Ryan Reynolds Reflects on Grief After Father's Parkinson's-Related Death

In 2015, actor Ryan Reynolds' father James passed away at the age of 74 after living with Parkinson's disease for nearly 20 years. Now 48 years old, Reynolds has recently opened up about the grief he experienced following his father's death, explaining that it "hits you at weird times."

Reynolds shared that he once had an episode during a television interview with Jimmy Fallon where he lost his train of thought, despite his father having died several years prior. He described the experience as grief hitting him "like a freight train." While most people may not have noticed the moment, Reynolds emphasized that grief can surface unexpectedly, even long after a loss.

In the years since his father's passing, Reynolds has learned that hallucinations and delusions are two lesser-known symptoms of Parkinson's disease, which his father had struggled with. This realization has led the Deadpool and Wolverine star to partner with the educational campaign "More to Parkinson's," which aims to provide resources and support for patients and caregivers.

Despite the complicated relationship Reynolds had with his father, he expressed gratitude for sending him a letter about five months before his death, reflecting on the positive moments they shared. Reynolds believes this helped provide a sense of closure, though he wishes he had been present when his father passed away.