Meg Ryan Says She Dumped Crowe

June 29, 2001 -- Meg Ryan's camp wants the public to know that it was Ryan who ended her tabloid-fodder romance last year with Russell Crowe.

In the new People magazine, friends of the messy-haired actress say that, contrary to reports in the gossip columns that had the Oscar-winning Aussie dumping a clingy and possessive Ryan, bad boy Crowe was actually ready to settle down with the still-married star.

Ryan, Quaid Reportedly on Friendly Terms

While having Crowe's baby may be a fantasy of many fans, an unnamed friend of Ryan's says that the 39-year-old actress passed on the chance to breed with the actor.

"Russell wanted to marry Meg and have kids with her," says the friend, who adds that although Ryan was "extremely infatuated with Crowe," she wasn't ready for another serious relationship.

Ryan, who has said that her nearly 10-year marriage to Dennis Quaid had cooled by the time she took up with Crowe on the set of Proof of Life, reportedly felt that Crowe's lavish gifts of a 1963 Buick Riviera and a puppy were "too much too soon," according to her anonymous chum.

The perky star is reportedly miffed that Crowe hasn't told her side of the story in the breakup, although he has respectfully referred to his former flame as "a courageous and beautiful woman" since the split.

Ryan is reportedly now on friendly terms with ex-husband Quaid, with whom she shares custody of their son, Jack.