The Secret Tribute in Deadpool & Wolverine That Ryan Reynolds Fought to Get Right—A Dedication to Rob Delaney’s Son

Ryan Reynolds recently opened up about a regret that has haunted him since the release of Deadpool 2: his failure to include a tribute to Rob Delaney’s late son, Henry, in the film’s credits. Henry, who passed away in February 2018 at just two years old from a brain tumor, had died shortly after the filming of Deadpool 2 had concluded but before its release. In an emotional Instagram post, Reynolds admitted, “I’ve always kicked my own ass because I didn’t place a tribute to Henry over the end credits of DP2,” revealing his deep regret over the oversight.

Henry’s death was a heartbreaking moment for Delaney, who plays the character of Peterpool (also known as Peter Wisdom) in both Deadpool 2 and the newly released Deadpool & Wolverine. Reynolds, who has built a close bond with Delaney over their shared work on the Deadpool films, expressed his sorrow at not having properly acknowledged Henry’s passing in the previous film, particularly because of the profound impact it had on his co-star.

A Heartfelt Gesture in Deadpool & Wolverine

In an effort to make amends, Reynolds made sure to include a tribute to Henry in the credits of Deadpool & Wolverine, which quickly became one of the highest-grossing R-rated films. The dedication reads, “For Henry Delaney,” a simple but powerful acknowledgment that Reynolds hopes will allow Henry’s name to resonate with a wider audience. “If there’s a bright side,” Reynolds noted, “even more people are seeing Henry’s name in the credits of Deadpool & Wolverine. And at long last, father and son are sharing the same screen.”

The tribute also allowed Reynolds to express his admiration for Delaney’s incredible resilience following the loss of his son. Delaney’s personal grief, which he explored in his 2022 memoir A Heart That Works, was lauded by Reynolds as an “incredible piece of writing.” The memoir is a raw and honest exploration of grief, full of “unfiltered, rageful, loving, sad and hilarious” emotions—a work that resonates with readers on a deeply personal level. Reynolds praised Delaney as “one of the most subversively funny people I know,” recognizing how Delaney’s humor and vulnerability shine through even in the darkest of times.

Honoring a Father’s Legacy

The decision to include Henry’s tribute in Deadpool & Wolverine was not only a personal one for Reynolds but also an effort to honor the memory of a child whose life was tragically cut short. Through this gesture, Reynolds aimed to offer some comfort to his friend and co-star, Delaney, whose grief has shaped not only his personal life but also his career.

Reynolds’ deep empathy for Delaney and his family is evident in his words and actions, both on and off the screen. By ensuring that Henry’s name appears in the credits of Deadpool & Wolverine, Reynolds not only corrected a past omission but also gave Henry’s memory a place of significance in one of the most successful films of the year.

As Reynolds himself admitted, it was a decision he had to make to “right the wrong” of not including the tribute earlier. But with the success of Deadpool & Wolverine, he can now take comfort in knowing that Henry’s legacy is being shared with the world—and that a father and son, though separated by tragedy, will always be connected in the hearts of those who care about them.