Ryan Reynolds is opening up about the “complicated relationship” he had with his father, James Reynolds, before and after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The diagnosis made their relationship more difficult, leading the actor to feel anger and a sense of being robbed of the opportunity to find common ground with his father. Ryan Reynolds shared that his father struggled not just with the physical symptoms of Parkinson’s but also with hallucinations and delusions that were challenging for the family to navigate. Through a new campaign called More To Parkinson’s, Ryan Reynolds aims to raise awareness about these lesser-known aspects of the disease while reflecting on his relationship with his father.
Even before the Parkinson’s diagnosis, Ryan Reynolds and his father did not have a strong emotional connection. Despite his father being present at his football games, Ryan Reynolds described him as a man who did not share his feelings. He admitted that he never had a proper conversation with his father and felt that they lacked a full spectrum of emotional connection. The actor revealed that he felt a sense of anger towards his father’s illness and regret over the missed opportunity to bridge their complicated relationship.
Following his father’s death in 2015, Ryan Reynolds has reflected on their relationship and his own shortcomings. He acknowledged that he could have been more present for his father towards the end and expressed regret for not being with him when he passed away. Despite their challenges, Ryan Reynolds cherishes the moments of connection they shared, such as playing catch after baseball practice. He sent his father a letter listing all the ways he had shown up for him, which he believes meant the world to James Reynolds. Ryan Reynolds hopes to learn from their relationship and be a better parent to his own children by being more communicative and understanding of their emotions.
As Ryan Reynolds has grown older and become a parent himself, he aims to apply the lessons from his father’s influence to his own children. He emphasized the importance of not painting pictures of people in black and white and recognizing their nuances, including his father. Ryan Reynolds wishes he had known his father better and been more communicative with him. Despite his father’s tendency to go silent, Ryan Reynolds aims to be a better parent and communicate openly with his children. He believes that his father’s influence has made him a better parent than he ever would have imagined.
Since 2008, Ryan Reynolds has been a public advocate for Parkinson’s disease, getting involved with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and joining the board of directors. Through the More to Parkinson’s campaign, he hopes to raise awareness about the symptoms beyond just motor issues that his father experienced, such as hallucinations and delusions. Ryan Reynolds encourages families affected by Parkinson’s to talk openly and early about these lesser-known aspects of the disease to better prepare and manage them. By sharing his own experiences and advocating for awareness, Ryan Reynolds honors his father’s legacy and aims to make a difference in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.
