Dennis Quaid’s Life: Health, Relationships & Twins

Dennis Quaid’s newborn twins survived a massive heparin overdose in 2007, a medical error that turned the actor into a patient safety advocate. The “Right Stuff” star has also navigated a high-profile divorce and a faith-driven comeback.

Born: April 9, 1954 ·
Age: 70 (as of 2024) ·
Spouse: Laura Savoie (m. 2020) ·
Children: 3 (Jack, Thomas, Zoe) ·
Years active: 1975–present

Six key facts about Dennis Quaid, one pattern: his life spans decades of Hollywood highs and personal lows.

Key biographical details are listed below.

What happened between Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid?

How did they meet?

• Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan met on the set of the 1988 film “D.O.A.” and later co-starred in “Innerspace” (1987) and “The Presidio” (1988). They married in 1991 and had a son, Jack Quaid, in 1992 (People (entertainment magazine)).

What led to their divorce?

• The marriage ended in 2001 after Ryan’s reported affair with actor Russell Crowe during the filming of “Proof of Life” (2000). Quaid later said he was blindsided by the divorce (Reuters (news agency) – see above).

The pattern: The marriage and divorce set the stage for Quaid’s later personal and professional evolution.

Is Dennis Quaid a nice guy in real life?

What do co-stars say about him?

• Co-stars and crew members describe Quaid as professional, friendly, and down-to-earth. A former colleague from “The Rookie” called him “a class act and a joy to work with” (People (entertainment magazine) – see above).

How does he treat fans?

• Quaid has a reputation for being approachable, often stopping to sign autographs and take photos. He maintains an active social media presence where he interacts with fans (Oprah Daily (talk show blog)).

What this means: Quaid’s likability has been a consistent asset throughout his career.

What happened with Dennis Quaid’s twins?

What was the heparin overdose?

• On November 18, 2007, Quaid’s newborn twins, Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace, were given a massive overdose of heparin at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The infants received 10,000 units of heparin instead of the intended 10 units — a thousand‑fold error (Reuters (news agency) – see above).
• Two pharmacy technicians mistakenly delivered 100 vials of the wrong heparin concentration to the pediatric unit (Los Angeles Times (newspaper) – see above).

What was the legal outcome?

• Quaid and his wife at the time, Kimberly Buffington, filed a lawsuit against Baxter Healthcare, the manufacturer of the heparin vials. The case was settled out of court (ABC News (network news)).
• The Quaids later founded The Quaid Foundation to promote hospital safety and prevent medical errors (WebMD (health publisher) – see above).

The implication: The overdose incident remains a defining moment in Quaid’s advocacy work.

Why did Meg Ryan leave Dennis Quaid?

Did Russell Crowe cause the breakup?

• Ryan’s reported affair with Russell Crowe while filming “Proof of Life” (2000) is widely cited as the catalyst for the divorce. Quaid has said he was “shocked” by the end of the marriage (Reuters (news agency) – see above).

Was there infidelity?

• Multiple tabloid reports at the time claimed Ryan and Crowe had a romantic relationship during the film’s production. Neither party has publicly confirmed the details beyond the divorce filing (People (entertainment magazine) – see above).

The consequence: The fallout from the affair reshaped the trajectories of both actors.

Why did Russell Crowe dump Meg Ryan?

What was the reason for their split?

• After Ryan’s divorce, she and Crowe dated briefly. Crowe reportedly ended the relationship because he wanted a more private life, away from the intense media scrutiny (Oprah Daily (talk show blog) – see above).

How long did they date?

• The relationship lasted less than a year. No public animosity was reported, and both moved on to other partners (People (entertainment magazine) – see above).

The takeaway: The love triangle, though a side story, continues to color public perception.

For Dennis Quaid, the mix of Hollywood highs and personal lows has shaped a life that is both public and deeply private. The heparin overdose was a wake‑up call that turned him into an advocate, and his faith remains a constant anchor. For fans following his career, the takeaway is clear: Quaid is more than a movie star — he’s a survivor who used his platform to push for change, and he’s still writing the next chapter.

For a deeper look into his personal journey, including his health struggles and political views, see Dennis Quaids health and relationships.

Frequently asked questions

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