by When most people think of Ryan Reynolds, a few things likely come to mind – his hilarious comedic roles, his charming good looks, and of course his seminal portrayal of the Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool. But there is much more beneath the surface with Reynolds than initially meets the eye. While he has certainly cemented himself as a comedic force in Hollywood, those close to him know there are many layers to his personality. Let’s take a deeper look at some of Ryan Reynolds’ lesser-known sides.
The Businessman
Beyond being an acclaimed actor, Reynolds has also proven himself to be a savvy businessman. He takes an active role in the brands he is involved with and understands the power of his wit and humor to help drive marketing campaigns. A prime example is Aviation American Gin, in which Reynolds acquired a stake in 2018. Under his partnership, the brand has seen tremendous growth, increasing sales by over 250% in the first year alone.
Reynolds fully embraces bringing his comedic flair to Aviation Gin’s advertising. In one commercial, he is seen taste testing various “flavored” gins like “cucumber basil” and “goat cheese.” His deadpan delivery had viewers in stitches. Reynolds has said being hands-on with the branding was important to him. “I wanted to be really involved in putting out ads and creating a personality for the brand,” he explained in an interview.
In 2021, Reynolds expanded his business portfolio by launching Mint Mobile, an affordable wireless phone service. Once again, he isn’t afraid to poke fun at himself in promotions. One Mint Mobile ad shows a disheveled, exhausted looking Reynolds struggling to keep up with customer service calls. His comedic chops and willingness to mock his public image have clearly helped establish Mint Mobile as a contender in the telecom space.
Through Aviation Gin and Mint Mobile, Reynolds has proven he has more than just leading man good looks – he possesses true business acumen and understands the value of using humor as a marketing tool. While he continues to take on major acting roles, Reynolds’ entrepreneurial spirit shows no signs of slowing down.
The Gamer
Surprisingly for a Hollywood A-lister, Reynolds is also a self-professed hardcore gamer. In interviews he has opened up about his passion for video games, mentioning titles like Call of Duty, Fortnite and Halo among his favorites. But gaming is more than just a hobby for Reynolds – he sees opportunities to incorporate his love for the medium into potential projects.
In 2019, Reynolds expressed interest in exploring a movie adaptation of the popular game Uncharted. While that project has yet to fully materialize, it showed Reynolds’ desire to blend his acting career with another one of his great interests. He even tweeted at Naughty Dog, the studio behind Uncharted, saying “I would give my left nut to play Nathan Drake.” Safe to say he felt very passionate about taking on the role!
Reynolds’ gaming fandom also influenced the Deadpool movies. He pushed for a humorous post-credits scene in Deadpool 2 that parodied Super Mario. And Deadpool himself is shown obsessively playing a Fortnite-esque game at one point. Clearly Reynolds wanted to sprinkle in Easter eggs that would appeal to fellow gamers among the audience.
When he’s not on a movie set, you might find Reynolds livestreaming himself playing games for his online followers too. He’s not afraid to look silly or get trash talked by other players. For Reynolds, gaming is just another avenue to unleash his comedic side – and a reminder that beneath the movie star exterior lies a kid who still loves immersing himself in virtual worlds.
The Romantic at Heart
While Reynolds has built a comedic brand centered around crude humor and self-deprecation, those close to him see there is also a very romantic soul underneath. A prime example is his relationship with wife Blake Lively, which has stood the test of time since they first met in 2010.
Despite Reynolds’ reputation as a joker, he is clearly very devoted to Lively. In interviews he gushes about her and calls her “the most talented, amazing, wonderful person.” The two also enjoy playfully trolling each other on social media, with Reynolds posting tongue-in-cheek birthday messages to Lively like “Happy 40th birthday. Well, 40th something.” Their lighthearted banter shows a softer, more sentimental side of Reynolds.
Reynolds and Lively also make a point to keep their family life out of the spotlight as much as possible to protect their three daughters. Reynolds recognizes the importance of separating his public and private personas. As he said, “Prioritizing family and my kids is so much more important than any job.”
Behind closed doors, Reynolds is fully embracing fatherhood and cherishing the quiet moments with his loved ones. While he unleashes his humorous side for millions, those closest to Reynolds see the deeply caring, romantic man he is when he’s not on camera. His enduring relationship with Lively is a testament to the fact that beneath the jokes lies a very nurturing soul.
The Philanthropist
When he’s not cracking jokes, Reynolds is also passionate about philanthropic causes. One issue especially close to his heart is Parkinson’s research, as both his father and grandmother battled the disease. Reynolds has become an advocate for various foundations dedicated to finding a cure.
In 2010, Reynolds made his first donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and has continued supporting their efforts ever since. He has also fundraised for other organizations like The American Parkinson Disease Association by auctioning off unique experiences with him. For example, Reynolds once offered a private screening of Deadpool 2 plus dinner, raising over $50,000.
Reynolds recognizes the platform he has been given as a celebrity and wants to use it to help those in need. Beyond Parkinson’s, he supports many other causes as well through donations and advocacy work. After the tragic 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Reynolds contributed $1000 to each of the 17 victims’ families.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Reynolds and Lively pledged $1 million to two organizations helping those impacted. And in 2021, he donated $5 million to founding the Reynolds Journalism Institute to support journalists facing growing challenges. For Reynolds, giving back privately is just as important as bringing laughs publicly.
The Almost-Superhero (But Not Quite)
While Deadpool is Reynolds’ most iconic superhero role to date, it turns out it wasn’t his first choice for a comic book character. In a past interview, Reynolds revealed he had auditioned years earlier for the part of Wally West, aka Kid Flash, in the failed Justice League movie project.
Kid Flash was a speedster like The Flash, possessing super speed abilities. Reynolds clearly saw himself as having the right energy and charisma for the role. His audition performance must have shown real promise, as he made it to the final casting stages before the Justice League film ultimately fell through.
Looking back, Reynolds jokes the role of Kid Flash “may have been a little too fast” for him at the time. But it’s clear he had aspirations of joining the DC Universe long before finding fame as the Merc with a Mouth. While Kid Flash never came to be, Reynolds got his superpowered due as Deadpool, a character whose fourth wall breaking antics were a perfect comedic match.
In the end, it seems the speedster role just wasn’t meant to be. But Reynolds’ audition shows he had superhero dreams long before achieving movie star status. Little did he know that years later, he’d become one of the most beloved comic book characters brought to life – just through a different studio and in R-rated fashion.
Final Thoughts
As this exploration of his lesser-known sides shows, Ryan Reynolds is far more than just a funny actor or an action star. Beneath the public persona lies a shrewd businessman, passionate gamer, loving family man, charitable advocate and almost-superhero. He understands the importance of separating his work life from private moments with loved ones.
While Reynolds unleashes his comedic wit for audiences worldwide, those closest to him see the multi-faceted individual he is outside of films. He seamlessly blends business with pleasure in projects like Aviation Gin, and isn’t afraid to show vulnerability through causes like Parkinson’s research.
Reynolds brings laughter and levity wherever he goes. But scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find an intensely passionate, surprising depth to this Canadian superstar. There is clearly much more meeting the eye with Ryan Reynolds – and that is part of what makes him so fascinating as both an actor and a person.
