How Old is Ryan Reynolds?

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Ryan Reynolds has come a long way since first bursting onto the Hollywood scene as a teen heartthrob in the 90s soap opera Hillside and comedy film National Lampoon’s Van Wilder. Now one of the highest paid actors in the business, Reynolds has proven his versatility across action, comedy, drama, and superhero roles while building an empire founded on his quick wit and box office bankability.

But just how old is Ryan Reynolds now after decades in the spotlight? Read on for a complete look at Ryan Reynolds’ age and birthday over the years along with the key milestones and movies that define his evolution from a fresh faced Canadian newcomer to A-list superstar.

A Quick Look at Ryan Reynolds’ Current Age

As of August 2022, Ryan Reynolds is 45 years old. His date of birth is October 23, 1976. This means the Deadpool star will turn 46 later in 2022.

Reynolds was born in 1976 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He got his start on screen at age 13 in the Canadian teen drama Hillside (later renamed to Fifteen) before relocating to Hollywood in the late 90s. Now entering his mid-40s, Reynolds has hit his stride as one of the most in-demand leading men in the industry.

The Early Years – From Teen Actor to Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place

Ryan Reynolds’ acting career first began back in 1991 when he landed a starring role on the Nickelodeon series Hillside (also known as Fifteen outside Canada) at just 15 years old. The show centred on the drama-filled lives of teenagers and turned the young Reynolds into a teen heartthrob.

After wrapping up Hillside in 1993, Reynolds made his film debut in the comedy Ordinary Magic and had a supporting part in My Name is Kate. But it was in 1996 when he moved to Hollywood at age 20 that Reynolds’ feature film career started to gain traction.

Some of his early roles included:

  • Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996)
  • In Cold Blood (1996) miniseries
  • The Outer Limits (1996)
  • The X-Files (1996)

His breakthrough came in 1998 when he was cast as medical student Michael “Berg” Bergen in the NBC sitcom Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (later renamed Two Guys and a Girl). The hit show ran for 4 seasons and helped establish Reynolds as a comedic talent.

Transition to Leading Man – Van Wilder, The In-Laws, Blade: Trinity

In 2002, Ryan Reynolds cemented his status as a movie star with his first title role in National Lampoon’s Van Wilder. He portrayed the wisecracking, party-loving college senior Van Wilder and the raunchy comedy was a commercial success.

Following this, Reynolds starred alongside Tara Reid and Richard Burgi in the romantic comedy The In-Laws (2003) and the heist film Foolproof (2003) with Kristin Booth and Joris Jarsky.

Then in 2004, the 28-year-old actor landed his first major superhero part as Hannibal King in Blade: Trinity opposite Wesley Snipes as the title character. This kicked off Reynolds’ involvement in the superhero genre that would later define his career.

Other notable credits around this time include:

  • Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
  • The Amityville Horror (2005)
  • Just Friends (2005)
  • Smokin’ Aces (2006)
  • The Nines (2007)

The Late 2000s – Leading Man Status in Comedy and Drama

By the late 2000s, Reynolds was consistently leading major Hollywood films. He showed his range across various genres – most notably comedy, action and drama.

Some major movies he headlined during this period include:

  • Definitely, Maybe (2008) – Reynolds’ first romantic comedy lead as a political consultant telling the story of his past relationships to his young daughter.
  • The Proposal (2009) – One of Reynolds’ biggest commercial hits co-starring Sandra Bullock.
  • X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) – Reprised his role as Deadpool from X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
  • Paper Man (2009) – Indie drama with Reynolds as a stalled novelist.
  • Buried (2010) – Thriller that saw Reynolds carry the film solo as a civilian contractor buried alive in Iraq.
  • Green Lantern (2011) – Reynolds played the title superhero in the DC comics adaptation.

In these years, Reynolds honed his skills at combining quick-witted comedy and action with heartfelt drama – talents that he consistently leverages across popular films today.

The 2010s – Deadpool, Hitman’s Bodyguard, Detective Pikachu

Entering the 2010s, Ryan Reynolds was an established leading man skilled at blending comedy, drama and action. But it was 2016’s Deadpool that propelled the 39-year-old actor to new heights of superstardom.

After a poorly received take on the “Merc with a Mouth” in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Reynolds spent years campaigning for the R-rated spin-off that finally saw the light of day in 2016. His passion project paid off in spades as Deadpool shattered box office records for an R-rated film, grossing $783 million worldwide.

Thanks to the success of the franchise, Reynolds has continued headlining major action comedies including:

  • The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017) and The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (2021)
  • 6 Underground (2019) directed by Michael Bay
  • Free Guy (2021)

He also expanded his repertoire with roles like detective Pikachu in the live action Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019).

2020s and Beyond – Red Notice, The Adam Project, Deadpool 3

Now solidly in his 40s, Ryan Reynolds shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, his star is shining brighter than ever with major blockbuster roles secured well into the future.

Recent and upcoming projects for the 45-year old star include:

  • Red Notice (2021) – Big budget action flick co-starring Dwayne Johnson and Gal Gadot that became one of Netflix’s most watched films.
  • The Adam Project (2022) – Sci-fi drama on Netflix with Reynolds as a time-travelling pilot.
  • Spirited (2022) – A modern musical reimagining of A Christmas Carol co-starring Will Ferrell.
  • Deadpool 3 (2024) – Reynolds will return for the eagerly anticipated threequel.

Ryan Reynolds’ career is a testament to consistently leveraging his comedic talents and box office appeal to bridge action and drama roles across film and television. As he continues growing his production company, Maximum Effort, and branching out into new genres, Reynolds is bound to remain a Hollywood headliner for years to come.

Quick Highlights of Ryan Reynolds’ Age Over the Years

  • 15 years old – Got his start on the TV series Hillside (1991)
  • 20 years old – Relocated to Hollywood and broke into films (1996)
  • 28 years old – Played Hannibal King in Blade: Trinity (2004)
  • 32 years old – Leading man status cemented with films like Definitely Maybe (2008)
  • 35 years old – Major commercial peak with The Proposal (2009)
  • 39 years old – Deadpool propels Reynolds to new heights of fame (2016)
  • 45 years old – Ranked as one of the highest paid actors in the industry (2022)

Ryan Reynolds: From Sitcom Charm to Action Hero Bankability

Ryan Reynolds has come a remarkably long way from his early roles as a teen heartthrob and sitcom actor. Through his quick wit, undeniable charisma, and versatility across genres, he has earned his place on the A-list as one of Hollywood’s most sought after – and highest paid – actors.

Now in his mid-40s, Reynolds has successfully reinvented himself from a comedic newcomer to an action hero supernova thanks in large part to passion projects like Deadpool. He has consistently leveraged box office success across comedy and action blockbusters to land top billing in major studio tentpoles.

As Reynolds expands his creative pursuits into producing, marketing, and business, his empire and Hollywood status continues to grow. And with proven wide appeal from tweens to adults, a family man image, and his highly bankable stardom across franchises, Reynolds is sure to remain a force in the industry for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ryan Reynolds’ Age

How old is Ryan Reynolds right now in 2022?

As of August 2022, Ryan Reynolds is 45 years old. His date of birth is October 23, 1976.

What major movies has Ryan Reynolds led as a 40-something action star?

Some of Reynolds’ biggest Hollywood leading roles in his 40s include Deadpool (2016), The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017), 6 Underground (2019), Free Guy (2021), Red Notice (2021), and The Adam Project (2022).

How has Ryan Reynolds transitioned from comedy to action movies as he’s aged?

Early in his career, Reynolds became known for sitcoms and comedy films like Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place and Van Wilder. As he entered his 30s and 40s, Reynolds leveraged his quick wit and charm to lead major action comedies like Deadpool, Free Guy and Red Notice that combine humor with special effects spectacle.

How much longer can we expect Ryan Reynolds to take on action hero roles?

At 45 years old, Reynolds is still at an age where he can believably headline major action blockbusters for years to come. Stars like Liam Neeson and Jason Statham have continued gripping audiences in action films well through their 50s.

As long as he remains fit and dedicated to the physicality of an action star, Reynolds likely has at least another decade or more of these roles ahead of him before he transitions into more mature dramatic parts later in his career.

What upcoming Ryan Reynolds movies and projects can fans look forward to?

Upcoming Reynolds projects include the Christmas musical Spirited with Will Ferrell (2022), time travel adventure film The Adam Project for Netflix (2022), and the highly anticipated Deadpool threequel (2024).

Reynolds is also developing a live-action remake of the classic cartoon A Christmas Carol and sequels to Red Notice and 6 Underground are rumored to be in the works. His production company Maximum Effort continues developing new film and TV projects that Reynolds may act in and star in down the line as well.