Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman used their Hollywood "bromance" to normalize discussing mental health in a recent appearance.
Vancouver-born Reynolds shared a video on Instagram early Thursday, May 30 of a discussion he had with a close friend, Jackman, about the struggles he's faced with anxiety.
Jackman (The Greatest Showman, Logan, Van Helsing) applauded Reynold's forthcoming vulnerability with his struggles, noting that many people mentioned his impact on them.
"People come up to me talking about you and I say, 'Shut up, I'm not interested,' but they keep talking about you," he quipped, noting that many of them mention how they can talk to their loved ones about their struggles.
Reynolds says fatherhood and his work show him how anxiety is a blessing
Now that he's a father, Reynolds said he's happy he has anxiety.
"Now I love that I have anxiety. Because now when I see my kids experiencing some of that, which is probably genetic, I know how to address it in a way that is compassionate," he said.
"I know how to address it in a way that actually allows them to feel seen in that anxiety."
Reynolds said his anxiety also benefits his work because he's always thinking of future possibilities that create an "ecosystem of awareness." He considers how the audience might react to a particular scene and can adjust accordingly.
"I'm not just shooting a movie. I'm sitting in the audience," he explained.
The Deadpool star added that men often have difficulty expressing their feelings, particularly ones that might make them appear weak. He mentioned that his friend, actor Shawn Levy, told him that people tend only to mention their wins and how important it is to talk about losses.
Jackman and Reynolds's bromance goes back numerous years. The charismatic duo shared a video showcasing highlights from their friendship on Instagram in 2022.
