Entertainment

Ryan Reynolds' Tribute To A Late 'Deadpool' Fan Will Give You Chills

by Taylor Ortega
Shutterstock

Earlier this year, Ryan Reynolds lost an unlikely friend and, this weekend, he continued to celebrate his life.

In April, 13-year-old "Deadpool" fan Connor McGrath died following a three-year battle with cancer. On Sunday, the film's star wrote a tribute to Connor, a friend he met through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to celebrate what would have been the Canadian teen's 14th birthday.

In an Instagram post, the actor shared two photos of himself with Connor and wrote,

My friend Connor McGrath would have been 14 years old tomorrow. He isn't here now, but he stuck around long enough to make everyone he knew fall over laughing. Right up to the very end he was as quick with a joke as he was with a hug. @makeawishamerica brought us together and nothing -- not even a cowardly, fuckfaced thing called cancer can take that away.

Ryan, who visited Connor at the hospital in Alberta during his treatment in January, personally screened “Deadpool” for his Make-A-Wish pal.

In a Facebook post following Connor's death six months ago, Ryan wish the McGrath family well and thanked them for “allowing Connor to spend time with a foul-mouthed child in the body of a 39-year-old.”

He also praised his friend and fan for his humor and spirit.

He wrote,

This kid... He was smart. He was funny. And not just funny 'for a kid' -- or funny 'for a person battling something awful'. He was unqualified funny. He had that... thing. That thing you see in great performers or comedy writers. A running commentary/observational skill people are just lucky to be born with… Connor was a great friend, a great son, and a light to the people lucky enough to know him.

Along with his kind, sincere expression, Ryan posted photos of Connor, his family and Ryan and Connor together during visits.

Though it's unsurprising a father of two who seems genuinely kind despite having achieved massive stardom could befriend a fan in need, Ryan's honest connection with Connor sure makes the toilet world we live in look a lot brighter.

Subscribe to Elite Daily's official newsletter, The Edge, for more stories you don't want to miss.

Citations: Ryan Reynolds Pays Tribute to Late 'Deadpool' Fan With Heartfelt Birthday Message (Entertainment Tonight)