Ryan Reynolds Reveals Serious Teen Accident That Left Him Hospitalized for Weeks

Ryan Reynolds has shared details of a life-changing accident from his teenage years, revealing that he was struck by a drunk driver shortly after making the decision not to drive himself home.

The actor discussed the incident during a recent GQ video interview with his Wrexham AFC co-owner and friend, Rob McElhenney. Known for his humor and quick wit, Reynolds spoke candidly about a much more serious chapter of his life before his rise to Hollywood fame.

According to Reynolds, the accident happened when he was 18 years old in Vancouver, Canada. After having a beer at a local bar, he decided not to drive his car home, even though he lived only a few blocks away.

"I thought, 'You know what, I'm not gonna drive anywhere. Even if it's four blocks home, absolutely not,'" Reynolds recalled.

Moments later, while crossing the street on foot, he was hit by a drunk driver. The collision was severe enough to leave him with extensive injuries and send him to the hospital for nearly a month.

Reynolds said the crash broke every bone on the left side of his body. In previous comments about the incident, he revealed that he woke up in the hospital three days after the accident.

The actor has often joked about the lasting effects of the injuries, describing himself as a "rickety, broken mess" and noting that he still experiences aches and pains decades later.

The revelation surprised McElhenney, who said he had never heard the story before despite their close friendship and business partnership.

Even while recounting the traumatic experience, Reynolds ended the story with a touch of humor, thanking the medical team that treated him.

"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," Reynolds said.

The accident remains a significant part of Reynolds' personal history, especially given his later success in the alcohol business. The actor became a major stakeholder in Aviation American Gin before its sale to Diageo in a deal worth up to $610 million, while retaining an ongoing interest. He has also launched the wine brand Ugly Estates.

Despite his involvement in the beverage industry, Reynolds has consistently promoted responsible alcohol consumption. He has spoken openly about enjoying an occasional glass of wine, beer, or cocktail to unwind, while avoiding excessive drinking.

His work as an actor has also required long periods of abstinence. Reynolds has said that preparing for physically demanding roles such as Deadpool often meant giving up alcohol entirely for months at a time.

Looking ahead, Reynolds remains busy with a slate of film and television projects. He stars in the action-comedy Mayday, scheduled for release on September 4, 2026, and voices a character in the animated-live-action hybrid Animal Friends, which is set to arrive in January 2027. He is also expected to return as Deadpool in Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday.

In addition to acting, Reynolds continues producing projects through his company, Maximum Effort, and remains involved in the ongoing documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, which follows the fortunes of the Welsh football club he co-owns with McElhenney.