At the premiere of John Candy: I Like Me, producer Ryan Reynolds shared that the film gave him perspective on his own life and family<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
The documentary, screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, celebrates the life and career of beloved actor John Candy, who passed away in 1994 at the age of 43.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
\u201cI just see how fleeting [life] can be,” Reynolds said at a panel following the screening, explaining why he stepped out to call his kids<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Ryan Reynolds<\/a> is taking a moment to appreciate his kids.<\/p>\n The 48-year-old actor attended the premiere of John Candy: I Like Me \u2014 which he produced alongside Tom Hanks’<\/a> son, Colin Hanks<\/a> \u2014 at the Toronto International Film Festival<\/a> on Thursday, Sept. 4. The new documentary celebrates the life and career of beloved actor John Candy<\/a>, who died at 43<\/a> in 1994.<\/p>\n During a panel discussion following the screening Reynolds and Candy\u2019s son, Chris<\/a>, reflected on the importance of cherishing loved ones while you can. Chris, who was just nine years old when his father died, spoke candidly about how the documentary honors his father\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n Getty Images<\/p>\n From Left: George Stroumboulopoulos, Colin Hanks, Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Candy and Christopher Candy in Toronto on Sept. 4, 2025<\/p>\n \u201cI think it struck me personally that people aren\u2019t gonna be around forever,\u201d Chris, now 40, explained. \u201cSome people were leaving, and it was important for us to capture that story.\u201d<\/p>\n Reynolds agreed, saying the experience hit home and reminded him to stay present with his family. \u201cI stepped out during a couple of sections just to call my kids and say goodnight, I don\u2019t even know why,\u201d he shared. \u201cI just see how fleeting [life] can be. Even if you\u2019re sitting at a fancy premiere, you can step out for a second.\u201d<\/p>\n The Canadian actor, who shares four children<\/a> \u2014 James<\/a>, 10, Inez<\/a>, 8, Betty<\/a>, 5, and Olin<\/a>, 2 \u2014 with wife Blake Lively<\/a>, also praised Chris and his sister, Jennifer, for their openness and emotional honesty during the panel.<\/p>\n Eric Charbonneau\/Getty<\/p>\n Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively (center) with daughters James Reynolds and Ines Reynolds in 2016<\/p>\n \u201cIt was remarkable; the story that you told and how you\u2019re sharing your feelings about your father in such a sober light of day,\u201d the Deadpool star said. \u201cIt was just really, really hard to do, I imagine, and beautiful. Thank you both for doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n In a lighthearted moment, Reynolds also revealed how one of his children helped recruit one of the documentary\u2019s biggest stars: Bill Murray<\/a>. After several failed attempts to get Murray to agree to an interview, Reynolds joked that he resorted to bringing out the big guns.<\/p>\n “This is when my 2-year-old son just enters from [like] a horror movie, it’s 11:30 at night, this kid should be out cold,” the actor said. “He says something indecipherable, f—— 2-year-olds, and I said, ‘I’m sending a video to Bill, tell Bill to do the interview.’ “<\/p>\n Robin Marchant\/WireImage<\/p>\n From Left: Jennifer Candy, Ryan Reynolds, Colin Hanks and Christopher Candy on Sept. 4, 2025<\/p>\n Reynolds continued, \u201cHe looks right at the camera and he goes, ‘Do the interview, Bill.’ And I said, ‘Say no to a kid like that, then we’ll know what kind of a monster you are,’ and then I just hung up.\u201d<\/p>\n Luckily, the strategy worked. “He called back and said, ‘What can I do for JC?’ and he showed up big time,” the actor shared.<\/p>\n The Toronto International Film Festival takes place between Sept. 4 and Sept. 14.<\/p>\n![\"Getty](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/7accc872828f3dde581318fd1ac73a56.jpeg\"\/)
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