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Ryan Rodney Reynolds (born October 23, 1976) is a Canadian actor, producer, and entrepreneur. Widely regarded as one of Hollywood's most versatile and witty stars, he has built a highly successful career across film and business, most notably for his iconic role as the anti-hero Deadpool.

Reynolds was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, the youngest of four brothers. His childhood was spent in a middle-class, Irish Catholic family. He began acting at the age of 13, and his first major role was in the Canadian teen soap opera Hillside (1991–1993), which was known as Fifteen in the U.S.

After a brief time at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, he dropped out at 19 to move to Los Angeles and pursue acting full-time. He initially struggled, taking on minor roles and working odd jobs to support himself. His career breakthrough came with the lead role in the sitcom Two Guys and a Girl (1998–2001), where he honed the comedic timing and improvisational skills that would become his trademark.

Reynolds made a name for himself as a charismatic leading man in comedies such as National Lampoon's Van Wilder (2002), Just Friends (2005), and The Proposal (2009). While he had some missteps, most notably with the superhero film Green Lantern (2011), his perseverance led to his most career-defining role.

He spent over a decade fighting to bring the character of Wade Wilson, a.k.a. Deadpool, to the big screen in a way that was faithful to the comic books. When a leaked test reel generated a massive online reaction, the R-rated film was finally greenlit.

Deadpool (2016) was a monumental success, both critically and commercially, and earned Reynolds a Golden Globe nomination. The film's self-aware humor and fourth-wall-breaking style resonated with audiences worldwide. He reprised the role in the equally successful Deadpool 2 (2018) and the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), officially integrating his character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Beyond his acting career, Reynolds has become an innovative and highly successful entrepreneur. He co-founded the production and marketing company Maximum Effort, which creates viral, self-aware ad campaigns. He leverages his public persona by acquiring ownership stakes in companies and actively promoting them.

• Aviation American Gin: In 2018, he became a co-owner and creative director. His humorous ads for the brand helped it skyrocket in value, leading to its sale for an estimated $610 million.
• Mint Mobile: He acquired an ownership stake in the low-cost wireless carrier in 2019. His witty ad campaigns were instrumental in the company's growth, which was acquired by T-Mobile in 2023 for approximately $1.35 billion.
• Wrexham A.F.C.: Along with actor Rob McElhenney, he purchased the Welsh football club in 2020. Their ownership and the Emmy-winning documentary series Welcome to Wrexham brought global attention to the club and helped them achieve a historic promotion in 2023.

Reynolds was previously married to actress Scarlett Johansson from 2008 to 2011. In 2012, he married actress Blake Lively. The couple has four children and are known for their playful public relationship.

A dedicated philanthropist, Reynolds ran the New York City Marathon to raise money for Parkinson's disease research in honor of his late father. He has also been made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his contributions to the arts and philanthropy.