Ryan Reynolds enjoyed a lively childhood, filled with outdoor activities and family moments with his three older brothers. Whether playing sports, fishing, or simply spending time with his siblings, his early years were active and fun.
Reflecting on those days, Reynolds once shared with PEOPLE that being the youngest wasn’t easy—his brothers saw him less as a sibling and more as “a moving target.” At just 13, Reynolds landed his first acting role as Billy Simpson in the Canadian teen drama Hillside, which aired in the U.S. under the name Fifteen.
This marked the beginning of a career that would steadily grow, with appearances in shows and films like Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, The Amityville Horror, The Proposal, and his breakout success with the Deadpool series.
Reynolds, now celebrating his 48th birthday on October 23, still carries the charm and humor that have defined both his personal life and career.
A Lifelong Football Fan
Football has been a passion for Reynolds from a young age. In a childhood photo he posted, the actor holds an oversized football, adding humor to the moment by saying, “If the ball was this big, the game would be completely absurd.”
Playful Mischief
A vintage picture of Reynolds behind the wheel of a toy car shows him sporting a bowl cut, accompanied by one of his cheeky captions: “This was the first car my brother and I ever ‘borrowed.’ I can still hear Dad yelling from the trunk.”
Funny Birthday Reflection
For his birthday in 2018, Reynolds shared a picture of himself as a child, seated in front of a colorful cake. His signature humor shone through with the caption, “Happy Birthday to me—or as Dad used to say, ‘The condom didn’t work.’”
Brotherly Bond
Reynolds has always had a close relationship with his brothers. In one photo he posted, he and Jeff are seen holding hands by the water, with Reynolds joking that it feels like only a week ago Jeff was still changing his diapers.
A Comical Tribute to Jeff
Another post featured the two brothers in matching shirts, with Reynolds affectionately calling Jeff “the first friend I ever had.” He joked about a hypothetical house fire, saying if forced to save someone, he’d rescue himself first—but would trust the fire personnel to handle the rest.
A Family Outing to Knott’s Berry Farm
During a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm, Reynolds recalled how his dad would take the kids there to meet girls. Years later, he found it hilarious that one of the “siblings” in the photo was actually a statue.
Fishing Adventure with a Twist
A throwback photo shows a young Reynolds proudly holding a fish, paired with his humorous realization: “I thought fly fishing involved pulling a trout from my pants to prank my brothers.”
Love for Sports on Display
Even as a young adult, Reynolds maintained his enthusiasm for sports. Back in 1999, he participated in MTV’s Rock N’ Jock Baseball tournament, years before he became part-owner of Wrexham A.F.C.
Peak 2000s Fashion
At the Battlefield Earth premiere, Reynolds sported the layered look and gelled hair typical of early 2000s trends, embodying the style of the era.
Red Carpet Swagger
In another standout moment, Reynolds turned heads with his spiked hair at the 1999 Election premiere, proving that he had an eye for bold looks even before hitting superstar status.