Skip to content
MovieCove
Amy Ryan

Amy Ryan

Actor, also producer · Born May 3, 1968 (58) · Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Screen Actors Guild Award winner · Oscar nominee · Golden Globe nominee · 1 other major award body

Amy Beth Dziewiontkowski (born May 3, 1968), known professionally as Amy Ryan, is an American actress. She has been nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her performance in Gone Baby Gone (2007) and is also known for her roles in the HBO series The Wire, playing Port Authority Officer Beadie Russell; In Treatment, playing psychiatrist Adele Brousse; and The Office, playing human resources representative Holly Flax. Ryan was born in Queens, New York City. She is the daughter of Pam, a nurse, and John, a trucking business owner. Ryan is her mother's maiden name. She is of English, Irish, and Polish descent. Growing up in the 1970s, Ryan and her sister delivered the Daily News by bike. At a young age, Ryan attended the Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Center in upstate New York. At 17, she graduated from New York's High School of Performing Arts. Hired for the national tour of Biloxi Blues right out of high school, Ryan worked steadily off-Broadway for the next decade.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 3, 1968 (58)
From
Queens, New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
54 on MovieCove · 66 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 4% in 30 days

What are Amy Ryan's films like?

Across their 40 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Drama10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Biography6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 87th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
25%
Self
25%
Bonds
23%
Survival
12%
Society
7%
Ideas
5%
Power
3%
Family bonds13 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief9 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 37 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 12 · Serious 8 · Dark 17

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 27 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 10 · Charged 13 · Intense 14

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 15 · Shifting 19 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 22 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 5

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 17 · Even-paced 16 · Relentless 4

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 21 · Full focus 5

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 11 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 15

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 22 · Open-ended 10 · Ambiguous 5

Roles they play

15 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 5 of 15 analyzed roles.

Ally
5 of 15
Mentor
3 of 15
Threshold guardian
2 of 15
Hero
2 of 15
Trickster
1 of 15
Herald
1 of 15
Shadow
1 of 15
Show the 15 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
29
Melancholic
20
Contemplative
17
Warm
11
Dread
7
Other
30

How their films linger

Thought-provoking17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 9 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet21
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous9

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Amy Ryan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 45 of their 54 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (18).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Amy Ryan's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

66 credits, 54 with a MovieCove page; 8 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • A Statement(2026)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Wolfs(2024)

    as Margaret

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Sugar(2024)

    Show 8 episodes · as Melanie Matthews

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • Passing Through(2023)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Beau Is Afraid(2023)

    as Grace

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Only Murders in the Building(2021)

    Show 15 episodes · as Jan Bellows

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Worth(2020)

    as Camille Biros

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • I'll Be Gone in the Dark(2020)

    Show 7 episodes · as Michelle McNamara's Words (voice)

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Lost Girls(2020)

    as Mari Gilbert

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Strange But True(2019)

    as Charlene Chase

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Late Night(2019)

    as Caroline Morton

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Beautiful Boy(2018)

    as Vicki Sheff

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Abundant Acreage Available(2017)

    as Tracy

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Monster Trucks(2016)

    as Cindy Coley

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Infiltrator(2016)

    as Bonni Tischler

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Central Intelligence(2016)

    as Pamela Harris

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Don Verdean(2015)

    as Carol

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Bridge of Spies(2015)

    as Mary Donovan

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Louder Than Bombs(2015)

    as Hannah Brennan

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Goosebumps(2015)

    as Gale

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)(2014)

    as Sylvia

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Broad City(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Heidi Strand

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Rick and Morty(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Marjorie (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Escape Plan(2013)

    as Abigail Ross

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Clear History(2013)

    as Wendy

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Devil's Knot(2013)

    as Margaret Lax

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Breathe In(2013)

    as Megan Reynolds

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Win Win(2011)

    as Jackie Flaherty

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Jack Goes Boating(2010)

    as Connie

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Green Zone(2010)

    as Lawrie Dayne

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Bob Funk(2009)

    as Ms. Wright

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Missing Person(2009)

    Executive Producer · as Miss Charley

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Changeling(2008)

    as Carol Dexter

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Chicago 10(2007)

    as Anita Hoffman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Marvelous (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Queenie

  • In Treatment(2008)

    Show 8 episodes · as Adele Brouse

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Dan in Real Life(2007)

    as Eileen

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Before the Devil Knows You're Dead(2007)

    as Martha Hanson

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Gone Baby Gone(2007)

    as Helene McCready

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Kidnapped (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World(2005)

    as Emily Brooks

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Capote(2005)

    as Marie Dewey

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • War of the Worlds(2005)

    as Neighbor With Toddler

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Office(2005)

    Show 17 episodes · as Holly Flax

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Keane(2004)

    as Lynn Bedik

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Peggy

  • The Wire(2002)

    Show 20 episodes · as Beadie Russell

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Baseball Wives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Megan Salerno

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Edie Nelson · as Julie Turner

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • 100 Centre Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ellen · as Rebecca Rifkind

  • You Can Count on Me(2000)

    as Mrs. Prescott

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Third Watch(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Jenny Hanson

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Lorraine Hansen

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Roberta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Judy

  • A Will of their Own (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Carrie Baker

  • Remembering Sex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Elaine Devlin

  • The Naked Truth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 20 episodes · as Chloe Banks

  • ER(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sister Elizabeth

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Helen Sherwood

  • Homicide: Life on the Street(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Erika Cullen

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • In the Deep Woods(1992)

    as Beth

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Brooklyn Bridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Home Improvement(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Robin

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Amy · as Valerie Messick

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Quantum Leap(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Libby McBain

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • NDA (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 66 titles, 65 of them dated from 1989 to 2026; peak year 2015.

Biggest box office

Central Intelligence (2016)

$217M worldwide

Highest rated

Gone Baby Gone (2007)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Only Murders in the Building (2021)

Film career

MilestoneAward winNomination
19892026

Peak 2015 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 16 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting66 of 66: 65 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score74thProducing1 of 66: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s13 · acting2000s21 · 21 acting · 1 crew2010s21 · acting2020s9 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 6% of 32 roles
001015

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

a Screen Actors Guild Award and 1 other major award from 8 major nominations, 2008–2022.

WinNomination
  1. 2022
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
  2. 2015
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, won · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
  3. 2008
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
    • +1 other major body · 1 win and 2 nominations
      • Critics Choice Award, won · Best Supporting Actress
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated ×2 · Best Acting Ensemble

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Amy Ryan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 68th percentile, the median of all 38; across their 37 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 64th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 37

Approval · how many liked their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 37

Reach · how many have seen their films

93rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 37

Midcredits score across 54 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up27
  • 50th to 74th18
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

26 of their 54 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved16
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser26
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Passing Through (2023)

99th percentile spread · 50% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Office (2005)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 77/100 in their films, across 35 reviewed titles; fans 83, detractors 53. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Amy Ryan's work okay for kids?

Across up to 29 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore23 titles27–79 · median 56 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity29 titles11–50 · median 27 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity25 titles38–88 · median 69 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs23 titles16–76 · median 35 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense23 titles23–78 · median 54 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Amy Ryan work with?

People who share at least 2 of Amy Ryan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Tom McCarthy shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers

Producers

Mixed roles