THE AMAZING RYAN REYNOLDS

I yesterday reported this summer's wave of COVID-19, and indicated that it will not be as bad as last summer.  This morning, Time magazine was  perhaps not as sanguine:

As much as we want to put it behind us, COVID-19 isn’t going away. Cases are currently rising across the country in a summer surge.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that cases of COVID-19 are increasing in nine states and likely growing in another 16. The trends are estimates, as the CDC no longer conducts rigorous surveillance of cases based on results from lab tests. Fewer people are also getting tested. But the data do provide a hint of how the disease is changing over time, and new monitoring systems that track viruses in wastewater confirm the rise.

Throughout history there has been a whole host of amazing people.  One was known as The Amazing Randi.  Here is one of my postings of him.  Today, my reportage is on the Amazing Ryan Reynolds.  He's not that rich, only worth $350 million, compared to other celebrities like David Geffen ($8.7 billion), Mark Cuban ($5.7 billion) and George Lucas/Steven Spielberg (each worth $5.3 billion). But what sets aside Reynolds is versatility, with a Midas Touch.

As you must know, Ryan Reynolds is a noted actor.  You know him.  49 years old.  He is Deadpool, and also the Green Lantern.  Was People's Sexiest Man Alive in 2010.  Did you know that in 2014, more than a 15 years ago, the Hollywood Reporter called Reynolds "one of Hollywood's most popular actors for nearly 20 years?

Just saw him in Red Notice with Dwayne Johnson and Gal Gadot.  Seems satisfied now and then being the second or third banana.  Turns out that he has been in 67 films!  Sort of represents a kind of excess that has blessed him in various ways.

For example, he was engaged to singer Alanis Morissette in 2004.  That didn't work out, so married actress Scarlett Johansson in 2008.  Got divorced in 2011, but married actress Blake Lively in 2012.  Still married, and now with three daughters and a son.  Close to Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman.

There is that matter with Lively, the movie It Ends with Us, and director Justin Baldoni, who has sued Lively and Reynolds for $400 million.  Goes to court in the spring of next year.

The part of his life that particularly caught my attention is his wildly successful business career.

• In 2018 he launched the production company Maximum Effort, signing a 3-year deal with Fox.  Company developed "fastvertising," and became a viral content machine.

• 
  MnTN linked made in 2018 and earlier this year reached a valuation of $1.2 billion
• Also in 2018, he acquired a stake in Aviation American Gin, in 2020 selling the company to Diageo for $610 million.

• 
  Bought into discount telecommunications company Mint Mobile in 2020, and in 2023 sold this company to T-Mobile for $1.35 billion.

• 
  In 2020 took over the Welsh soccer club Wrexham.
• In April, Wreham AFC made history as the first team to ever achieve three consecutive promotions up the ranks of the British pyramid system.

• 
  This story of a downtrodden town gaining success led to a series, Welcome to Wrexham, winning 8 Emmys in four seasons.  Rotten Tomatoes rated them 95/90.

• 
  Aviation Gin and Betty Buzz, Lively's beverage company, are sponsors of both men's and women's soccer teams in Wrexham.

• 
  This led to now teaming up with Eva Longoria to invest in a Mexican soccer team, which will lead to another series.

• 
  With Michael B. Jordan bought an F1 motor racing team, and with Hugh Jackman, a sailing team.

Reynolds and Lively do give back.

• In May 2020 joined other celebrities to support the global non-profit organization Partners in Health to combat COVID-19 in vulnerable areas.
• Is an environmental activist, donating with Lively in 2022 $500,000 to Water First, an organization for providing indigenous communities in Canada access to clean water.
• In 2022, pledged $1 million to match donations for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict with Russia.

• 
  In 2023, donated $1 million to the SAG-AFTRA Foundations's financial assist program and another million to the Red Cross to support children of the Gaza Strip.
• Couple donated $1 million to Feeding American, aiding relief efforts for 2024 hurricanes Helene and Milton.

You need to appreciate that he had a difficult youth.

• Born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1976 to a father who was a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman.  Grandfather was a politician.
• Wanted to become an actor, but at the age of 13 failed an acting class.  Became a busboy at a restaurant, while also working night shifts at a local grocery store.

• 
  Just into high school, was expelled for stealing a teacher's car.  Did graduate in 1994.
• Moved to Los Angeles to again try acting at the age of 19 in 1994.
• Got many minor rolls.
• In 1998 a breakthrough as a medical student in a series, Two Guys and a Girl.  Only 33 rating from Rotten Tomatoes, but there were redeeming virtues.
• His cameo appearance as a nurse in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle in 2004 gave him a memorable role.

I asked Google AI Overview what Ryan Reynolds is doing today, and a deeper search indicated:

• Earlier this month was appointed as an Officer to the Order of Canada, the country's highest honor.  He holds dual citizenships.
• Focusing on his family by spending time at their country home, which is in Pound Ridge, one hour drive away from Manhattan.  11.65 acres of house with 7 bedrooms and six bathrooms, a separate guest house and outdoor barn.

• 
  Working on his various businesses.
• Upcoming films include Mayday, Red Notice 2 and 3, Animal Friends and Boy Band.
• Preparing for the Spring court fight with Justin Baldoni.
• So life is, indeed, mostly good for the Amazing Ryan Reynolds.

-