavorwire.Archived fromthe originalon August 16, 2017.RetrievedAugust 15,2017.
- ^Debruge, Peter (April 21, 2017)."Tribeca Film Review:Abundant Acreage Available".Variety.RetrievedAugust 15,2017.
- ^Brantley, Ben (October 19, 2016)."Review: In 'Love, Love, Love,' All You Need Is Selfishness".The New York Times.RetrievedMay 6,2017.
- ^Scheck, Frank (October 19, 2016)."'Love, Love, Love': Theater Review ".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedMay 6,2017.
- ^Farrar, Jennifer (October 20, 2016)."Review: The Kids Are Not Alright in Play 'Love, Love, Love'".Associated Press.RetrievedMay 6,2017.
- ^Marks, Peter (November 7, 2016)."When Casting About for Famous Actresses for the Stage, Choose Carefully".The Washington Post.RetrievedAugust 15,2017.
- ^Cox, Gordon (April 27, 2017)."'Hello, Dolly!' Dominates 2017 Drama Desk Nominations (Full List) ".Variety.RetrievedMay 6,2017.
- ^Cox, Gordon (April 19, 2017)."Daniel Craig, Cate Blanchett, Allison Janney Nominated for Drama League Awards".Variety.RetrievedMay 6,2017.
- ^Hipes, Patrick (March 15, 2017)."Amy Ryan Reunites With Steve Carell For Amazon'sBeautiful Boy".Deadline.RetrievedAugust 15,2017.
- ^Mitchell, Robert (May 17, 2017)."La La Land's Fred Berger to Produce Noir ThrillerStrange but True".Variety.RetrievedAugust 15,2017.
- ^"The Cast of 'Only Murders in the Building': Everything to Know".Peoplemag.RetrievedNovember 17,2023.
- ^Andreeva, Nellie (January 6, 2021)."Amy Ryan Joins Hulu Comedy Series 'Only Murders In The Building'".Deadline.RetrievedNovember 17,2023.
- ^"'Beau Is Afraid' Review: Joaquin Phoenix Grapples With Mother Issues in Ari Aster's Bonkers Freudian Freakout ".The Hollywood Reporter.April 11, 2023.RetrievedApril 16,2023.
- ^"Eric Slovin".Vulture.RetrievedSeptember 29,2024.
- ^"Eric Slovin".Television Academy.RetrievedSeptember 29,2024.
- ^Mottram, James (October 28, 2011)."Amy Ryan: Hollywood, motherhood and being unemployed".The Independent.RetrievedMay 16,2013.
- ^Everett, Cristina (October 21, 2009)."Amy Ryan and fiance Eric Slovin welcome baby girl, Georgia Gracie".New York Daily News.Archivedfrom the original on October 24, 2009.RetrievedNovember 5,2009.
- ^"80th Academy Awards".Oscars.org.October 7, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 28,2024.
- ^"Amy Ryan - Golden Globe Awards".Golden Globe Awards.RetrievedJanuary 28,2024.
- ^"14th Screen Actors Guild Awards".sagawards.org.RetrievedJanuary 28,2024.
- ^"21st Screen Actors Guild Awards".sagawards.org.RetrievedJanuary 28,2024.
- ^"28th Screen Actors Guild Awards".sagawards.org.RetrievedJanuary 28,2024.
- ^"2000 Tony Awards Nominees".American Theatre Wing.RetrievedJanuary 28,2024.
- ^"2005 Tony Awards Nominees".American Theatre Wing.RetrievedJanuary 28,2024.
- ^Sherman, Rachel (April 30, 2024)."Tony Awards Nominations 2024: The Complete List".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedApril 30,2024.
External links
edit
- Interview with Amy Ryan aboutGone Baby Goneat filmplosion (2008)
Metadata
- Amy Ryanat theInternet Broadway Database
- Amy Ryanat theInternet Off-Broadway Database
- Amy RyanatIMDb
- Amy Ryan: Film, Theater, and TV creditsfrom theHBOThe Wirewebsite, January 29, 2008
