Ryan Reynolds recalls his ‘complicated’ relationship with his dad

Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds recently opened up about his complex relationship with his father, James Reynolds, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 74. The 47-year-old star, known for his roles in “Deadpool” and “Wolverine,” shared how his own journey into fatherhood has brought him a sense of closure and healing from the unresolved dynamics he had with his dad.

In a candid interview with PEOPLE, Ryan described his relationship with his father as “complicated,” a sentiment that he believes many men share when it comes to their fathers. “I think most men and boys have a slightly complicated relationship with their father,” Ryan admitted. “But I also think that the healing for me, or the closure around my dad, actually really comes more through my relationship with my own kids.”

Ryan’s father battled Parkinson’s disease for nearly two decades, a journey that certainly left an indelible mark on the family. Despite the challenges, the actor remembers James as a man of “incredible integrity,” noting that his father’s moral compass was something that left a strong impression. “He did not lie. He had this compulsion and moral and ethical compass that was, I think, very impressive,” Ryan said, acknowledging the complexity of his father’s character.

However, Reynolds didn’t shy away from discussing some of his father’s less admirable traits. Reflecting on James’s shortcomings, Ryan shared: “[It] always pushed him to do the right thing at the right time, even though he made a massive amount of mistakes, was not a great communicator, blew it, all kinds of stuff.” The actor acknowledged that while his father’s intent was often good, he struggled in many areas, much like any human being.

In many ways, Ryan’s reflections on fatherhood have allowed him to gain perspective on his father’s missteps. Now a father of four—James, nine, Inez, seven, Betty, four, and Olin, who was born in early 2023—with actress Blake Lively, Ryan feels the weight of responsibility in a new light. “But I blow it all the time and we all do,” he confessed. “It’s funny that our parents are meant to have this kind of infallibility. So I do feel like part of that process and journey for me is with my own kids … I get to fill in those little gaps that maybe hurt me with respect to my own father.”

Ryan’s openness about his personal experiences has resonated with many, especially those who understand the unique and sometimes difficult dynamics of father-son relationships. Through his own role as a father, Ryan Reynolds is finding ways to break the cycle, offering his children the love and understanding that perhaps eluded him in his relationship with his father. His story serves as a reminder that while no parent is perfect, there is always room for growth, healing, and redemption through the next generation.