"Deadpool" star Ryan Reynolds lost his father, James Reynolds, to Parkinson's disease this week. To honor his dad, the actor posted throwback photo on his Twitter account Wednesday.
The photo showed Reynolds' dad looking much younger while carrying a baby boy in his arms, who was obviously the actor. Ryan wrote, "RIP Pops. James C. Reynolds. 1941-2015," to caption the photo and also added, "If possible, please donate/support: https://www.michaeljfox.org"
RIP Pops. James C. Reynolds. 1941-2015 If possible, please donate/support: https://t.co/exJYbchCmq pic.twitter.com/8hAfxVbcU1
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) October 28, 2015
According to Entertainment Weekly, the actor's father battled with the disease since 1995, the year of Jim's first diagnosis. Last year, Ryan opened up about dealing with his dad's condition in an interview with the morning show, "Today."
"I have a slightly different, weird, strange story about that because my father really hasn't ever said he has Parkinson's disease," he told the show. "It kind of galvanized everybody else, to sort of seek resources. And for us, it's in a strange way, it's really kind of brought us together."
According to USA Today, James died on Oct. 25 in a hospital in Canada, where the Reynolds are based. His obituary was published by First Memorial Funeral Services Fraser Heights Chapel. "Despite health challenges that could have slowed him down, Jim was a strong and passionate man who lived life to the fullest. His spirit, stories and memories live on in his sons and grandkids," the obituary read. The older Reynolds has three other grown-up sons with wife, Tammy. He was a former cop and boxer, according to Daily Mail.
In 2008, Ryan wrote a piece on Huffington Post describing his dedication to run the New York City Marathon for his father. "I've watched my father—a strong and proud person who successfully raised 4 arguably insane children - slowly, cruelly stripped of his independence," the actor wrote. "Witnessing my Dad suffer over the years galvanized my need to step up."
He also talked about meeting Michael J. Fox, who is still battling the disease, and becoming involved in The Michael J. Fox foundation to help Parkinson's disease research and patients. According to Life & Style Magazine, Ryan currently sits as one of the board of directors of the said foundation.
Ryan and his wife, Blake Lively, named their daughter, James, after Ryan's father.
According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, over five million people all over the world suffer from Parkinson's, a degenerative neurological disorder.
