In 1998, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks starred in what would become one of thebest romantic comediesin the history of cinema:You’ve Got Mail. Directed by Nora Ephron and inspired byParfumerie, the 1937 play by Miklós László, the movie recounts the story of Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox, two characters who become rivals after the opening of Joe’s bookstore, which threatens Kathleen’s family business. But there is a twist to this hateful relationship that they haven’t yet discovered: they are both engaged in an online romance, exchanging frequent e-mails with one another. The chemistry between the two lead actors goes beyond the screen, and part of this is due to the fact that this was not the first movie they co-starred in: Hanks and Ryan had already played as romantic interests inJoe Versus the VolcanoandSleepless in Seattle, the latter of which was also directed by Ephron.
Although this film waswell-received by criticsand audiences alike, it became embroiled in many controversies over the years. This was mostly due to the uneven power dynamic between the main characters, as outlined byThe Atlantic, and Joe’s behaviour throughout, constantly deceiving Kathleen, ignoring her requests, and even driving her into bankruptcy, an issue that is not fully addressed in the film, and cannot be fixed by just finding a new partner. Despite these issues,You’ve Got Mailremains part of thebest 90s rom-coms, showcasing some of the most famous actors of 90s cinema, who went on working in hits to this day. Here’s a look at where the cast ofYou’ve Got Mailis today.
Sara Ramírez
In this movie, a youngSara Ramirezplays Rose, the supermarket cashier who serves Kathleen. While this is a minor role, Ramirez makes this list for all of their work followingYou’ve Got Mail. In the same year of the film’s release, they made their stage debut inThe Capeman, a Broadway musical. The role that turned them into a major stage star was as The Lady of the Lake in the musicalSpamalot, which won them a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. However, it is safe to say that the role that made them a global star was as Dr. Callie Torres on Shonda Rhimes’long-running TV seriesGrey’s Anatomy. After their departure from the series, Ramirez came out as bisexual and, later, non-binary, and from that moment on, they have been working hard in leading campaigns for LGBTQ+ rights, which earned them an Ally for Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Their most recent work to date was their role as Che Diaz in the seriesAnd Just Like That, the spin-off ofSex and The City.
Related:All of Nora Ephron’s Movies, Ranked
Steve Zahn
Steve Zahnstarred as George Pappas, one of the workers at Kathleen’s bookstore, The Shop Around the Corner. While he already held a few films to his credit prior to Ephron’s rom-com, he kept himself busy from that year onward by playing roles in one movie after another. Some of the most outstanding ones wereBlaze,Dallas Buyers Club, andWar for the Planet of the Apes, although he also ventured into the children’s genre taking part in productions such asStuart Little,Daddy Day Care, andThe Good Dinosaur, among many others. His latest project to date was the romantic comedyTall Girl 2, directed by Emily Ting, and at the moment he is currently working onYour Place or Mine, another rom-com starring Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher, which currently has no premiere date set.
Heather Burns
Two years after playing Christina Plutzker, one of the staff members of The Shop Around the Corner,Heather Burnswould land the biggest role of her career: Cheryl Frasier in the 2000 filmMiss Congenialityand its sequelMiss Congeniality 2in 2005. Following her part inYou’ve Got Mail, Burns remained busy with supporting roles in a few movies, includingThe Fitzgerald Family ChristmasandManchester by the Sea, among others. Her latest project to date has been an appearance in the fifth episode of the HBO Max seriesJulia, based on the life of chef Julia Child.
Greg Kinnear
Greg Kinnearplayed Frank Navasky, Kathleen Kelly’s boyfriend. But this was not his first successful role: Kinnear had already earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work inAs Good as It Gets, the James L. Brooks film starring Jack Nicholson. Throughout his career, Kinnear starred in many popular films, includingLittle Men,Little Miss Sunshine, andDinner With Friends. His last feature film role so far was in the 2021 thrillerCrisis, and in July 2022, he will appear in the miniseriesBlack Birdalongside Taron Egerton and Paul Walter Hauser.
Parker Posey
Parker Posey’s performances in independent films in the 90s earned her the title of Queen of the Indies, taking part in productions such asSleep With MeandHenry Fool. However, the actress who gave life to Patricia Eden was not satisfied with just the success of that era and continued to star in a number of movies and TV series. Among the most well-known are her parts inColumbus,Scream 3,Café Society, and her leading role in the seriesHell on Heels: The Battle of Mary Kay. Her most recent projects so far were the TV seriesThe Staircaseand the movieDisappointment Blvd., which is set to be released in 2022.
Related:Highest-Grossing Romantic Comedies of All Time
Dave Chappelle
InYou’ve Got Mail,Dave Chappelleis Kevin Jackson, Joe Fox’s friend and confidant. Although Chappelle took part in some movies and TV series, after this rom-com his trajectory took a turn, as he decided to focus mostly on his comedy career, appearing in a great number of specials such asChappelle’s Show,The Closerand documentaries such asDave Chappelle’s Block PartyandDave Chappelle: Live in Real Life. His latest project to date wasNorm Macdonald: Nothing Special, the late comedian’s very last special. Chappelle’s career achievements include five Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
The starring actress in this rom-com was already famous long before its release: in 1989,Meg Ryanwas the lead inWhen Harry Met Sally, a blockbuster movie that made its way around the world. Through these productions, and many others, Ryan established herself as one of the most successful actresses of the 90s and 2000s, especially in the romantic comedy genre. Ryan continued to participate in films and television productions until 2015, when she decided to give directing a try and took the lead inIthaca, a film in which she also starred alongside Hanks and other actors. Recently, Ryan announced via social networks that she is working as director and actress inWhat Happens Later, the movie that will mark hercomeback to the rom-com genre.
Tom Hanks' career seems to keep going steadily upward. Over the years, the actor who brought Joe Fox to life has become a cultural icon and the fourth-highest-grossing actor in North America. Yet his career breakthrough came early, as by 1994 he had already won two Oscars for his roles inPhiladelphiaandForrest Gump. FromYou’ve Got Mailonwards, Hanks went on to participate in blockbuster films, and earned himself an equally successful reputation as an actor in both comedic and dramatic roles. Among his best-known post-1998 films areCatch Me If You Can,The Terminal,Apollo 13, and his role as Woody in the popular franchiseToy Story. The year 2022 is a busy one for Hanks, as he has three movies coming up:Elvis,Pinocchio’s live-action adaptation, andA Man Called Otto. His outstanding work over the years has established him as one of the best actors in history.
