Ryan Reynolds recently opened up about the challenging journey he faced with his father, James, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1995. The actor, now 47, shared that as his father’s condition progressed, he began experiencing delusions, which deeply affected their relationship.
Reynolds recalled how his father, a man of few words and strong principles, started losing his grip on reality, leading to confusion and distrust within the family. “It destabilized our bond,” Reynolds admitted, reflecting on the difficulty of watching his father, once a steadfast figure, struggle to distinguish between fact and fiction.
Despite his father’s decline, Reynolds’ mother, Tammy, remained his primary caregiver, enduring years of isolation as she cared for her husband. The actor acknowledged the often-overlooked burden of caregiver fatigue, expressing regret that resources for mental health support were not more accessible during that time.
As he navigated his own complex emotions, Reynolds grappled with his role in their strained relationship, eventually finding some solace in a heartfelt letter he sent to his father five months before his passing in 2015. Though he wasn’t with his father at the end, Reynolds cherishes that final connection.
Now a father of four, Reynolds draws on his experiences to shape his parenting, striving to fill in the gaps his father left behind while honoring the integrity he admired in him.
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