Meg Ryan led a number of Hollywood stars who gathered to honour late filmmaker Nora Ephron

The 50-year-old actress – who worked alongside the director and screenwriter in 'When Harry Met Sally', 'Sleepless in Seattle' and 'You've Got Mail' – was joined by film legends at a memorial service to pay tribute to Nora, who died at the age of 71 from pneumonia brought on by acute myeloid leukemia on June 26.

12 July 2012
Director Steven Spielberg, 'Mad Men' star John Hamm, singer Bette Midler, actor Matthew Broderick and comedians Steve Martin and Larry David also attended the service at Alice Tully Hall in New York, which they entered to the sound of Frank Sinatra's 'I've Got the World on a String'.

Other attendees included Meryl Streep – who played Nora in the 1986 movie 'Heartburn', based on the screenwriter's novel of the same name – who delivered a touching tribute to the director at the ceremony, saying: "She pulled a fast one on us. I feel so privileged to speak, but I’m also p***ed off.”

Nora – who was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Writing for 'Sleepless in Seattle', 'When Harry Met Sally' and 'Silkwood' – designed her own memorial service prior to her passing, choosing the playlist, speakers and she also dec lared the ceremony should be "finished in under 47 minutes".

Billy Crystal – who starred alongside Meg in 'When Harry Met Sally', which saw Nora win a BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay – had previously led the tributes to the multi-talented movie legend.

He said: "I am very sad to learn of Nora's passing. She was a brilliant writer and humourist.

"Being her Harry to Meg's Sally will always have a special place in my heart. I was very lucky to get to say her words."

© 2013 Bang Showbiz, NZCity