Ryan Reynolds Pens Incredibly Moving Tribute to Friend Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox, Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds' short yet impactful message about his dear friend Michael J. Fox for TIME magazine has fans emotional as many connected with his earnest words about the Back to the Future actor.

Fox was honored as one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2024 and Reynolds provided the publication with a special introduction of the star, sharing it with his fans on Instagram as he said, "This man means a lot to me. And I know he means a lot to many of you…"

"I know Michael J. Fox. Like, I know him pretty damn well. He’s funny. He’s warm. He’s handsome and intensely smart," the tribute began. "He also falls a lot. Not just because he has Parkinson’s. He falls a lot because he’s unafraid to fly."

Reynolds went on to talk about their 17-year-long friendship and how Fox raised "the bar for purpose and passion." He called him "the greatest champion of Parkinson’s research on the planet" and "a movie star who shaped the lives of people all over the planet with a uniquely electric wit and self-aware charm," before declaring, "He’s the sum of these beautiful parts. And so many more."

The Deadpool actor went on to describe how his 8-year-old daughter recently watched Back to the Future and loves it, and that, through Fox's impact on him and many others, he will "teach her that it’s OK to fall a lot. It’s the absolute best way to know you’re flying."

Fans of Reynolds and Fox were touched by the former's elegant words about his close friend, with notes like, "Reading that made my eyes leak just a little. Beautiful words, straight from your soul about a truly beautiful man," and "We all see what you see too. ??????."

One fan particularly connected to the line, "He falls a lot because he's unafraid to fly," commenting about it and adding, "?????? I'm not crying, you're crying."

In response to the touching tribute, Fox also shared a sweet message about Reynolds, telling his friend in a comment, "With friends like @vancityreynolds it’s easier to accomplish anything. Thanks buddy ??." Reynolds, who lost his father to Parkinson's disease, has been a part of Fox's charity work for years, joining the board of The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2009.

Next: Michael J. Fox Teases Major Acting Career Update Amid Retirement