Ryan Reynolds, known for his wit and candidness, opened up about his experience as a father of four during an October 9 interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers. As a proud parent of three daughters and a recently born son, Olin, Reynolds humorously described how adding a boy to the family stirred up new dynamics that tested his patience. His remarks highlighted the unexpected challenges that come with raising a son, underpinning the theme of Ryan Reynolds fatherhood humor.
How Having a Son Changed the Family Atmosphere
Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively welcome their son Olin in 2023, joining their daughters James, Inez, and Betty. The actor revealed that while raising daughters was comparatively easier, having a son introduced a different set of behaviors and energies.
“If I had like three boys at first, I would never — there’s no way,”
Reynolds joked.
“I would give myself a punching vasectomy. Like, there’s no way I would allow that to happen.”
The actor described their home as a peaceful environment until Olin arrived with what he called “three things on his mind”: violence, breasts, and engines. This contrast between his daughters’ calmer demeanor and his son’s lively impulses gave Reynolds a newfound appreciation for the complexities of fatherhood.
Reflecting on His Own Childhood and Parenting Experience
Reynolds related his experience as a father to memories of growing up as the youngest of four boys. He expressed empathy for his own mother, who raised four sons, acknowledging the challenges she must have faced.
“I’m, like, in direct competition with this young man,”
Reynolds said of his son.
“No he’s — I’m the youngest of four boys, and boy do I feel for my mom. You know, like, I really do. My dad, meh. But my mom really.”
Recalling the chaos of his youth, Reynolds explained how his brothers subjected him to rough treatment. He joked,
“Do you know how many times my brothers had me exit a room not through the door? I was a moving target that they would use. You know cops, what they would use when they’re breaking into the place with a battering ram, that was my head. I was the ram.”
He also shared a surprising childhood skill, saying,
“I mean like when I was 8, I’m not making this up. I knew how to patch drywall. That right there says a lot. Like I knew how to — literally, a hole in the wall, I could repair that in less than six minutes before my dad got home perfectly. Like spackle, sand, and paint, we’re good.”
Blake Lively’s Adorable Account of Their Toddler Son
In contrast to her husband’s tales of roughhousing, Blake Lively offered a softer perspective during a May interview on the same show, describing Olin as “so romantic.” She shared,
“When I walk in, he goes, ‘Mama, my love!’ Oh, he’s just a dream. I mean like, they’re chaos. It’s chaos at all times.”
Despite the wild nature of toddlerhood, Lively highlighted moments of affectionate sweetness that Olin frequently expresses toward her.
Describing her feelings as a mother, she said,
“Like, he just announces that I’m the love of his life at all times, which is just the best feeling in the world. I get dressed every day, like a girl in middle school, and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, I hope he thinks … I hope he says something.’”
The Couple’s Relationship and Parenting Journey
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s partnership began in 2011, following their meeting on the set of Green Lantern. They married in 2012 and have since built a family together. Lively has described Reynolds with admiration, celebrating his character and work ethic. At the 36th American Cinematheque Award ceremony in 2022, she praised,
“heart, his philanthropy, his humor, his integrity, his unmatched work ethic, his self-deprecating levity, his hard-earned depths, and his grace.”
Fatherhood’s Impact and What It Means for the Future
Ryan Reynolds’ remarks reveal the intensity and complexity involved in parenting four children with distinct personalities and needs. His humorous approach to the chaos brought by a son contrasts with the calm experiences he had with his daughters, offering a reminder of the unique challenges each child can present. His empathy toward his own mother’s experience and openness about family life bring authenticity to his public image.
Moving forward, Reynolds’ reflections suggest a deeper understanding of fatherhood’s demands and rewards. His blend of humor and sincerity shows how navigating parenthood, especially through the lens of Ryan Reynolds fatherhood humor, remains both a challenge and a source of joy for him and Blake Lively as they continue raising their children.
