Ryan Reynolds shares truly moving Twitter tribute to his late father
Ryan Reynolds suffered a tragic loss this week, with the death of his father James.
James, 74, had lived with Parkinson's Disease for the last twenty years, though Ryan did not publicly reveal this until last year.
In a moving tribute online last night, Ryan posted a picture of his father holding him as a baby with the message "RIP Pops. James C. Reynolds. 1941-2015."
RIP Pops. James C. Reynolds. 1941-2015 If possible, please donate/support: https://t.co/exJYbchCmq pic.twitter.com/8hAfxVbcU1
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) October 28, 2015
Ryan asked anyone who wanted to honour his father's memory to donate to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Michael has also been living with Parkinson's since 1991.
Speaking in a November 2014 interview, Ryan – whose baby daughter James was named for the late Mr. Reynolds – admitted his dad had kept his illness quite private over the years.
"My father really hasn't ever said he has Parkinson's disease," Reynolds revealed.
"He comes from a pretty prideful generation and he doesn't really talk about it too much. But he’s maybe said it once or twice out loud."
The Canadian actor said his dad was a tough character – though never cruel.
"In a word, he was scary. Not because he was sadistic or physically abusive.
He was scary because he was one of those people with an energetic weight to him.
Shifting his weight ever so slightly from one foot to another could transform an otherwise delightful sixth birthday party into what felt like an Irish funeral."
