RYAN REYNOLDS

Ryan Reynolds: From Humble Beginnings to Hollywood Icon

Early Life and Background

Ryan Rodney Reynolds was born on October 23, 1976, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Raised in the Kitsilano neighborhood, he was the youngest of four brothers in a working-class family. His father, James Chester Reynolds, served as a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman before transitioning to work as a food wholesaler, while his mother, Tamara Lee (née Stewart), worked in retail sales. Reynolds attended Prince of Wales Secondary School for grades nine and ten before transferring to Kitsilano Secondary School, where he graduated in 1994. During his teenage years, he briefly enrolled at Kwantlen Polytechnic University but left to pursue acting full-time .

Career Beginnings

Reynolds' acting career began at the age of 13 when he landed his first professional role on the Canadian teen soap opera Hillside, which was later renamed Fifteen for its U.S. broadcast on Nickelodeon. Following this, he appeared in several television series and films, including The Odyssey (1993–94) and The X-Files (1996). His breakout role came in 1998 with the sitcom Two Guys and a Girl, where he showcased his comedic timing and charm .

Rise to Fame

In 2002, Reynolds starred in National Lampoon's Van Wilder, a comedy that became a cult classic and significantly raised his profile in Hollywood. He continued to build his career with roles in films such as Blade: Trinity (2004), Definitely, Maybe (2008), and The Proposal (2009), the latter of which was a major box office success. However, it was his portrayal of the wisecracking antihero in Deadpool (2016) that catapulted him to international stardom. The film was a massive commercial success, grossing over $782 million worldwide, and Reynolds' performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination .

Recent Projects and Ventures

Reynolds has continued to expand his filmography with roles in Deadpool 2 (2018), Free Guy (2021), and The Adam Project (2022). He also starred in Red Notice (2021), a Netflix action-comedy film that became one of the platform's most-watched movies. Beyond acting, Reynolds has ventured into business, acquiring a stake in Aviation American Gin in 2018, which he sold to Diageo for up to $610 million in 2020. He also purchased a majority stake in the mobile service provider Mint Mobile in 2019, which was sold to T-Mobile for $1.35 billion in 2023 .

Personal Life

Reynolds married actress Scarlett Johansson in 2008, but the couple divorced in 2011. In 2012, he married actress Blake Lively, and the couple has four children together. Reynolds is known for his philanthropic efforts, including his involvement with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, inspired by his father's battle with the disease .

Legacy and Recognition

Throughout his career, Reynolds has received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe nomination for his role in Deadpool, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017, and inclusion in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2017 . His blend of comedic talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to philanthropy has solidified his status as one of Hollywood's most beloved and multifaceted stars.

Ryan Reynolds' journey from a young actor in Vancouver to a global entertainment icon and successful businessman is a testament to his talent, perseverance, and ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry.