Ryan Reynolds Recalls Serious Accident That Left Him Hospitalized for Weeks

Ryan Reynolds has opened up about a life-altering accident he experienced at the age of 18, revealing that he was struck by a drunk driver while walking in Vancouver. The actor shared this harrowing story during an interview with GQ, alongside his friend and business partner Rob McElhenney.

Reynolds described the aftermath of the crash, which resulted in significant injuries and a lengthy hospital stay. He noted, “Spent four weeks in the hospital.” The impact was so severe that he remarked, “Oh yeah, broke every bone in my left side.” The force of the collision was such that the driver’s vehicle was rendered unusable.

McElhenney, hearing this story for the first time, expressed his shock, admitting he had been unaware of the incident until Reynolds mentioned it.

The accident took place in Reynolds’ hometown of Vancouver, Canada, during the early days of his acting career. At that time, he had only appeared in minor television roles, and his rise to fame with films like Van Wilder and Deadpool was still years away.

Reflecting on the night of the accident in a subsequent interview, Reynolds explained that he had been out drinking but opted not to drive. Instead, he chose to walk home. He recounted, “I was 19 in Vancouver, Canada — drinking age is different there — and I’d had a couple of drinks and I didn’t want to get in my car, obviously, because that’s insane. I walked home, and on my way home, I got hit by a drunk driver. I was like, ‘Thanks karma!’”

Despite the seriousness of the incident, Reynolds infused humor into his account of the medical care he received, joking, “I’d like to thank Dr. Meek at the General Hospital for putting me back together so kindly. Socialized medicine, he couldn’t say no.”

The conversation allowed Reynolds to reflect on his journey since that fateful night. Back then, he was still a budding actor, while today he stands as one of Hollywood’s most recognized stars.

Reynolds’ friendship with McElhenney, known for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and their joint ownership of Wrexham AFC, added a personal touch to the interview. McElhenney was taken aback to learn such a serious story from someone he has worked closely with for years.

While Reynolds has mentioned the accident in previous interviews, he rarely delves into the details. His recent comments shed light on the severity of his injuries and the lengthy recovery process.

Despite the gravity of the crash, Reynolds fully recovered and has since built a successful career in film and television, becoming one of the most recognizable actors in the industry.

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