Amy Ryan is a highly accomplished actor who has continuously proven her talents in her film and television performances. She is a dynamic actor with a sheer emotional range. Ryan earned an Academy Award nomination for her brilliant performance as a drug addicted mother in Ben Affleck’s movie Gone Baby Gone. With that performance, she proved that she is perfectly capable of taking on darker roles. She lit up the screen as the goofy and lovable Holly Flax in The Office, and was a great addition to the show. Ryan has also had many accomplishments on stage and has been nominated for two Tony Awards.
Ryan was born in Flushing, Queens in New York City and was very interested in the performing arts from a very young age. She made her off-Broadway debut at the Westside Theater in the production of A Shayna Maidel. She continued to work in theater in productions including Uncle Vanya, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Love, Love, Love. Ryan eventually moved to television, premiering in shows such as ER, Law and Order, and Chicago Hope. She made her film debut in the 1999 film, Roberta. Since then, Ryan has been lighting up the screen with her brilliant performances. Let’s dive into her best performances, ranked.
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7 Only Murders in the Building
Hulu
In the acclaimed series, Only Murders in the Building, Ryan plays a bassoonist who becomes the love interest of Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin). Her character is likable and relatable, but quickly takes a dark turn. We soon find out that her character is the murderer of the series, and we are given a great character arc. Ryan proved that she can quickly change the persona of her character at the drop of a hat, and just as easily play a villain as she can a lover. Her chemistry with Martin was top-notch, and she was a great addition to the series.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
6 Beautiful Boy
In the dramatic film Beautiful Boy, Ryan plays Vicki Sheff, the mother of her drug-addicted son Nic Sheff (Timothée Chalamet). Although she has a supporting role, she is a scene-stealer and perfectly showcases the turmoil of a mother losing her son to drugs. It was a performance filled with desperation and pain, and Ryan absolutely nailed it as a mother that literally has no idea how to help her drug addicted son.
5 Win Win
Fox Searchlight Pictures
In the independent film Win Win, Ryan plays the caring wife, Jackie Flaherty, who supports her husband Mike (played by Paul Giamatti) after he takes in a troubled teen, played by Alex Shaffer. Ryan gives an honest performance as a loving and caring mother with a big heart. At the same time, her chemistry with Giamatti is outstanding. The movie, as a whole, is an endearing story that focuses on love and family.
4 In Treatment
HBO
In the acclaimed HBO series In Treatment, Ryan plays Adele Brouse in Season 3. Her character is a psychoanalyst who attempts to help Paul Weston (Gabriel Byrne) with his life and relationship. Ryan is totally convincing as a psychoanalyst and her chemistry with Byrne was top-notch. She gives an effective and honest performance through her emotion and line delivery.
3 The Office
NBC
Ryan was the perfect addition to the ensemble cast of The Office, and was totally convincing as the woman destined to be with Michael Scott (Steve Carell). Her character was quirky, yet intelligent, and lit up the screen in every episode. Her chemistry with Carell was totally convincing, and it was no doubt that their characters were destined to be with one another. At the same time, Ryan continuously showed her comedic chops with her character of Holly Flax.
2 Jack Goes Boating
Overture Films
In Philip Seymour Hoffman’s directorial debut Jack Goes Boating, Ryan plays the main love interest of Jack (Hoffman). One of her character’s main traits shown in the film are her deep intimacy issues. Ryan gives an honest performance as a woman struggling with these issues, and also as someone who has experienced abuse. Her chemistry with Hoffman was fantastic and Ryan proved her talents once again.
1 Gone Baby Gone
Miramax Films
In Ben Affleck’s Gone Baby Gone, based on the novel of the same name, Amy Ryan plays a tough and drug addicted mother named Helene McCready. Ryan is brilliant every minute that she is on-screen and proved that she can take on darker roles. Her physicality showcases a damaged woman who is also desperate to get her daughter back. At the same time, she perfectly nailed the Boston accent. Ryan was deservingly nominated for an Academy Award for her performance.
