Ryan Reynolds is no stranger to making people laugh, whether it's through his iconic role as Deadpool or his witty social media posts. But beneath the humor, there’s a side to Ryan that’s deeply reflective, especially when it comes to his family life. Over the years, the actor has occasionally shared glimpses into his upbringing, and one topic that stands out is his relationship with his father, James Reynolds, and the impact Parkinson’s disease had on their bond.
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A Peek Into Ryan’s Early Life and Career
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Ryan grew up in a working-class family. His father, James Reynolds, initially served as a police officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police before shifting to work as a foods wholesaler after retirement. His mother, Tamara Lee, worked in retail. From a young age, Ryan dipped his toes into acting, landing small television roles at just 13 years old. Although he briefly considered quitting to attend college, a nudge from friend and musician Chris Martin pushed him to move to Los Angeles and give acting another shot – a decision that clearly paid off.
The Battle with Parkinson’s: A Family Struggle
In 2015, Ryan revealed that his father had passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. The diagnosis came when Ryan was only 22, and it marked the beginning of a difficult journey for the Reynolds family. Reflecting on the experience, Ryan shared that his father rarely spoke about the illness. “He said the word ‘Parkinson’s’ maybe three times as far as I knew — and one of them wasn’t to me,” Ryan told People. The silence surrounding the disease created a lot of distance between them, making an already strained relationship even more difficult.
Ryan opened up about how his father’s condition caused hallucinations and delusions about a decade into his 20-year battle. This period was particularly challenging for the actor, who admitted that he often struggled to understand what was happening. “It really destabilized my relationship with him because I didn’t really know what was happening,” Ryan confessed.
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A Complicated Relationship
Ryan has never shied away from admitting that his relationship with his father was far from perfect. The two didn’t always see eye to eye, and Ryan often found himself feeling disconnected. But as time went on, the actor began to reflect on their bond differently. “It was very easy for me to dine off the idea that my father and I do not see eye to eye on anything and that an actual relationship with him is impossible,” Ryan said. “As I’m older now, I look back at it, and I think of it more as that was my unwillingness at the time to meet him where he was. I could have maybe been there with him toward the end, and I wasn’t. He and I just drifted apart, and that’s something I’ll live with forever.”
Despite the challenges, there were also moments of connection. In an interview with Men’s Health, Ryan recalled how he and his brothers gathered by their father’s side in his final moments, finding comfort in humor even then. “In my dad’s dying moments, we were making him laugh. We were all in there together, me and my brothers, just joking with him. And of course, we end up busting each other’s chops,” he shared.
Finding Healing Through Storytelling
Ryan’s reflections on his father have found their way into his work. While promoting The Adam Project, he mentioned a line in the movie that hits close to home: “Boys always come back for their mamas.” He explained that after his father’s passing, he and his brothers rallied around their mother, offering her the support she needed during such a difficult time. It’s clear that despite the tension and distance that once existed, family remains at the core of Ryan’s values.
The story of Ryan Reynolds and his father’s struggle with Parkinson’s is one of pain, growth, and ultimately, healing. While Ryan continues to bring joy and laughter to millions, it’s these candid glimpses into his personal life that show the depth of the man behind the humor.
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