In the glitzy world of Hollywood, where fame and luxury often take center stage, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have managed to carve out a life for their four children that prioritizes normalcy, humility, and empathy. The Deadpool star recently opened up in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter about his parenting philosophy and how he and Lively work hard to keep their kids grounded despite their high-profile lives.
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Balancing Fame with Family Life
Ryan Reynolds, 48, and Blake Lively, 37, share four children: James (9), Inez (8), Betty (5), and their youngest, Olin, born in 2023. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Reynolds emphasized their goal of giving their children “as normal a life as possible,” a stark contrast to the glamorous and fast-paced lives their parents lead. Despite being household names and regular fixtures on red carpets, the couple has consistently made their family life a priority.
“I try not to impose upon them the difference in their childhood to my childhood or my wife’s childhood,” Reynolds explained. Both he and Lively grew up in working-class families, and Reynolds recalls moments when he would reflect on how different their children’s upbringing is compared to his own.
“I used to say or think, like, ‘Oh God, I would never have had a gift like this when I was a kid,’ or, ‘I never would’ve had this luxury of getting takeout,’ or whatever,” he shared. However, he quickly realized that these comparisons aren’t something his children need to shoulder.
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Raising Empathetic and Grounded Kids
One of the core values Reynolds and Lively aim to instill in their children is empathy. “They’re already very much in touch with gratitude and understanding the world enough to have a strong sense of empathy,” Reynolds said. “Those are the things that I would think [would indicate] we’re doing an OK job — if our kids can empathize with other people and other kids.”
While Reynolds acknowledges that their children’s lives are inherently different from his own, he believes fostering a strong moral compass is essential. “Yes, it’s different,” he admitted. “When I was a kid, you would just suck it up, get out of the house, and be back by sundown, which I just can’t even imagine now.”
The couple also makes deliberate choices to keep their kids out of the public eye. Despite their fame, Reynolds and Lively rarely share photos of their children and only offer small glimpses into their family life during interviews. This level of privacy allows their children to grow up without the pressure of the spotlight.
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Parenting While Juggling Hollywood Careers
As two of the busiest stars in Hollywood, Reynolds and Lively face unique challenges in balancing their careers with their responsibilities as parents. Reynolds, who was recently named The Hollywood Reporter‘s “Producer of the Year” for his achievements in film and television, spoke about how filmmaking often pulls him away from his family.
“It had been six years since the last [Deadpool movie], and part of the reason is that it swallows my whole life,” he said during a recent conversation with Andrew Garfield for Variety’s Actors on Actors. “You can’t take your hand off the stick all the way through development, through postproduction into marketing and promo, and then you kind of [stop].”
Reynolds admitted that being away from his family during these periods is one of the most difficult aspects of his job. “I don’t ever want to be an absentee, and I don’t ever want to miss stuff,” he said, reflecting on the heartbreak of missing important moments in his children’s lives. “I, like, kind of die inside when I see their face and they have a competition or they have a sports thing or something and I missed it.”
A Shared Commitment to Family
Reynolds and Lively have always prioritized their family above their careers. The couple, who married in 2012, are known for their playful banter on social media but take their roles as parents very seriously. They have been candid about the sacrifices they’ve made to ensure their children have a stable upbringing, even as they navigate Hollywood’s demands.
Reynolds has often praised Lively for her parenting skills, calling her the backbone of their family. In an interview, he once joked that while he’s in charge of the fun, she handles the important stuff. “She runs the show,” he said. “I just try to keep up.”
Looking to the Future
Despite the challenges of parenting, Reynolds and Lively appear to embrace their roles wholeheartedly. In July 2024, Reynolds jokingly hinted that their family might not be done growing. Speaking to E! News, he said, “The more the merrier. As many as possible.” While the comment was made in jest, it highlights the couple’s love for family and their joy in raising children together.
Reynolds also shared his hopes for his children’s future. “If they can grow up being empathetic and understanding the world enough to care about other people, then I’ll know we’ve done something right,” he said.
A Philosophy Rooted in Humility and Gratitude
Reynolds and Lively’s approach to parenting reflects their shared values of humility and gratitude. Both actors came from modest backgrounds, and they have worked hard to ensure their success doesn’t overshadow the importance of staying grounded. By focusing on empathy and shielding their children from the pressures of fame, they hope to provide a foundation for a balanced and fulfilling life.
In an industry where many celebrity children grow up in the spotlight, the Reynolds-Lively family stands out for their commitment to privacy and normalcy. Whether it’s through small moments of gratitude or ensuring their kids understand the value of empathy, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are redefining what it means to raise a family in Hollywood.
For Reynolds, the most rewarding part of his success isn’t the accolades or blockbuster films but the time he spends with his children. “At the end of the day, I just want to be there for them,” he said. “That’s what matters most.”
