Ryan Reynolds Opens Up About Fatherhood, Career, and the Fear of Becoming an Absentee Parent

Ryan Reynolds, Hollywood’s quick-witted leading man and star of Deadpool & Wolverine, recently revealed a more vulnerable side of himself: that being away from his children sometimes makes him “die inside.” In a candid conversation with Andrew Garfield for Variety’s Actors on Actors series, published December 9, 2024, the 48-year-old actor spoke openly about the emotional toll of balancing blockbuster filmmaking with raising a young family.

The Emotional Weight of Absence

Reynolds admitted that the all-encompassing nature of his latest project often left him feeling torn between professional obligations and personal milestones. “The filmmaking process swallows my whole life,” he explained of Deadpool & Wolverine, which premiered in summer 2024 after a six-year hiatus.

Reflecting on the moments he’s missed with his four children—James, 10, Inez, 8, Betty, 5, and Olin, born in 2023—Reynolds said:

“I, like, kind of die inside when I see their face and they have a competition or they have a sports thing or something and I missed it. I don’t ever want to be an absentee, and I don’t ever want to miss stuff.”

His heartfelt remarks struck a chord with many working parents who wrestle with guilt when career demands keep them from family milestones.

Weighing Deadpool’s Future

Reynolds also addressed whether he would return for a fourth Deadpool film. While acknowledging the fan enthusiasm, he emphasized that the character’s appeal thrives on “scarcity and surprise.” He suggested that if Wade Wilson reappears, it might be in a supporting role—perhaps in a long-discussed Gambit project with Channing Tatum—rather than as the central figure. The shift, he hinted, would give him more flexibility to be present at home.

“It had been six years since the last one and part of the reason is that it swallows my whole life,” Reynolds told Garfield.

A Partnership Built on Family

Reynolds and his wife, actress Blake Lively, 37, have been married since 2012 and are known for their conscious approach to parenting. In an August 2024 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Lively admitted to feeling the same guilt when work takes her away from home, noting, “When you’re working, sometimes you feel guilty for, you know, not being in your personal life in those hours you’re at work.”

The couple have made it a priority to coordinate their schedules so one parent is always available. After a whirlwind year, sources told Life and Style that they planned to retreat to their country home for the holidays, away from New York and Los Angeles, to focus solely on their children.

Giving Their Kids a “Normal” Childhood

Despite their celebrity status, Reynolds and Lively have been intentional about shielding their children from the spotlight. In December 2024, Reynolds told The Hollywood Reporter that he and Lively try to recreate the grounded upbringing they themselves experienced:

“I try not to impose upon them the difference in their childhood to my childhood or my wife’s childhood.”

The actor has even woven personal tributes into his work. His daughter James’ name appeared as “Baby Deadpool” in Deadpool 2, and he’s spoken fondly of watching Deadpool & Wolverine with her—a special moment he compared to the impact R-rated action films had on him growing up.

Taylor Swift’s Godmother Role

Reynolds also addressed his family’s friendship with Taylor Swift, who revealed in 2024 that she is the godmother to his daughters. Playfully promoting Deadpool & Wolverine, Swift quipped that Reynolds’ Marvel anti-hero was “my godkids’ sperm donor.” Reynolds responded with his signature humor, saying he’d happily have that written on his gravestone.

“It was very sweet,” he told Deadline. “Not just sweet, that was, like, epic.”

A Balancing Act

For Reynolds, fatherhood remains the central role of his life—even as his Hollywood career continues to soar. His comments reflect the push and pull many parents face: striving for professional fulfillment while guarding the irreplaceable moments of family life.

“I don’t ever want to be an absentee,” Reynolds stressed—a reminder that even for global stars, the greatest role is often the one played at home.

Would you like me to style this piece more like a celebrity magazine feature (punchier, with more pull quotes) or a serious profile (in-depth, reflective on the work-life balance theme)?