Summary
- Ryan Reynolds began his Hollywood journey as a troubled teen on
Fifteen
, a Canadian teen drama that made its way to Nickelodeon. - Despite despising his role at the time,
Fifteen
was a crucial stepping stone for Reynolds’ successful career in the industry. - Reynolds’ first acting paycheck was $150 per episode, leading him to briefly consider leaving acting before returning with
Ordinary Magic
.
As a fan and admirer of Ryan Reynolds’ incredible career trajectory, I can’t help but reflect on the role that his early days in Fifteen played in shaping the man he is today. While it may have been a challenging experience for him at the time, it served as an essential stepping stone towards stardom.
Ryan Reynolds has been a consistent and financially successful presence in Hollywood for more than three decades. Just like many other prominent figures, he started his career as a child actor, but it wasn’t until the mid to late 2000s that he truly became a superstar. What sets Reynolds apart, however, is the unusual starting point of his acting journey and his current thoughts about that early role in television.
1991 marked Reynolds’ debut in television through the Canadian teen drama “Hillside” on YTV. In the U.S., the show was known as “Fifteen” by Nickelodeon. Reynolds portrayed the character Billy Simpson, a troubled youth who resorted to bullying others due to his own insecurities. This role served as a stepping stone for him, leading to film opportunities that came his way later on. Similar to many other stars, Reynolds didn’t always cherish his early acting experiences, including his time as a child actor. Here’s what we know about the road to Reynolds’ Hollywood success.
Ryan Reynolds’ Role in Fifteen
15, originally titled Hillside, made its debut on Canada’s YTV in the year 1991. This teen drama revolved around the students of Hillside School, exploring topics like friendship, romance, family struggles, and substance abuse. A significant portion of the narrative unfolded within the school, with minimal adult oversight. Indeed, it was very much a product of the ’90s. During its run in Canada, Nickelodeon secured it for distribution across the US, renaming it Fifteen. Given its mature themes, Fifteen stood out as an anomaly on the usually family-friendly Nickelodeon. It was one of the network’s rare drama/soap opera series. Over four seasons and 65 episodes, Fifteen aired before concluding in 1993.
In the show “Fifteen”, which is streaming on Prime Video (with just the first season accessible so far), Ryan plays Billy Simpson, the younger brother of Courtney Simpson. Billy, easily influenced, often spends time with the school’s rebel, Dylan Blackwell, wanting to emulate him. As the story unfolds, Billy and Courtney’s parents separate, causing a rift between the siblings. This family turmoil, combined with troubles at school, leads Billy to resort to bullying as a way to conceal his true emotions. It takes Dylan stepping in to make Billy realize his mistake and stop bullying entirely.
A Less Than Ideal Acting Start for Reynolds
Looking back on Fifteen, a teen drama I did three decades ago, I can’t help but smile at the memories. If it hadn’t been for that show, I might never have had my big break in Hollywood. After wrapping up the series, I found myself landing roles in Canadian productions like Ordinary Magic and The Odyssey. My journey didn’t stop there; I made a seamless transition to mainstream US television with guest appearances on shows like The X-Files, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and In Cold Blood.
Despite the fact that Reynolds’ career skyrocketed following his role in Fifteen, you might expect him to cherish it due to its role in launching his larger projects. However, quite the opposite is accurate – Reynolds despised the show so profoundly that he nearly abandoned acting altogether because of it. During an interview on Live with Kelly and Michael in 2016, they played a clip from the series. Upon seeing the surviving footage, Reynolds expressed shock and shared how the series didn’t provide much financial stability, as reported by CNBC.
Reflecting back on my past, I recall a time when juggling multiple responsibilities was the norm for me. Each day began with the sunrise, and I’d be out delivering newspapers as part of my paper route. The crisp morning air filled my lungs while I pedaled my bike through the quiet streets, ensuring every household received their daily news.
Reynolds confessed that the show was not his issue per se, but rather it was the fact that it marked his debut role, which happened at a challenging point in his personal life. He disliked being a child star and found it difficult to cope with. After taking some time off, he re-emerged in 1993 with “Ordinary Magic.” This break gave him an opportunity to gather real-world experiences and steer clear of the tumultuous journey often faced by other young actors.
Initially, I strongly disliked the idea of acting. Following this, I found myself employed in a warehouse and worked at a restaurant for two years. Interestingly enough, I’ve come to appreciate that experience. I’m grateful for it because it prevented me from becoming another tragic example of a child actor struggling with substance abuse issues.
Despite Reynolds possibly not viewing Fifteen favorably, it served as a foundation for the prosperity that followed. If he had quit after that little-known Nickelodeon show, the three-decade career of one of Hollywood’s most shining stars might never have been realized. Transforming from earning $150 per episode on Fifteen to shattering box office records as a Marvel Cinematic Universe leading man certainly represents an impressive transformation. Beginning as a Nickelodeon actor isn’t so awful, considering it worked out quite well for Ariana Grande, Kenan Thompson, Austin Butler, Melissa Joan Hart, Emma Roberts, and Nick Cannon, among others.
Regardless, it was the Fifteen series that launched Ryan Reynolds’ acting career, and he wouldn’t have reached his current success without it. It’s high time for Fifteen to receive the recognition it deserves. If online streaming viewership continues to grow, perhaps we’ll finally get a full release of the series and have the chance to watch young Ryan refine his skills. You can catch Fifteen on Amazon Prime Video. Right now, Deadpool and Wolverine, featuring Reynolds alongside Hugh Jackman, are playing in theaters.
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2024-08-07 05:06