Where Are the Stars of When Harry Met Sally Now? A Look at Their Lives Today and How They Remembered Director Rob Reiner

Billy Crystal, Rob Reiner, and Meg Ryan in 1989.
Credit:

Andy Schwartz/Castle Rock/Nelson/Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

Key Highlights

• When Harry Met Sally… premiered in July 1989 and quickly became a cherished romantic comedy.
• Stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan have enjoyed lasting careers in Hollywood.
• Since the film’s release, two cast members and director Rob Reiner have passed away.

The ensemble of When Harry Met Sally… is hailed as iconic within the romantic comedy genre. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal portrayed the unforgettable characters Sally Albright and Harry Burns, engaging in lively debates about platonic friendships between men and women. This celebrated film first graced theaters on July 21, 1989.

Notably, the film introduced the widely quoted scene, “I’ll have what she’s having,” and featured one of the most memorable New Year’s Eve speeches in cinematic history. For her work, screenwriter Nora Ephron earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen in 1990.

Additionally, the film sparked a real-life romance between director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner. The couple, who met during production, were together for 36 years before their tragic deaths in an apparent homicide in December 2025. Their son, Nick Reiner, has since been charged with their murders.

As the 35th anniversary approaches, many wonder where the cast of When Harry Met Sally… is now. Here’s an update on the lives of these beloved stars.

01
of 05

Billy Crystal as Harry Burns

Billy Crystal as Harry Burns in ‘When Harry Met Sally’; Billy Crystal attends the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Untogether’ on Feb. 8, 2019, in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Columbia/Courtesy of Everett Collection; Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Crystal’s portrayal of Harry Burns garnered him a Golden Globe nomination. He often reflects on the film’s impact, sharing that it has become a cherished classic for generations. “Almost 35 years later, we’re still a couple to everybody,” Crystal remarked at the 46th Kennedy Center Honors in December 2023.

Crystal, a six-time Emmy winner, has since hosted multiple Academy Awards and lent his voice to the character Mike Wazowski in Disney’s Monsters, Inc. His career also includes five published books and a successful return to live comedy, plus a stint on Broadway in Mr. Saturday Night, a musical adaptation of his earlier film.

Following Rob Reiner’s passing, Crystal shared a heartfelt tribute alongside other collaborators, expressing the lasting influence Reiner had on their lives.

The tribute stated, “They were a special force together—dynamic and inspiring. We were their friends, and we will miss them forever.”

02
of 05

Meg Ryan as Sally Albright

Meg Ryan as Sally Albright in ‘When Harry Met Sally’; Meg Ryan at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City when the Friar’s Club honored Billy Crystal with their Entertainment Icon Award.

Castle Rock/Nelson/Columbia/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Getty Images

Ryan’s engaging performance left a lasting mark, earning her a Golden Globe nomination while launching her to stardom in other romantic comedies, such as Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail.

Discovering her passion for directing, Ryan directed and starred in the 2015 film Ithaca. She further returned to the director’s chair for the upcoming romantic comedy What Happens Later, premiering in November 2023, alongside David Duchovny.

Crystal praised her directorial effort, stating, “I’m so happy she got to direct again. We’re very lucky.” In the wake of Reiner’s death, Ryan expressed her condolences with a heartfelt Instagram post, celebrating the director’s impact on their lives.

03
of 05

Carrie Fisher as Marie

Carrie Fisher as Marie in ‘When Harry Met Sally’; Carrie Fisher at Barnes & Noble signing copies of her book ‘The Princess Diarist’ on Nov. 28, 2016.

Columbia/Courtesy of Everett Collection; Getty Images

Fisher portrayed Sally’s best friend, Marie, delivering a comedic performance that played a crucial role in connecting Sally and Harry. Known primarily for her iconic role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise, Fisher passed away in 2016 at age 60.

Crystal mourned her loss, stating, “She was brilliantly talented, a wonderful actress and an amazing writer. It’s a terrible loss.”

04
of 05

Bruno Kirby as Jess

Bruno Kirby as Jess in ‘When Harry Met Sally’; Bruno Kirby at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles, Calif.

Castle Rock/Nelson/Columbia/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Robert C. Mora/WireImage

Kirby played Jess, Marie’s love interest, evolving their relationship through humorous exchanges. He had a prolific career, appearing in films such as The Godfather Part II, and Good Morning, Vietnam. Kirby passed away in 2006 at age 57 from complications related to leukemia.

05
of 05

Steven Ford as Joe

Steven Ford as Joe in ‘When Harry Met Sally’; Steven Ford reads from the Bible during the funeral service of former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford on Jan. 3, 2007, in East Grand Rapids, Mich.

Columbia; Rex Larsen-Pool/Getty Images

Ford portrayed Joe, Harry’s neighbor, who begins dating Sally five years after their initial encounter. The son of former President Gerald Ford, Ford also appeared on the soap opera The Young and the Restless and last acted in the film Transformers in 2007.