Meg Ryan's forgotten fame

Actress Meg Ryan attends the Women in Film 2008 Crystal and Lucy Awards in Beverly Hills, California June 17, 2008. The awards, presented by Women In Film, Los Angeles, honor outstanding women for their contribution to the entertainment industry. [Agencies]

Meg Ryan is pleased about being "less famous". The 'Sleepless In Seattle' star believes her affair with Hollywood tough guy Russell Crowe in 2000 - which ended her nine-year marriage to Dennis Quaid - actually reduced her profile.

She said: "I think it's great being less famous. I blame the fact I had, shall we say, a meeting with Russell Crowe. "I had never seen or heard such bad press about me and it's been great in a funny kind of way. It was a good thing because I now realise the world does not revolve around me."

Earlier this month, Meg revealed she found it incredibly difficult to have a successful career and a relationship.

She said: "It's very difficult to be a career person and have a relationship. I didn't succeed at doing it at all. It's incredibly hard. "I think you have to figure out some way of keeping all of those capabilities and requirements in your life in balance."