Ryan Reynolds is drawing fresh attention for his emotional tribute to his mother and her support during his father’s battle with Parkinson’s disease. In an interview, he spoke about how the illness affected his family and inspired his advocacy work. Reynolds also reflected on his father’s struggle and the silence that often surrounds the disease.
Here’s how Reynolds’s story sheds light on caregiving, stigma, and the need for Parkinson’s awareness.
Ryan Reynolds shares rare insight into his mother’s impact on his life
In a recent interview, Ryan Reynolds spoke about his mother’s selfless devotion during his father’s battle with Parkinson’s disease.
“I watched my mom give her last drop of blood to caregiving and taking care of my father,” Reynolds said while speaking with Parade. He highlighted the toll caregiving took on her, adding, “You’re not practicing self-care in any way sometimes, and you just kind of have nothing left.”
Reynolds’s father, James Chester Reynolds, received a Parkinson’s diagnosis when Ryan was 22 and died from the disease a few years later. Reynolds highlighted symptoms like slowed movements, unstable posture, hallucinations, delusions, and depression. He stressed that the disease burdens both patients and caregivers.
To raise awareness, Reynolds partnered with Acadia Pharmaceuticals in 2024 for the More to Parkinson’s campaign, focusing on hallucinations and delusions associated with the disease. In April 2025, he participated in a public event to mark Parkinson’s Awareness Month, encouraging families and care teams to engage in open discussions. “You’re not just talking to patients; you’re talking to the circle that’s around them,” Reynolds stated.
Reflecting on his family’s experience, Reynolds shared, “I think of it as a difficult situation because any kind of struggle you’re having health-wise can sometimes be stigmatized.” He highlighted how difficult it is to explain and cope with Parkinson’s symptoms, especially when others misunderstand them.
Reynolds expressed that understanding and communication reduce fear. “When you share it, it suddenly becomes accessible, it suddenly stops being the boogeyman,” he said. He also wishes his father had spoken more about his condition. “I think he would have been much, much healthier and better off had he shared more,” Reynolds said.
He acknowledged the value of advocacy, saying, “It’s part of the gift, too, being able to have a platform.”
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on ComingSoon.net.
