The City of Vancouver has honored actor Ryan Reynolds, a prominent Hollywood star and Vancouver native, with the Freedom of the City award in recognition of his philanthropic endeavors and cultural contributions. The award was presented to Reynolds during a private ceremony on Thursday.
Renowned for his acting roles, particularly as the Marvel Comics’ superhero character in the Deadpool series, Reynolds has demonstrated a strong commitment to giving back to the community. He has actively supported local charities such as Covenant House Vancouver and the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, and generously contributed funds to aid in the aftermath of the 2021 B.C. floods.
Expressing his gratitude in a statement released by the city, Reynolds remarked, “This means the world to me. Vancouver shaped who I am, and I carry it with me in everything I do. To now be part of its history in this way is both humbling and surreal, and I’m deeply grateful to be recognized by the city that gave me my start.”
In addition to the Freedom of the City award, Reynolds has previously been honored with the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada. The Freedom of the City award is reserved for extraordinary cases where an individual has achieved exceptional merit on a national and international scale while also bringing recognition to Vancouver.