Ryan Reynolds Reflects on His Father’s Parkinson’s Battle and the One Thing That Could Have Made a Difference

Ryan Reynolds, best known for his quick wit on screen in films like Deadpool & Wolverine, recently opened up about a deeply personal chapter of his life: his late father’s two-decade battle with Parkinson’s disease. In an exclusive interview with People magazine, the actor shared a poignant reflection on what might have eased his father’s suffering—modern treatments for hallucinations and delusions, symptoms that haunted him for years but were rarely spoken of due to stigma and pride.

A Father’s Silent Struggle

James Chester Reynolds, a former police officer from Vancouver, was just 57 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. His son Ryan was 22 at the time. Over the next 20 years, the neurodegenerative disease gradually took hold, and in 2015, James passed away at 74.

While Parkinson’s is often recognized for motor symptoms like tremors and stiffness, Reynolds highlighted a less visible battle: the hallucinations and delusions that affect up to 40 percent of patients. “He was a proud man, probably said the word Parkinson’s twice in his whole life,” Reynolds recalled. This silence, rooted in pride and stigma, left much of his suffering unspoken—even as his family grappled with behaviors they struggled to understand. “I remember thinking, ‘My dad’s losing his mind,’” Reynolds said, not realizing at the time that these psychological symptoms were tied to the disease.

The Treatments That Came Too Late

Looking back, Reynolds expressed regret that newer therapies for hallucinations and delusions weren’t available during his father’s lifetime. “I wish they were around when my dad was going through some of these things,” he said. He referred to the medications as “miracle treatments,” underscoring how they might have eased the disorienting and isolating experiences his father endured.

Today, those treatments exist—and Reynolds is determined to make sure other families know about them. Partnering with Acadia Pharmaceuticals and the More to Parkinson’s initiative, he has channeled his personal experience into advocacy, raising awareness about symptoms that often remain hidden in silence.

The Caregiver’s Burden

The disease’s toll extended beyond James. For nearly 20 years, his wife Tammy served as his caregiver, carrying the immense emotional and physical strain that comes with the role. “It really broke her,” Reynolds admitted, pointing to caregiver fatigue as another underrecognized consequence of long-term illness. His reflections highlight how Parkinson’s doesn’t affect just the patient, but the entire family.

A Complicated Bond

Beyond the medical realities, Reynolds spoke candidly about his father as a man. James was present—attending football games and supporting his children—but struggled to share emotions openly. “He just didn’t have the capacity to feel, or at least share, the full spectrum of human emotion a bit,” Reynolds explained in an essay for People.

This emotional distance, paired with the stigma surrounding Parkinson’s, complicated their relationship. Reynolds admitted that in hindsight, he could have done more to meet his father where he was, particularly in his final years. It’s a regret that continues to shape his advocacy today.

Inspired by Michael J. Fox

Reynolds also acknowledged the role of Michael J. Fox, his longtime friend and one of the most prominent figures in Parkinson’s advocacy. Fox’s openness about his own diagnosis helped James “feel less alone,” Reynolds said. Writing for TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024, Reynolds praised Fox for revolutionizing research and support for patients worldwide, including his father.

A Call for Awareness and Support

Nearly 1 million people in the U.S. and more than 6 million globally live with Parkinson’s disease. Through his advocacy, Reynolds hopes to break down the stigma, encourage families to talk openly about all aspects of the condition, and ensure patients and caregivers alike have access to resources his family lacked.

His message is both personal and universal: Parkinson’s affects far more than motor skills—it reshapes relationships, burdens families, and often silences those who need help most. By sharing his story, Reynolds hopes fewer families will have to endure the kind of isolation his father experienced.

“Stigma can layer itself over everything,” Reynolds reflected. “But if we talk about it—if we know what’s possible—we can make life better, even in the face of something as difficult as Parkinson’s.”

Would you like me to style this more as a personal profile of Reynolds (centered on his role as son and advocate) or as a health-focused feature (spotlighting Parkinson’s symptoms, treatments, and caregiver challenges with Reynolds’ story woven in)?