Ryan Reynolds: From Child Star to Hollywood Leading Man
Ryan Reynolds is one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood today, known for blockbuster action films like “Deadpool” and “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” as well as romantic comedies like “The Proposal.” But Reynolds got his start in show business as a teen actor starring on the popular 1990s TV show “Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place.”
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Ryan Rodney Reynolds was born on October 23, 1976 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. From a young age, Reynolds was drawn to performing. He landed his first acting role at age 13 in the Canadian teen soap opera “Hillside” (known in the U.S. as “Fifteen”).
Ryan’s Big Break on “Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place”
Reynolds got his big break in 1998 when he was cast as Michael “Berg” Bergen on the NBC sitcom “Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place.” The show ran for four seasons and quickly became a fan favorite, establishing Reynolds as a rising star.<div style=”text-align:center”>
| Season | Year | Nielsen Rating | Viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998–1999 | N/A | N/A |
| 2 | 1999–2000 | 4.60 | 7.5 |
| 3 | 2000–2001 | N/A | N/A |
| 4 | 2001–2002 | 4.90 | 7.4 |
</div>
On the show, Reynolds played a young college graduate working at a pizza place with his friends, often getting caught up in humorous situations. Critics praised Reynolds for his charming presence and comedic timing. The exposure from the well-rated sitcom helped boost Reynolds to wider fame and led to bigger opportunities on the silver screen.
Transition to Movie Star
After “Two Guys” ended in 2002, Reynolds shifted his focus to feature films. He starred in several forgettable B-movies before landing supporting roles in 2005’s “The Amityville Horror” and 2006’s “Smokin’ Aces.” Then in 2009, Reynolds had his biggest success yet playing the title role in “The Proposal,” a romantic comedy with Sandra Bullock.
Hit and Miss Years
“The Proposal” cemented Reynolds as a bankable movie star. But he experienced a string of box office flops in the early 2010s including “Green Lantern” (2011), “R.I.P.D.” (2013) and “Self/Less” (2015). During this period Reynolds married actress Blake Lively, who he credits with helping him get through disappointments in his career.
Comeback with Deadpool
Reynolds finally reclaimed Hollywood leading man status when he took on the role of his career in 2016’s “Deadpool.” His turn as the irreverent super anti-hero was a massive commercial and critical success. Thanks to “Deadpool’s” popularity, Reynolds brought the character back for 2018’s “Deadpool 2” which earned even more at the box office. These R-rated action comedies helped redefine Reynolds as a versatile, in-demand movie star.
Current Work
Now in his 40s, Reynolds shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to balance action spectaculars like 2021’s “Red Notice” with lighter, romantic fare like “The Adam Project” released in 2022 on Netflix.
Reynolds also remains involved in productions behind the camera. He co-wrote and starred in 2022’s holiday musical “Spirited.” And he is an owner of Mint Mobile as well as Aviation American Gin.
With his irresistible charisma and keen comedic chops, Ryan Reynolds has firmly claimed membership among Hollywood’s A-list movie stars. And it all started with his breakout role back in 1998 on a “little show about six friends” called “Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place.”
Conclusion
In summary, Ryan Reynolds first achieved fame as a teen actor on the 1990s sitcom “Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place.” The popularity Reynolds gained from playing charming Ivy Leaguer Michael “Berg” Bergen on the NBC show for four seasons made him a star and led to leading roles in feature films. After some career ups and downs in the 2000s and early 2010s, Reynolds re-established himself as a versatile A-list movie star with blockbuster hits like “Deadpool” and “Red Notice” as well as the romantic comedy “The Proposal.” Now a powerhouse on and off screen in Hollywood, Reynolds came a long way from the 21-year-old Canadian comedic actor that audiences first fell for on “Two Guys” 25 years ago. With his quick wit and undeniable charisma carrying projects big and small, Ryan Reynolds remains a force to be reckoned with as he continues growing his impressive acting resume.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ryan Reynolds’ Child Star Years
What Canadian teen soap opera was Ryan Reynolds on?
Reynolds landed his first acting role at age 13 on the Canadian teen soap opera “Hillside” (known as “Fifteen” in the United States).
How old was Reynolds when he was cast in Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place?
Reynolds was 21 years old when he was cast as Michael “Berg” Bergen on the sitcom “Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place” in 1998.
What was distinctive about Reynolds’ character Berg on the show?
As Berg, Reynolds played a smart but naive Ivy League college graduate working at a pizza place with his friends. His charming presence and comedic timing earned him praise.
How long did Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place run?
“Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place” ran for four seasons on NBC from 1998-2002, for a total of 81 episodes.
What was Ryan Reynolds’ first big movie role after Two Guys ended?
Reynolds’ first notable feature film after the sitcom was 2005’s “The Amityville Horror” – a remake of the 1970s horror classic. Reynolds played the lead role in the film, which further raised his profile in Hollywood.