Ryan Reynolds has shared a deeply personal and touching tribute in the latest “Deadpool & Wolverine” film, honoring the memory of his co-star Rob Delaney’s late son, Henry. The 47-year-old actor recently took to social media to reveal that the movie is dedicated to Henry, who tragically passed away in 2018 at just 2 years old after a battle with cancer. This tribute, seen in the film’s end credits, carries a profound meaning for both Reynolds and Delaney, reflecting the bond they share and the deep respect Reynolds has for his friend and fellow actor.
A Tribute with Deep Significance
Reynolds explained in an Instagram post that if viewers stay through the credits of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” they will notice the dedication, “For Henry Delaney.” This small yet powerful gesture serves as a tribute to the little boy who left a significant impact on all who knew him, especially his father, Rob Delaney. Henry’s passing was a heartbreaking event, and this tribute is Reynolds’ way of honoring his friend’s profound loss and ensuring that Henry’s memory is preserved in a film seen by millions.
Delaney, who portrayed Wade’s friend Peter—affectionately known as Sugarbear—in the second “Deadpool” film, has been a close collaborator and friend of Reynolds. Reynolds expressed that Delaney is much more than just a funny man; he described him as “one of the most subversively funny people I know,” and praised him for being a “beautiful, acerbic, and vulnerable writer.” These words highlight not only Delaney’s professional talents but also his personal strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable grief.
Regret and Redemption: Reynolds’ Reflection on “Deadpool 2”
In his heartfelt post, Reynolds admitted that he has long regretted not including a tribute to Henry in the credits of “Deadpool 2,” which was filmed around the time of Henry’s illness and passing. He shared that this omission has been a source of self-reproach, stating, “I’ve always kicked my own ass because I didn’t place a tribute to Henry over the end credits of DP2.” The decision to include the tribute in the latest film can be seen as a form of redemption for Reynolds, a way to rectify what he considers a missed opportunity to honor Henry’s memory at that time.
The inclusion of Henry’s name in “Deadpool & Wolverine” is not just a simple credit—it is a powerful statement of love and remembrance. For Reynolds, this was an opportunity to finally do what he wished he had done years ago, and to share Henry’s story with a global audience. He noted, “If there’s a bright side, even more people are seeing Henry’s name in the credits of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine.’” This act of acknowledgment ensures that Henry’s name will be remembered by millions, making his story a part of a much larger narrative.
The Heartbreaking Story of Henry Delaney
Henry Delaney’s life was tragically short, but his story is one that resonates with many. In 2016, when Henry was just over a year old, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The news was devastating for Rob Delaney and his family. Despite undergoing surgery to remove the tumor in 2017, the cancer returned with a vengeance, and Henry passed away on Delaney’s birthday in January 2018. The loss was a crushing blow to the family, and the grief that followed was profound and all-encompassing.
Henry’s story is not just about illness and loss, but also about the love and strength of a family facing the unthinkable. Rob Delaney has been incredibly open about his grief, sharing his journey with the public in a way that is both raw and honest. This openness has allowed others who have experienced similar losses to feel less alone, as Delaney has articulated feelings that are often difficult to express. His candidness about his son’s illness and death has made him a powerful voice in the conversation about grief, particularly when it comes to the loss of a child.
“A Heart That Works”: Delaney’s Journey Through Grief
In 2022, Delaney channeled his grief into writing, publishing a memoir titled “A Heart That Works.” The book is a deeply personal account of his experiences, detailing the pain, anger, and love that have defined his life since Henry’s death. Reynolds highlighted the significance of this memoir in his Instagram post, describing it as an “incredible piece of writing” that explores the “kaleidoscopic colors of emotion” that emerged after Henry’s passing.
“A Heart That Works” is not just a book about grief; it is a book about the human experience, about the ways in which we cope with loss, and about the love that endures even after a loved one is gone. Delaney’s writing is unflinchingly honest, filled with the rage, sadness, and even humor that have characterized his journey. Reynolds’ praise of the memoir underscores the importance of Delaney’s voice in the broader conversation about grief and loss. He noted that Delaney’s perspective is “vivid” and that the book offers an “unfiltered, rage-ful, loving, sad, and hilarious (yes, HILARIOUS)” look at grief.
The Power of Humor in the Face of Tragedy
One of the most striking aspects of Delaney’s memoir, and of his public appearances since Henry’s death, is the way he uses humor to cope with his grief. During an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in 2022, Delaney spoke candidly about the anger he felt while writing the book. He admitted that he initially wanted to use the book as a way to “hurt people,” to make them feel the same pain he was feeling. He said, “I want to pummel people. Somebody went to the bookstore for entertainment? Well, they deserve to be punished by my book about my sadness and my anger.”
However, as he continued writing, Delaney’s perspective began to shift. The book, which started as an outlet for his anger, gradually became more about love. This transformation in his writing mirrors the evolution of his grief, from a place of deep pain and anger to a place where love and memory take center stage. Delaney’s ability to find humor in the midst of such profound sorrow is a testament to his resilience and his commitment to living fully, even in the face of unimaginable loss.
Delaney’s Ongoing Journey with Grief
Since the publication of “A Heart That Works,” Delaney has continued to be an outspoken advocate for those who are grieving. He regularly shares his thoughts and feelings about Henry on social media, providing comfort and solidarity to others who are navigating similar experiences. In January, on the sixth anniversary of Henry’s death, Delaney shared a poignant post on Instagram, reflecting on the time that has passed since his son’s death. He wrote, “6 years ago today the little guy looking at us from the box was getting ready to die. He had a little less than a week left.”
In this post, Delaney also acknowledged the overwhelming number of messages he has received from other bereaved parents and siblings since writing his book. He expressed his regret that he cannot reply to all of them, citing both the demands of his daily life with his living children and wife, and the emotional toll that engaging with such profound grief on a constant basis would take. He wrote, “Meaningfully engaging with the massive emotions surrounding children’s deaths all the time would probably kill me.”
Despite the difficulty of reliving his grief, Delaney emphasized the importance of remembering and honoring Henry’s memory. He encouraged other bereaved parents to continue speaking about their lost children, writing their names, and sharing their stories. He concluded his post by saying, “You love them. And they love you. Finally, I wrote a book about grief but it didn’t make me an expert. Just another meatball trudging along, making between 8-12 mistakes each day.”
A Legacy of Love and Remembrance
The tribute to Henry Delaney in the credits of “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a powerful reminder of the love that remains even after a loved one is gone. For Ryan Reynolds, this tribute is a way to honor his friend Rob Delaney and to ensure that Henry’s memory is preserved in a way that reaches millions. For Rob Delaney, the tribute is a continuation of his journey of grief, a way to keep Henry’s memory alive and to share his story with the world.
Henry’s legacy is one of love, resilience, and the importance of remembering those we have lost. Through his memoir, his public appearances, and now this tribute in a major film, Rob Delaney has ensured that Henry’s story will not be forgotten. The inclusion of Henry’s name in “Deadpool & Wolverine” is more than just a credit—it is a testament to the enduring love between a father and his son, and a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable loss, there is still a place for love, memory, and hope.
