Marisa Ryan is an American actress, best known for her role as Nina Grabowski in the HBO series Sex and the City, as Elizabeth Cooper-MacGillis in the CBS sitcom Major Dad (1989–1993), and as Abby Bernstein in the 2001 comedy film Wet Hot American Summer, its Netflix prequel series, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (2015) and its Netflix sequel series Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (2017).

Career

Ryan made her screen debut in a small role in the 1983 film Without a Trace. From 1989 to 1993, she starred as Elizabeth Cooper-MacGillis in the CBS sitcom Major Dad opposite Gerald McRaney. She later went to star in the Independent films Love Always (1996), Slaves to the Underground (1997), Taylor's Return (1997), and With or Without You (1998). In 1998, Ryan joined the cast of Fox police drama series New York Undercover as Det. Nell Delaney, during the show's fourth and final season. She later guest-starred on The Practice, Sex and the City, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Law & Order.

In 2001, Ryan co-starred as Abby Bernstein in the ensemble cast satirical comedy film Wet Hot American Summer. She reprised her role in the Netflix prequel series, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp in 2015. She also appeared in films Don's Plum (2001), Riding in Cars with Boys (2001), and Brooklyn Lobster (2005). In 1997, she made her directorial debut with the independent short film Three Women of Pain which she also co-wrote.

Personal life

Jeremy Sisto and Ryan were married in 1993. They separated but remained legally married until June 21, 2002.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1983Without a TraceJustine Norris
1996Love AlwaysJulia Bradshaw
1997Slaves to the UndergroundSuzy
Taylor's ReturnLiz
1998With or Without YouZoe
1999Man of the CenturyGertrude
TrashAlex Staley
Cold HeartsViktoria
2001Wet Hot American SummerAbby
Don's PlumAnna
The Cure for BoredomDanya
Riding in Cars with BoysJanet Donofrio - Age 19
2002Stella shortsCollege BuddyDirect-to-video
2003JusticeJulia
2004Confessions of a Dangerous MimeSusan StapletonShort
2005AlchemyBridesmaid
Brooklyn LobsterLauren Wallace
2007Puberty: The MovieLashonda
2010The Extra ManTanya
2017MiddlegroundMarcus' Wife
2019Human CapitalElla

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1989–1993Major DadElizabeth Cooper McGillis96 episodes
1996Boy Meets WorldIreneEpisode: "You Can Go Home Again"
1997Promised LandSamantha MarkovichEpisode: "The Collapse"
The PretenderHelen DiggsEpisode: "Unhappy Landings"
1998–1999New York UndercoverDet. Nell Delaney13 episodes
1999The PracticeCynthia SimonsonEpisode: "Closet Justice"
Sex and the CityNina G.Episode: "Twenty-Something Girls vs. Thirty-Something Women"
2000Mary and RhodaMeredith RousseauTelevision film
DeadlineStokesEpisode: "Pilot"
2002The Pennsylvania Miners' StoryLeslie MayhughTelevision film
HackMelissaEpisode: "All Night Long"
2003Law & Order: Special Victims UnitLaura BergeronEpisode: "Tragedy"
2005, 2008Law & OrderWoman with Drink/Stacey Ranson2 episodes
20081%MontanaTelevision film
2014The LeftoversImposterEpisode: "Guest"
2015Odd Mom OutKristaEpisode: "Brooklandia"
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of CampAbby3 episodes
The Mysteries of LauraSusanEpisode: "The Mystery of the Maternal Instinct"
2017Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years LaterAbby7 episodes
2019DivorceUrsulaEpisode: "Miami"

External links