Ryan Reynolds took to Twitter to pay tribute to his late father James Reynolds, who died on Oct. 25 after a 20-year battle with Parkinson's disease.
On Wednesday, the actor shared the tragic news on his social media account with a link to The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research for followers to support or donate. The tweet included an old childhood photo of his father holding him as an infant, with the caption, "RIP Pops. James C. Reynolds. 1941-2015."
Reynolds bonded with Michael J. Fox over their shared connection to the debilitating disease, in hopes of finding a cure. The two sat down with the "Today" show last year to discuss their efforts and share stories about the impact Parkinson's has had on their own lives.
“[My father] comes from a pretty prideful generation. And he doesn’t really talk about it too much,” Reynolds remarked. “But, he’s maybe said it once or twice out loud."
The "Deadpool" also actor penned an essay for The Huffington Post in 2008 where he described the painful experience of witnessing the development of the disease.
"I've watched my father -- a strong and proud person who successfully raised 4 arguably insane children -- slowly, cruelly stripped of his independence," he wrote. "His golden years robbed without explanation."
In his obituary, James is described as "a strong and passionate man who lived life to the fullest" and whose "spirit, stories and memories live on in his sons and grandkids."
Reynolds and wife Blake Lively welcomed their first child together in 2014. Their daughter James shares the same name as Reynolds' father.
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