Ryan Reynolds
Birthdate: Oct 23, 1976
Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Ryan Reynolds (birthname: Ryan Rodney Reynolds) has emerged as one of the biggest and most reliable box office stars, in an era when the force of star power has been greatly diminished. Virtually the only actor who has played leads in both Marvel Comics Universe and DC Comics movie franchises, Reynolds achieved global star status in 2016 as the title character (and his human counterpart, Wade Wilson) in the Deadpool series, the first superhero franchise released with an R rating.
Both the first and the follow-up, Deadpool 2 (2018), broke earnings records for an R-rated feature, for a combined worldwide cume of $1.5 billion. Unlike several other Marvel and DC stars unable to transfer their box office impact to non-superhero projects, Reynolds scored great success with Free Guy (2021), which earned over $330 million worldwide, followed by The Adam Project, one of Netflix’s hit feature releases in 2022.
This indicates that Reynolds can sustain durable star status in an extremely volatile and unpredictable environment for lead actors. Part of Reynolds’s strategy is—despite Deadpool’s distinctly adult profile—to work alongside child actors in family-friendly vehicles. These include his vocal appearances in the animated features The Croods (2013), The Croods 2: A New Age (2020), Turbo (2013), and Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019), and continue with The Adam Project, Spirited (2022, a remake of A Christmas Carol in which Reynolds plays Ebeneezer Scrooge), and the kid-friendly action film Everyday Parenting Tips (planned for 2023).
Reynolds’s career began with little promise or indication of his future stardom. His lead role in the Canadian teen soap opera Hillside (1991-1993) led to only minor roles, though he did gain some fame in National Lampoon’s Van Wilder (2002), which has cult status in Europe. His first significant dramatic role was as a man buried alive in Buried (2010), but an early sign of his future superhero identity emerged in both Blade: Trinity (2004) and Green Lantern (2011).
Ryan Reynolds first appeared as Wade Wilson’s character (whose alter-ego was named Weapon XI), not in Deadpool itself, but in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), his first project in the superhero comic business dominated by MCU and DC Comics. His interest in Deadpool predated even this, as he discussed developing the character into a feature as early as 2005 with screenwriter David S. Goyer.
But his first foray into a lead superhero role, in The Green Lantern (2011), proved a commercial failure. 2016 was his breakthrough year, with Deadpool, and he wasted no time diversifying his business profile to an unusual degree for a movie star. In 2018, he launched his production company, Maximum Effort, plus ownership holding in Aviation American Gin, which was sold in 2020 to British alcohol and beverage firm Diageo. He also bought a 25% ownership stake in mobile company Mint Mobile in 2019, followed by the purchase (with actor Rob McElhenney) of Welsh football club Wrexham AFC.
Reynolds re-teamed with his Deadpool director, Shawn Levy, for the hit Netflix release, The Adam Project (2022) and then co-starred with writer-director John Krasinski in Krasinki’s comic fantasy, IF (2024) Reynolds added screenwriting to his skill set as co-writer as well as star of the third entry in the Deadpool franchise Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), co-starring Hugh Jackman and directed by Levy.
Ryan Reynolds was star-producer of the Peter Atencio-directed live-action/animated movie, Animal Friends (2025), co-starring Jason Momoa, Vince Vaughn, Aubrey Plaza, Lil Rel Howery, Joaquim de Almeida, and Maya Rudolph, produced by Columbia Pictures/Legendary Pictures/Maximum Effort and released by Sony Pictures. Reynolds once again took the lead and also served as a producer on the action-adventure, Mayday (date to be announced), with Kenneth Branagh and Maria Bakalova, produced by Apple Original Films/Skydance/Maximum Effort and released by Apple TV+.
Reynolds co-starred with Jason Bateman and also was a producer on the James Bobin-directed mystery based on the Hasbro board game, Clue (date to be announced), for 20th Century Studios, and then Reynolds played the lead voice role and was a producer on animators Don Bluth’s and Gary Goldman’s feature, Dragon’s Lair: The Movie (date to be announced).
Ryan Reynolds was the star producer of producers, writers, and directors of Aaron and Adam Nee’s crime comedy, Calamity Hustle (date to be announced), co-starring Channing Tatum (also producing). At the same time, Reynolds starred, produced, and co-wrote (with Jesse Andrews) the musical comedy directed by Shawn Levy, Boy Band (date to be announced). Reynolds was again a star producer on the special effects-driven comedy for producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Everyday Parenting Tips (date to be announced), directed by Paul King and written by Simon Rich adapting his own New Yorker short story.
Personal Details
Ryan Reynolds, whose heritage is mainly Irish-Scottish, was born to Vancouver, B.C.-based parents working in the food and retail businesses. He comes from a high-achieving family, including a paternal grandfather who was a prominent politician in Alberta a paternal grandmother who was a respected doctor, and two brothers who are in law enforcement.
Reynolds was engaged to singer Alanis Morissette from 2004 to 2006 before their mutual split. He married Scarlett Johansson in 2008 and divorced her in 2011. In 2012, Reynolds married Blake Lively, with whom he has three children. His height is 6’ 2”. His net worth as of 2022 is $150 million.
Known For
Awards
Hollywood Walk of Fame, 2016; Producers Guild Award for Best Picture, 2017; 14-time nominee, People’s Choice Awards; Best Actor nominee, Golden Globes, 2017.
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Critics Choice Award
Critics Choice Awards
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Filmography
actor
Upcoming (1)
- 1970 |
Previous (58)
- 2024 | Deadpool & WolverineasWade Wilson
Deadpool & Wolverine
Deadpool is offered a place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by the Time Variance Authority, but instead recruits a variant of Wolverine to save his universe from extinction.
- 2024 | I Am: Celine DionasSelf - Deadpool
I Am: Celine Dion
A raw and honest behind-the-scenes look at the iconic superstar's struggle with Stiff Person Syndrome, a life-altering illness.
- 2024 |
- 2022 | Curb Your Carbon
- 2022 | Spiritedas Clint Briggs
- 2022 | The Adam Projectas Big Adam
- 2021 |
- 2021 |
- 2021 | Hitman’s Wife’s BodyguardasMichael Bryce
Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
The bodyguard, Michael Bryce, continues his friendship with assassin, Darius Kincaid, as they try to save Darius' wife Sonia.
- 2020 | The Croods: A New AgeasGuy
The Croods: A New Age
The prehistoric family the Croods are challenged by a rival family the Bettermans, who claim to be better and more evolved.
- 2019 | 6 Undergroundas One
- 2019 | Pokémon: Detective Pikachuas Detective Pikachu
- 2018 | Once Upon a DeadpoolasWade Wilson
Once Upon a Deadpool
Foul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson (a.k.a. Deadpool) assembles a team of fellow mutant rogues to protect a young boy with supernatural abilities from the brutal, time-traveling cyborg Cable.
- 2017 | The Hitman’s BodyguardasMichael Bryce
The Hitman’s Bodyguard
Michael Bryce, a protection agent, is tasked with protecting Darius Kincaid, one of the world's most famous assassins
- 2017 |
- 2016 | Huntwatchas Narrator
- 2016 |
- 2016 |
- 2015 | Mississippi Grindas Curtis
- 2015 |
- 2015 | Woman in GoldasRandy Schoenberg
Woman in Gold
Maria Altmann, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the Austrian government to recover artwork she believes rightfully belongs to her family.
- 2014 | The Voicesas Bosco (voice)
- 2014 | The Voicesas Jerry
- 2014 | The Voicesas Mr. Whiskers (voice)
- 2014 | The Captiveas Matthew Lane
- 2013 |
- 2013 |
- 2013 | The CroodsasGuy
The Croods
After their cave is destroyed, a caveman family must trek through an unfamiliar fantastical world with the help of an inventive boy.
- 2012 | Safe HouseasMatt Weston
Safe House
A young CIA agent is tasked with looking after a fugitive in a safe house. But when the safe house is attacked, he finds himself on the run with his charge.
- 2011 | The Change-Upas Mitch Planko
- 2011 | Green Lanternas Green Lantern
- 2011 | Green Lanternas Hal Jordan
- 2010 | Buriedas Paul Conroy
- 2009 | Paper Manas Captain Excellent
- 2009 | The ProposalasAndrew Paxton
The Proposal
When New York editor Margaret faces deportation, she convinces her assistant Andrew to marry her in return for a promotion. However, when she visits his hometown, it changes her in many ways.
- 2009 | X-Men Origins: Wolverineas Wade Wilson
- 2009 | Adventurelandas Mike Connell
- 2008 | Fireflies in the Gardenas Michael Taylor
- 2007 | Chaos Theoryas Frank Allen
- 2008 | Definitely, Maybeas Will Hayes
- 2007 | The Ninesas Gabriel
- 2007 | The Ninesas Gary
- 2007 | The Ninesas Gavin Taylor
- 2006 | Smokin' Acesas Richard Messner
- 2005 | Just Friendsas Chris Brander
- 2005 | Waiting...as Monty
- 2005 | The Amityville Horroras George Lutz
- 2004 | Blade: Trinityas Hannibal King
- 2003 | Foolproofas Kevin
- 2003 | The In-Lawsas Mark Tobias
- 2002 | Buying the Cowas Mike Hanson
- 2002 | Van Wilderas Van Wilder
- 2001 | Finder's Feeas Quigley
- 2000 | Boltneckas Karl O'Reilly
- 2000 | We All Fall Downas Red Shoes
- 1997 | The Alarmistas Howard Ancona
- 1993 | Ordinary Magicas Ganesh
- 1993 | Ordinary Magicas Jeffrey
Some Facts About Ryan Reynolds
Early fail: Reynolds received an F in his high school drama class.
Hazard Duty: One of his first acting jobs involved working in Sri Lanka without parental supervision during a civil war.
Near miss: After a period of acting failures and mediocre projects, Reynolds considered quitting acting.
All business: Reynolds is the owner of wireless phone company Mint Mobile and the co-owner of beverage producer Aviation Gin.
O No Canada!: Despite the fact that he is Canadian by birth, Reynolds doesn’t like hockey but is a big soccer fan.
You Probably Think This Song Is About You: Reynolds is the subject of Morissette’s song, “Torch.”
Deadpool roots: The comic book figure of Deadpool describes himself as Ryan Reynolds with a Shar-Pei, although in the comic itself, Reynolds’s last name was misspelled as “Renolds.”
Sexy couple: Reynolds was married to Scarlett Johansson when he was named “Sexiest Man Alive” by People Magazine and she was named “Babe of the Year” by GQ Magazine.
Hit-and-Run: He was the victim of a hit-and-run incident committed by a paparazzo driving a car.
Mr Superhero: Reynolds claims the unique credit of acting leads in both Marvel Comics Universe and DC Comics movies.
High Praise: Reynolds received a tribute written by Helen Mirren for his entry in Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” of 2017.
Captain America: Reynolds became a U.S. citizen in 2018.
Giving Back: He received a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in November 2021 for his philanthropic work.
