Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Rodney Reynolds was born on the 23rd of October 1976 in Vancouver, British Columbia. His father James Chester Reynolds worked as a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman before becoming a foods wholesaler. His mother Tamara Lee Stewart sold retail goods to customers daily. Reynolds grew up with three older brothers who often got physical with him. He described himself not as a younger brother but as a moving target unable to retaliate against them. His brothers protected him from their father whom he had a complex relationship with. The family lived in Vancouver's Kitsilano neighbourhood and later Vanier Ontario. His paternal grandfather Chester represented Stettler in Alberta's Legislative Assembly from 1940 to 1944. Reynolds attended acting classes as a teenager but failed them repeatedly. He briefly held a day job as a busboy at a local restaurant while working night shifts at a grocery store. He called his co-workers the funniest people on Earth and used their mannerisms for impressions.
Reynolds began his career in 1991 playing Billy Simpson in the teen soap opera Hillside distributed by Nickelodeon under the title Fifteen. He portrayed a character who turned to bullying to cope with family issues and romantic rejections. His feature film debut came in 1993 as Jeffrey in Ordinary Magic an orphan raised in India inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. The film received mixed reviews with Paul Lenti of Variety calling its characterizations facile and plot predictable. Between 1993 and 1994 he played dual roles Macro and Lee in The Odyssey a children's half-hour television series. In 1995 he appeared in If These Walls Could Talk an episode of The Outer Limits. He made cameo appearances in The X-Files and The John Larroquette Show during 1996. That year he co-starred with Melissa Joan Hart in Sabrina the Teenage Witch playing Seth the love interest. He portrayed Bobby Rupp in the miniseries In Cold Blood based on Truman Capote's novel. Reynolds returned to films with The Alarmist in 1997 portraying Howard the teenage son of Gale. He appeared twice more in The Outer Limits playing Paul Nodel in episodes from 1997 and 1998.
His breakthrough role arrived as medical student Michael Bergen in Two Guys and a Girl running from 1998 to 2001. Variety noted his talent and charisma were apparent while his star quality was already in place. He took minor roles in Coming Soon and Dick both released in 1999. Reynolds starred as Karl in Boltneck a horror comedy where a bullied teenager is killed and revived by Frank Stein. He played Quigley in Finder's Fee a drama thriller released in 2001. The romantic comedy National Lampoon's Van Wilder achieved box office success despite critical panning. He portrayed Mark Tobias in The In-Laws an action comedy that failed commercially. Reynolds made a cameo appearance as a nurse in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle described by Entertainment Weekly as memorable. He voiced Ty Cheese in Zeroman his first voice acting debut in 2004. Reynolds gained muscle mass training six days a week on a 3,200-calorie diet for Blade: Trinity. The film grossed $132 million but received negative reviews from critics. He starred in The Amityville Horror playing George Lutz moving into a haunted house with his family.
Reynolds played Monty a charismatic waiter in Waiting released in 2005. He wore a fat suit and makeup to portray Chris Brander in Just Friends trying to escape the friend zone during a Christmas visit. He appeared as FBI agent Richard Messner in Smokin' Aces alongside Ray Liotta. Reynolds played three distinct characters Gary Gavin and Gabriel in The Nines exploring themes of reality and identity. He portrayed Frank Allen in Chaos Theory whose marital crisis prompted a shift toward spontaneity. Critics acknowledged his performance even though the film itself received poor reception. The Seattle Times commented he had blandly dazzling talent lost in a muddled movie. He starred as Will Hayes in Definitely Maybe questioning how he and his daughter's mother met. Reynolds played Mike Connell in Adventureland having an affair with Em while working as a technician. He voiced Guy in The Croods and Turbo the garden snail dreaming of becoming a champion. Reynolds played Paul Conroy buried alive in Buried garnering significant commendation from critics. He portrayed Mitch Planko in The Change-Up receiving praise from Rolling Stone despite negative reviews.
Reynolds found success with Deadpool released in 2016 after development began as early as 2000. He chose not to get paid for the film to ensure its release using small earnings to keep co-writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick on set. The film grossed $782 million making it the ninth-highest-grossing film of 2016. Michael O'Sullivan of The Washington Post praised Reynolds for making Deadpool likeable and action scenes effective. IGN's Daniel Krupa called his performance charismatic exuberant and larger-than-life. Filming for a sequel started in June 2017 leading to Deadpool 2 released in 2018. The second film became a commercial success grossing $715 million and ranking ninth highest for that year. Reynolds voiced Pikachu in Detective Pikachu receiving positive reviews from Steve Rose of The Guardian. He starred in 6 Underground as leader of six people fighting an evil dictator. Free Guy portrayed a non-playable character realizing he lived in a video game. The Adam Project featured Adam Reed a time pilot risking life to uncover truth about his wife's disappearance. Deadpool & Wolverine achieved both critical and commercial success grossing $1.338 billion worldwide.
Reynolds launched Maximum Effort production company in January 2018 signing a three-year first-look deal with Fox. His marketing division spun off into MNTN Software acquired on the 23rd of June 2021. He created advertisements for brands like Peloton and R.M. Williams using the company. In February 2018 Reynolds acquired a stake in Aviation American Gin overseeing creative direction. He purchased ownership in Mint Mobile holding between 20% and 25% by November 2019. David Glickman founder of Mint served on the board of directors for the Michael J. Fox Foundation alongside Reynolds. Reynolds joined Match Group's board in 2020 selling Aviation American Gin to Diageo in a deal valued at up to $610 million. Wrexham Supporters Trust announced partnership talks in September 2020 confirming takeover in November 2020. Financial Conduct Authority approved the purchase in February 2021. The couple embraced Welsh culture promoting its language in media projects receiving the Diolch Y Ddraig award from S4C. Reynolds asked that Welsh subtitles be included with Red Notice advertised within Wrexham.
Reynolds joined celebrities reading James and the Giant Peach in May 2020 supporting Partners In Health combating COVID-19. He offered $5,000 for return of stolen teddy bear containing recording of deceased mother saying I love you. The Build-A-Bear was recovered within days by two individuals. Reynolds supported same-sex marriage advocating increased LGBTQ+ representation in film. He joined the Michael J. Fox Foundation helping find cure for father's Parkinson's disease. Reynolds ran New York City Marathon for Team Fox in 2008 joining foundation board in 2009. He and Lively donated $500,000 to Water First providing clean water access to Indigenous communities in March 2022. The couple received Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television's Humanitarian Award at 11th Canadian Screen Awards in October 2022. They later donated $1 million to Feeding America aiding relief efforts in Florida affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton. Following Russian invasion of Ukraine they pledged matching donations up to $1 million for refugees. Lively and Reynolds joined Hollywood couples donating $1 million to SAG-AFTRA Foundation financial assistance program in August 2023.
Reynolds dated singer Alanis Morissette beginning in 2002 after meeting at Drew Barrymore's birthday party. They announced engagement in 2004 but representatives confirmed mutual decision to call it off in February 2007. Morissette revealed Flavors of Entanglement album inspired by heartbreak with song Torch written about Reynolds. He began dating Scarlett Johansson in April 2007 announcing engagement May 2008 marrying September that year in Vancouver Island. They filed for divorce the 23rd of December 2010 finalizing July 2011. Reynolds met Blake Lively filming Green Lantern in July 2010 dating starting October 2011. They married the 9th of September 2012 at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant South Carolina. The couple later renewed vows at home in New York having four children three daughters and a son. Family lives in Pound Ridge New York. Reynolds publicly apologized choosing venue with ties to slavery following civil rights protests in 2020. His father James died in 2015 after twenty-year battle with Parkinson's disease. Reynolds attained American citizenship around 2018 voting first time in 2020 presidential election.
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Common questions
When and where was Ryan Reynolds born?
Ryan Rodney Reynolds was born on the 23rd of October 1976 in Vancouver, British Columbia. He grew up in the Kitsilano neighbourhood before his family moved to Vanier Ontario.
What were Ryan Reynolds early career roles before his breakthrough?
Ryan Reynolds began his career in 1991 playing Billy Simpson in the teen soap opera Hillside distributed by Nickelodeon under the title Fifteen. His feature film debut came in 1993 as Jeffrey in Ordinary Magic an orphan raised in India inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.
How did Ryan Reynolds achieve success with Deadpool?
Reynolds found success with Deadpool released in 2016 after development began as early as 2000. He chose not to get paid for the film to ensure its release using small earnings to keep co-writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick on set.
Which companies has Ryan Reynolds acquired or invested in?
In February 2018 Reynolds acquired a stake in Aviation American Gin overseeing creative direction. He purchased ownership in Mint Mobile holding between 20% and 25% by November 2019.
Who is Ryan Reynolds married to now and when did they wed?
Ryan Reynolds met Blake Lively filming Green Lantern in July 2010 dating starting October 2011. They married the 9th of September 2012 at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant South Carolina.