---
name: "Amy Ryan"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/amy-ryan"
fi1m_id: "amy-ryan"
imdb_id: "nm0752407"
tmdb_id: 39388
wikidata_id: "Q231203"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "3 May 1968"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 12
updated: "2026-10-09T19:22:06.694473+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Amy Ryan

## Identity

Amy Ryan

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/amy-ryan
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** amy-ryan
- **IMDb ID:** nm0752407
- **TMDB ID:** 39388
- **Wikidata ID:** Q231203
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Ryan, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q231203, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0752407/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/39388

Actor. Born 3 May 1968 in Queens, New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 3 May 1968, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 2002–present
- **Also known as:** Amy Beth Dziewiontkowski
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 12 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 78 (5), 2010s 72 (4), 2020s 65 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 71 across 12 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 10 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 9, Crime 5, Mystery 4, Adventure 3, Comedy 3, Thriller 3
- **Screen time:** 19 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,209m across 9 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Ryan, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q231203, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0752407/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/39388

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Green Zone*](https://film.one/film/green-zone.md) (64), [*Sugar*](https://film.one/tv/sugar.md) (58)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Capote*](https://film.one/film/capote.md) (84)
- **HBO Max:** [*Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)*](https://film.one/film/birdman-or-the-unexpected-virtue-of-ignorance.md) (82)
- **Hulu:** [*Gone Baby Gone*](https://film.one/film/gone-baby-gone.md) (79)
- **Disney+:** [*Only Murders in the Building*](https://film.one/tv/only-murders-in-the-building.md) (76)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Beautiful Boy*](https://film.one/film/beautiful-boy.md) (68)
- **Tubi:** [*Beau Is Afraid*](https://film.one/film/beau-is-afraid.md) (60)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Amy Ryan

> Amy Ryan can make a welcome feel faintly threatening. We rate her understated supporting work, which makes room for other actors while giving us reason to look twice at the person offering to help.

In *Beau Is Afraid* (2023), Amy Ryan’s Grace is far too pleased to have a guest. She and Nathan Lane, playing Roger, make the couple’s kindness feel conditional. We felt uneasy in their company because their eagerness to look after Beau never seemed quite generous. The pastel house Crombie gives them helps, with Beau’s borrowed grey clothes making him look conspicuously out of place.

*Capote* (2005), directed by Bennett Miller, casts her as Marie Dewey, the sheriff’s wife, alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman. Ryan is one member of a company built around Hoffman, whose performance makes the writer’s exploitation of trust painfully human. The part is an early example of the ensemble work on which her screen reputation rests. Miller’s film is absorbing and superbly acted, though the screenplay spends more time on its subject’s failings than his talent.

The breakthrough came with Ben Affleck’s *Gone Baby Gone* (2007), in which she played Helene McCready, a harder-edged part that drew attention to her dramatic strength. Her recurring role as Holly Flax in *The Office* (2008–2011) put her alongside Steve Carell and made more use of her light comic timing. She is good at letting a supporting part remain a supporting part without making it anonymous.

*Beau Is Afraid* also shows the limit of what this sort of acting can do for a film. Ryan and Lane occupy its best-written stretch, but Ari Aster keeps going long after the film has lost its shape, and their scenes cannot correct that. Her work is a reason to endure some of its excesses, not a reason to deny them. For an evening with fewer reservations, start with *Capote*; return to Grace when there is patience for three hours of dread.

## Biography

Amy Ryan is an American actress. She was born Amy Beth Dziewiontkowski on 3 May 1968 in Queens, New York City. She trained at the High School of Performing Arts and began her professional stage career in 1987, appearing in the national tour of *Biloxi Blues* immediately after graduation. Her Broadway debut came in 1993.

Ryan received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her role as Helene McCready in *Gone Baby Gone* (2007). She is also known for playing Beadie Russell in the HBO series *The Wire*, Holly Flax in *The Office*, and Sylvia in *Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)* (2014). Other film credits include *Changeling* (2008), *Bridge of Spies* (2015) and *Beau Is Afraid* (2023), in which she played Grace. She has received multiple Tony Award nominations for her stage work.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (12)

- *Sugar* (2024), Fi1m 58, as Melanie Matthews — [page](https://film.one/tv/sugar.md)
- *Beau Is Afraid* (2023), Fi1m 60, as Grace — [page](https://film.one/film/beau-is-afraid.md)
- *Only Murders in the Building* (2021), Fi1m 76, as Jan Bellows — [page](https://film.one/tv/only-murders-in-the-building.md)
- *Beautiful Boy* (2018), Fi1m 68, as Vicki Sheff — [page](https://film.one/film/beautiful-boy.md)
- *Bridge of Spies* (2015), Fi1m 75, as Mary Donovan — [page](https://film.one/film/bridge-of-spies.md)
- *Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Sylvia — [page](https://film.one/film/birdman-or-the-unexpected-virtue-of-ignorance.md)
- *Green Zone* (2010), Fi1m 64, as Lawrie Dayne — [page](https://film.one/film/green-zone.md)
- *Changeling* (2008), Fi1m 68, as Carol Dexter — [page](https://film.one/film/changeling.md)
- *Gone Baby Gone* (2007), Fi1m 79, as Helene McCready — [page](https://film.one/film/gone-baby-gone.md)
- *Capote* (2005), Fi1m 84, as Marie Dewey — [page](https://film.one/film/capote.md)
- *War of the Worlds* (2005), Fi1m 70, as Neighbor with Toddler — [page](https://film.one/film/war-of-the-worlds.md)
- *The Wire* (2002), Fi1m 90, as Beadie Russell — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wire.md)

## Complete filmography (67)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *A Statement* (2026), Actor
- *Wolfs* (2024), as Margaret
- *Sugar* (2024), series, as Melanie Matthews — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/tv/sugar.md)
- *Passing Through* (2023), Actor
- *Beau Is Afraid* (2023), as Grace — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/beau-is-afraid.md)
- *Only Murders in the Building* (2021), series, as Jan Bellows — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/only-murders-in-the-building.md)
- *Worth* (2021), as Camille Biros
- *I'll Be Gone in the Dark* (2020), series, as Michelle McNamara's Words (voice)
- *Lost Girls* (2020), as Mari Gilbert
- *Strange but True* (2019), as Charlene Chase
- *Late Night* (2019), as Caroline Morton
- *Beautiful Boy* (2018), as Vicki Sheff — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/beautiful-boy.md)
- *Abundant Acreage Available* (2017), as Tracy
- *Monster Trucks* (2016), as Cindy Coley
- *The Infiltrator* (2016), as Bonni Tischler
- *Central Intelligence* (2016), as Pamela Harris
- *Don Verdean* (2015), as Carol
- *Bridge of Spies* (2015), as Mary Donovan — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/bridge-of-spies.md)
- *Louder Than Bombs* (2015), as Hannah Brennan
- *Goosebumps* (2015), as Gale
- *Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)* (2014), as Sylvia — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/birdman-or-the-unexpected-virtue-of-ignorance.md)
- *Broad City* (2014), series, as Heidi Strand — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/broad-city.md)
- *Rick and Morty* (2013), series, as Marjorie (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md)
- *Escape Plan* (2013), as Abigail Ross
- *Clear History* (2013), as Wendy
- *Devil's Knot* (2013), as Margaret Lax
- *Breathe In* (2013), as Megan Reynolds
- *Win Win* (2011), as Jackie Flaherty
- *Jack Goes Boating* (2010), as Connie
- *Green Zone* (2010), as Lawrie Dayne — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/green-zone.md)
- *Bob Funk* (2009), as Ms. Wright
- *The Missing Person* (2009), as Miss Charley · Executive Producer
- *Changeling* (2008), as Carol Dexter — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/changeling.md)
- *Chicago 10* (2008), as Anita Hoffman (voice)
- *Marvelous* (2008), as Queenie
- *In Treatment* (2008), series, as Adele Brouse
- *Dan in Real Life* (2007), as Eileen
- *Before the Devil Knows You're Dead* (2007), as Martha Hanson
- *Gone Baby Gone* (2007), as Helene McCready — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/gone-baby-gone.md)
- *Kidnapped* (2006), series, Actor
- *Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World* (2006), as Emily Brooks
- *Capote* (2005), as Marie Dewey — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/capote.md)
- *War of the Worlds* (2005), as Neighbor with Toddler — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/war-of-the-worlds.md)
- *The Office* (2005), series, as Holly Flax — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md)
- *Keane* (2004), as Lynn Bedik
- *The Women* (2002), as Peggy
- *The Wire* (2002), series, as Beadie Russell — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wire.md)
- *Baseball Wives* (2002), as Megan Salerno
- *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Julie Turner, Edie Nelson
- *100 Centre Street* (2001), series, as Ellen, Rebecca Rifkind
- *You Can Count on Me* (2000), as Mrs. Prescott
- *Third Watch* (1999), series, as Dr. Jenny Hanson
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Lorraine Hansen
- *Roberta* (1999), as Judy
- *A Will of their Own* (1998), series, as Carrie Baker
- *Remembering Sex* (1998), as Elaine Devlin
- *The Naked Truth* (1995), series, as Chloe Banks
- *ER* (1994), series, as Sister Elizabeth — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Helen Sherwood
- *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), series, as Erika Cullen — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md)
- *In the Deep Woods* (1992), as Beth
- *Brooklyn Bridge* (1991), series, Actor
- *Home Improvement* (1991), series, as Robin
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Amy, Valerie Messick — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Quantum Leap* (1989), series, as Libby McBain
- *NDA*, Actor
- *Goosebumps 3: Cursed Christmas*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Sundance TV, Sundance Film Festival 2020, Park City UT](https://film.one/media/person/18496/gallery-e001e289bb54.jpg) Sundance TV, Sundance Film Festival 2020, Park City UT — PunkToad, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Actors_Panel_with_Mia_Galuppo%2C_Amy_Ryan%2C_%40Winston_Duke_%2C_Elle_Lorraine%2C_Meredith_Hagner_and_Ben_Whishaw.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Actress Amy Ryan at the 81st Venice International Film Festival (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/18496/gallery-6d0b6c483b86.jpg) Actress Amy Ryan at the 81st Venice International Film Festival (2024) — Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Amy_Ryan-60115.jpg/1280px-Amy_Ryan-60115.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Amy Ryan](https://film.one/media/person/18496/gallery-bead00545304.jpg) Amy Ryan — Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Amy_Ryan-60157.jpg/1280px-Amy_Ryan-60157.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Amy Ryan, an Academy Award-nominated and Tony Award-nominated American actress. (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/18496/gallery-92bfc15ca122.jpg) Amy Ryan, an Academy Award-nominated and Tony Award-nominated American actress. (2007) — Shirley Clyde, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Amy_Ryan_2007.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Amy Ryan](https://film.one/media/person/18496/gallery-8c1f76e43286.jpg) Amy Ryan — Image via TMDB
- ![Amy Ryan](https://film.one/media/person/18496/gallery-b66d00289bb7.jpg) Amy Ryan — Image via TMDB
- ![Amy Ryan](https://film.one/media/person/18496/gallery-5aec98a67731.jpg) Amy Ryan — Image via TMDB
- ![Amy Ryan at the premiere of Beautiful Boy, 2018 Toronto Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/18496/gallery-d4bbaa196776.jpg) Amy Ryan at the premiere of Beautiful Boy, 2018 Toronto Film Festival. — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Amy_Ryan_2018.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Amy Ryan](https://film.one/media/person/18496/gallery-0765aecde848.jpg) Amy Ryan — Image via TMDB
- ![Amy Ryan](https://film.one/media/person/18496/gallery-28fb4f961fbb.jpg) Amy Ryan — Image via TMDB
- ![Amy Ryan](https://film.one/media/person/18496/gallery-e3117fbc4be9.jpg) Amy Ryan — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2008: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Gone Baby Gone*

### Other awards — 0 won, 2 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 2005: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 2000: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (nominated)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/amy-ryan