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Ryan Reynolds’ Father James Passes Away: See the Touching Photo, Tribute

Ryan Reynolds and his dad, James Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds' father, James, has died at the age of 74

Ryan Reynolds‘ father, James C. Reynolds, has passed away. The Croods actor posted a touching throwback photo of the father-son duo via Twitter on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Related: PHOTOS: Stars gone too soon

“RIP Pops. James C. Reynolds. 1941-2015,” Ryan, 39, captioned a photo of James holding Ryan as a baby. The star also asked fans to donate and support the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which raises awareness for Parkinson’s disease. (Ryan revealed last year that his dad had been battling the disease for over 20 years.)

The Criminal actor, a new dad himself, was close to his father. In fact, he and wife Blake Lively named their 10-month-old daughter, James, after him.

Related: PHOTOS: Blake's maternity style

Last year, Ryan opened up about his father during an interview with Time magazine. “[He was] the toughest man alive: a former cop, former boxer and full-time landmine. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and in return, you were expected to do what he said, often before he said it,” Ryan said in November 2014.

“In a word, he was scary. Not because he was sadistic or physically abusive. He was scary because he was one of those people with an energetic weight to him.” He teased: “Shifting his weight ever so slightly from one foot to another could transform an otherwise delightful 6th birthday party into what felt like an Irish funeral.”

Related: PHOTOS: Ryan's hotness evolution

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively

Ryan also recalled the moment his father flipped out when the star — 13 at the time — and his three older brothers did something without permission. “I could see he wasn’t just looking at me. His confused eyes darted spastically between all four boys in shock, disbelief and directionless anger,” Reynolds said. “What he was in fact looking at, were four young men, sitting at a dinner table, each, with a freshly pierced ear.”

James is survived by his wife, Tammy Reynolds, and four sons.

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