The Merc With A Big Bag: Ryan Reynolds' Net Worth Breakdown (2024)

Ryan Reynolds and Deadpool: a union so divine, it's as if the gods of comedy and chaos conspired to bring forth the perfect storm of sarcasm, wit, and unadulterated mayhem. If ever an actor was destined to play a role, it's Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth - a match made in entertainment heaven, where irreverent humor and unapologetic awesomeness hold the crown. The fusion of Reynolds' quick wit and Deadpool's degenerate charm has created a cinematic synergy that's left fans hopelessly enthralled and begging for more.

Reynolds first dipped his toes into the entertainment industry in the Canadian teen soap opera Hillside before he landed a string of minor roles that paved the way for his lead role in ABC's Two Guys and a Girl. He proceeded to take on a multitude of characters in different genres, from comedies like National Lampoon's Van Wilder and The Proposal to action flicks such as Blade: Trinity and Green Lantern. Reynolds' career reached new heights with the superhero films Deadpool and Deadpool 2, in which he played the title character.

The former set numerous records at the time of its release for an R-rated comedy, and his performance earned him a nomination for a Golden Globe Award. In July 2024, Reynolds returned as Deadpool in the sequel Deadpool & Wolverine, starring alongside Hugh Jackman. The film merges the Fox X-Men franchise's Deadpool with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, maintaining the R-rating of its predecessors, a first for an MCU film.

Reynolds has starred in over 50 films, which have collectively grossed over $6.75 billion worldwide. His extensive work in the industry, combined with business ventures like owning a stake in Mint Mobile and co-owning Wrexham A.F.C., has contributed to his net worth, estimated at around $350 million as of 2024. Here's how Reynolds transformed himself from a Nickelodeon star to a multi-faceted mogul, leveraging his creative versatility and entrepreneurial mindset to become a highly coveted and bankable star in the entertainment universe.

Acting Career And Deadpool Fame

Ryan Reynolds' acting career began in 1991 when he starred as Billy Simpson in the Canadian teen soap opera Hillside. After a few minor roles, he gained more recognition with the sitcom Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place, which began airing in 1998, playing medical student Michael Bergen. Reynolds' early film career included the comedy National Lampoon's Van Wilder, which grossed $39 million at the box office. He ventured into action with Blade: Trinity, earning $131 million worldwide. In 2009, Reynolds starred in The Proposal opposite Sandra Bullock, a romantic comedy that rocked the box office, earning $314 million worldwide.

That same year, he appeared as Wade Wilson/Weapon XI in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which grossed $375 million. Despite the film's mixed reviews, his portrayal of Deadpool set the stage for future success. Reynolds had long been vocal about his desire to bring Deadpool to the big screen, dating back to 2005. Reynolds brought Green Lantern character Hal Jordan to life in Warner Bros.'s 2011 big-screen adaptation, which debuted in 2011. Although the film performed poorly at the box office, Reynolds' portrayal made him one of the few actors to have headlined films based on both Marvel and DC characters.

He then transitioned to voice acting, starring in two animated DreamWorks features, The Croods and Turbo, both released in 2013. Reynolds struck gold in 2016 with Deadpool, a film that had been in the works since 2000. After playing Wade Wilson/Weapon XI in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, he became deeply invested in creating a solo vehicle for the quick-witted anti-hero. Deadpool presented a revamped iteration of the character, disregarding the narrative of X-Men Origins: Wolverine and introducing a fresh origin story that aligned more closely with the Marvel Comics canon.

The movie exists within the broader 20th Century Fox X-Men cinematic universe, made feasible by the timeline reset in X-Men: Days of Future Past. Deadpool shattered numerous box-office records, including a global weekend debut of $264.9 million, the highest of 2016 and the largest for an R-rated film. Its phenomenal success paved the way for the sequel, Deadpool 2, released in June 2017. He also appeared in the sci-fi thriller Life and the action-comedy 6 Underground, with the latter earning significant viewership on Netflix.

In 2021, Ryan Reynolds headlined three major films. First, he returned in Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, an action-comedy sequel to the 2017 hit The Hitman's Bodyguard. This film, featuring Reynolds alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Salma Hayek, grossed over $183 million worldwide. Next, Reynolds starred in the sci-fi action-comedy Free Guy, directed by Shawn Levy, with whom he reteamed for Deadpool and Wolverine three years later. Finally, Reynolds joined forces with Dwayne Johnson and Gal Gadot in Netflix's thrilling blockbuster Red Notice.

In July 2024, Reynolds reprised his role as Deadpool in the follow-up film Deadpool & Wolverine, co-starring with Hugh Jackman. The movie integrates the Fox X-Men franchise's Deadpool with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, retaining the R-rating of its predecessors. With over 50 films to his credit, Reynolds' movies have collectively grossed over $6.75 billion worldwide in global box office receipts.

Ryan Reynolds’ Movie Salaries

Reynolds is far from being reliant solely on big-budget paydays; however, he has received a steady stream of compensation since entering the entertainment industry. Early in his career, Reynolds' earnings were modest, but his paychecks grew substantially with his rising fame. Initially, he had to make sacrifices for passion projects like the original Deadpool, reportedly earning a meager $2 million upfront.

However, the film's sweeping success at the box office, grossing $780 million worldwide, ultimately netted him around $22 million due to backend deals, making him the 15th highest-paid actor on Forbes’ list in 2017. For the sequel, Deadpool 2, Reynolds negotiated a $20 million base salary and earned additional backend points, bringing his total earnings to an estimated $30-40 million. Sources suggest that Reynolds was paid around $20 million for Deadpool 3 (Deadpool & Wolverine), with the potential to rake in even more if the film proves to be a commercial success - a likely outcome, considering the film's electrifying buzz.

Reynolds' production credits on films like Free Guy, which he also starred in, further amplify his earning potential, as he receives a percentage of the film's profits on top of his standard acting fee. While his exact payment for Free Guy is unknown, it is believed that the Grammy Awards-nominated actor received his typical $20 million fee and a share of the profits.

That same year, he appeared in Netflix's Red Notice, for which he reportedly earned $20 million. Reynolds' partnership with Netflix also included a payment of $27 million for 6 Underground. His consistent $20 million per film rate, supercharged with profit-sharing deals, has substantially turbocharged his net worth, making him one of the highest-paid actors in the industry.

Maximum Effort

Ryan Reynolds founded Maximum Effort in 2018, a production and marketing company that quickly gained recognition for its innovative and humorous advertising. The company signed a three-year first-look deal with Fox, producing content that electrified audiences and redefined advertising.

Maximum Effort's marketing division was later spun off as a separate entity and acquired by MNTN Software in 2021, with Reynolds continuing to drive its creative vision. The company is known for creating viral ads for various brands, including Peloton and R.M. Williams, highlighting Reynolds' knack for blending entertainment with marketing.

In 2022, Reynolds expanded his influence by taking an equity stake in FuboTV, valued at $10 million, and announced a co-production partnership. This deal included the launch of the Maximum Effort Network on FuboTV, where Reynolds and his team produce original content.

Aviation American Gin

In February 2018, Ryan Reynolds acquired a minority ownership stake in Aviation American Gin, an Oregon-based brand. Reynolds not only invested in the company but also became its spokesman and creative director. His witty and creative marketing campaigns propelled Aviation Gin into the mainstream, making Aviation American Gin one of the fastest-growing brands in the premium gin market.

Reynolds' efforts paid off in August 2020 when Diageo LLC purchased Aviation Gin and its parent company, Davos Brands, for up to $610 million. The deal included an upfront payment of $335 million, with the remainder contingent on performance milestones over the next decade. Reynolds' stake in the company, estimated at around 20%, likely earned him approximately $67 million from the initial sale and could bring in an additional $55 million from future payouts.

Ryan Reynold Bought Wrexham FC For $2.5 million

In a move that left both the sports and entertainment worlds in shock, Ryan Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney acquired the struggling Welsh football club Wrexham AFC in 2020 for $2.5 million. The club, which was in the fifth division of English soccer at the time, had seen better days.

Reynolds and McElhenney's investment aimed to revitalize the team and its infrastructure. They committed to substantial improvements, including stadium upgrades and community projects, highlighting their dedication to the club's success. The duo's foray into football ownership was documented in the TV series Welcome to Wrexham, which provided a behind-the-scenes look at their efforts.

The series received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program. The investment paid off in April 2023 when Wrexham AFC won the National League championship, securing promotion to League Two and marking the club's return to the English Football League after 15 years.

Reynolds Owns 25% Of Mint Mobile

In 2019, the Canadian showrunner acquired a 25% ownership stake in Mint Mobile, a low-cost prepaid mobile phone service provider. Leveraging his marketing expertise and charisma, Reynolds starred in a series of commercials that further elevated the brand's profile. His unique marketing approach helped Mint Mobile stand out in a competitive market.

In March 2023, T-Mobile announced its acquisition of Mint Mobile in a deal valued at $1.35 billion in cash and stock. Given Reynolds' 25% stake, his earnings from this transaction were substantial, reportedly over $335 million in cash and stocks. The cash portion of the deal alone was approximately $131 million.

Philanthropy

Ryan Reynolds is well-known for his philanthropic efforts, consistently using his fame and fortune to support various causes. In 2020, he and his wife, Blake Lively, donated $1 million to food banks across America and Canada in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to combat food insecurity during a critical time.

Reynolds has also been actively involved with the SickKids Foundation, making significant contributions and participating in fundraising campaigns to support children's health. In 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Reynolds and Lively pledged to match up to $1 million in donations to aid Ukrainian refugees, demonstrating their commitment to global humanitarian causes. Additionally, the couple donated $500,000 to Water First, an organization dedicated to providing clean water to Indigenous communities in Canada.