Ryan Reynolds has opened up about a terrifying accident from his teenage years, revealing he spent weeks in hospital after being struck by a drunk driver while walking home.
The Deadpool star shared the story during a recent interview with GQ, where he and Wrexham A.F.C. co-owner Rob McElhenney answered questions while attempting to assemble IKEA furniture.
Reynolds recalled that the incident happened when he was 18 years old in his hometown of Vancouver, Canada. After having a beer, he decided not to drive the short distance home.
“I looked at my car for a second and thought, ‘You know what, I’m not going to drive anywhere—even if it’s four blocks home,'” Reynolds explained. “So instead, I turned around and started to cross the street… and I got run over by a drunk driver.”
The actor said making the responsible decision likely saved others from harm, but it came at a devastating personal cost.
“I got run over by a drunk driver after making a firmly positive and wise decision for a young, 18-year-old male,” Reynolds said.
He revealed that he spent four weeks in hospital recovering from extensive injuries.
“I broke every bone on my left side,” he said. “He hit me so hard, his car was not operational.”
Reynolds also thanked the medical team who treated him, giving special recognition to Dr. Meek at Vancouver General Hospital.
“I’d like to thank Dr. Meek at the General Hospital for putting me back together so kindly,” he joked. “Socialised medicine—he couldn’t say no.”
Although McElhenney admitted it was the first time he’d heard the story, Reynolds has spoken about the crash before.
During a 2011 interview with CTV News, the actor revealed he was knocked unconscious and didn’t wake up until three days later in hospital.
“I remember my dad sitting there with a vomit tray,” Reynolds recalled. “I guess I had been heaving in my unconscious.”
He joked that nothing says love like covering someone with “three-day-old Gin Rummies,” after vomiting on his father shortly after regaining consciousness.
Despite making a full recovery, Reynolds said the injuries have had lasting effects.
“Since then, I’ve been a rickety, broken mess,” he admitted.
The actor has gone on to become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but his story serves as a reminder of the life-changing consequences of drunk driving—and how one responsible decision may have prevented an even greater tragedy.
