Ryan Reynolds Then and Now

He was the class clown of Canadian TV. 🤪 Now he’s one of the biggest movie stars on the planet — and he’s about to turn 50. From a Vancouver sitcom to a billion-dollar Marvel hero, a Welsh football club, and a gin empire — this is the updated story of Ryan Reynolds.

Ryan Reynolds Then 🌱

Ryan Rodney Reynolds was born on October 23, 1976, in Vancouver, British Columbia. He was the youngest of four boys.

His father, James, was a food wholesaler and former policeman. His mother, Tammy, worked in retail sales. It was a loud, busy, working-class house.

Acting found him early. At 13, he was starring in the Canadian teen soap Hillside (known as Fifteen in the US). He briefly quit acting at 19 to work nights as a grocery clerk.

He came back fast. Small roles on The X-Files and The Outer Limits followed. Then he moved to Los Angeles with a friend and a dream.

His big break was comedy. As Berg on Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (1998–2001), his timing and charm jumped off the screen.

Then came Van Wilder (2002). The college comedy was a cult hit — and suddenly Ryan Reynolds was a movie star.

The Middle: Flops, Then Deadpool 👑

The 2000s were a rollercoaster. The Proposal (2009) with Sandra Bullock was a smash. But X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) wasted him as a silenced Deadpool.

Then came Green Lantern (2011). It flopped hard. R.I.P.D. (2013) flopped harder. Hollywood started whispering that he couldn’t carry a franchise.

But Reynolds had a secret weapon: the real Deadpool. He spent a decade pushing for a faithful version of the character — even leaking test footage himself in 2014.

Deadpool (2016) was the payoff. Made for just $58 million, it earned $783 million. Reynolds co-wrote it, lived it, and became it.

Deadpool 2 (2018) earned $785 million. Free Guy (2021) and Red Notice (2021) were streaming hits. He was box-office gold again.

Off-screen, he was building an empire. He bought Aviation Gin and sold it to Diageo in 2020. He bought Mint Mobile and sold it to T-Mobile in 2023 for about $1.35 billion.

Like Mark Wahlberg, Reynolds proved a funny leading man could become a serious businessman. Maximum Effort, his production company, became a marketing machine.

And then he bought a football club. In 2020, he and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham AFC — a struggling Welsh team in the fifth tier of English football. Everyone thought it was a joke.

Ryan Reynolds Now 📈

Today, Ryan Reynolds is 49 — and he’s having the biggest year of his life.

On October 23, 2026, he turns 50. But don’t expect a massive party. He told PEOPLE he’s not a fan of big birthday bashes.

“I get enough attention,” he said. “I was just on a red carpet. This is plenty.”

His family keeps him busy anyway. He calls this stretch “Birthday Alley” — daughter Inez turned 10 in September, Betty turns 7 in October, James turns 12 in December, and little Olin turns 4 in February.

His wife Blake Lively turned 39 in August. They celebrated 14 years of marriage on September 9. Four kids, two careers, one very full house. 🏠

Work hasn’t slowed down. His new film Mayday — an action-comedy with Kenneth Branagh where he plays a US Navy pilot — premiered September 1 and has been streaming on Apple TV since September 4.

And Wrexham? The joke purchase became a fairy tale. The club won three straight promotions — a first in English football history — reaching the Championship.

The 2025–26 season was tougher. Wrexham missed the playoffs on the final day. But the story continues: in April 2026, Welcome to Wrexham was renewed for three more seasons, running into 2029. 📺

Then there’s Deadpool & Wolverine. The July 2024 team-up with Hugh Jackman earned about $1.34 billion worldwide — one of the biggest films ever.

From a teen soap in Vancouver to a Marvel billionaire. From gin to mobile phones to a Welsh football club. From flop-era punchline to Hollywood’s funniest mogul.

Ryan Reynolds turns 50 this month. He says he doesn’t want the spotlight — but the spotlight isn’t going anywhere. 🎂

Quick Answers ❓

How old is Ryan Reynolds now?
He is 49. He was born on October 23, 1976, in Vancouver, Canada — and turns 50 on October 23, 2026.

What is Ryan Reynolds’ new movie?
Mayday, an Apple TV action-comedy co-starring Kenneth Branagh. It premiered September 1, 2026 and started streaming September 4. He plays a US Navy pilot.

How many kids does Ryan Reynolds have?
Four with wife Blake Lively: James (12 in December 2026), Inez (10), Betty (7), and Olin (turns 4 in February 2027).

Does Ryan Reynolds still own Wrexham?
Yes. He and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham AFC in 2020. The club earned three straight promotions to the Championship, and their docuseries Welcome to Wrexham was renewed through 2029.

How much did Deadpool & Wolverine make?
About $1.34 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of all time.