Biography
The capable and effective actress Amy Ryan proved herself adept at a myriad of portrayals in many genres. Ryan was often, though not always, cast as a solid and dependable housewife, mother, or girlfriend, per her contributions to the 2004
Keane (as the impoverished single mother of a young girl, who unwittingly entrusts her daughter to a schizophrenic), the 2006
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (as
Albert Brooks' wife and straight man), and the 2005
Capote (as the wife of
Chris Cooper's no-nonsense sheriff). On television, Ryan gained notice as Officer Beatrice "Beadie" Russell on the critically acclaimed HBO drama series
The Wire.
In 2007, Ryan ascended several notches in terms of feature billing with her portrayal of Carolyn Cassady, the wife of 1950s icon Neal Cassady, in director Noah Buschel's eponymous biopic of the legendary beatnik. Ryan also tackled a small supporting role in the
Steve Carell comedy
Dan in Real Life. That same year, her work in two crime films catapulted her even further into the limelight. As the mother of the missing girl in
Gone Baby Gone, Ryan earned rave reviews and dominated the year-end critics awards for Best Supporting Actress, garnering Screen Actors Guild, Golden Globe, and Oscar nominations in the process. Her work as
Ethan Hawke's dissatisfied ex-wife in
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead helped cement her new status as a rising star. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide