Although Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit drama has simmered down a bit, Ryan Reynolds is back in tabloids, again. But this time, it’s not for his movie or his involvement in the legal drama. Instead, it’s for his tone deaf humor, during a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, to promote his new documentary, John Candy: I Like Me.
While sharing a story about meeting two Hollywood legends, Johnny Cash and Johnny Carson, Reynolds joked that both men passed away soon after he met them, implying he might have “caused that”. Though said in a lighthearted way, many viewers found the comment unsettling and insensitive, especially since it involved real deaths.
I crossed paths, no joke, in an elevator in one week with Johnny Carson and Johnny Cash… and I don’t know. They both passed shortly after. I may have caused that. I don’t know. If there was a third, I would maybe ask some follow-up.
Seth Meyers tried to keep the mood light by joking back, saying that people call Reynolds “the reaper of the elevator”, but fans online weren’t as forgiving. So, while Ryan Reynolds is known for his quick wit and sarcasm, this time, his dark humor may have gone too far for some audiences.
Ryan Reynolds’ Dark Humor Left Fans Upset, Sparking Online Backlash
Ryan Reynolds has always been known for his funny and sarcastic personality, but this time, his humor didn’t land well. Following his comments on Late Night with Seth Meyers, people immediately started calling out the actor for his uncomfortable joke. Taking to social media, people reacted that the joke was simply insensitive.
Some felt that Reynolds should have shown more respect, especially since both Johnny Cash and Johnny Carson were beloved figures in entertainment history. Others argued that the actor’s dark humor is going out of control. Overall, fans pointed out that there’s a fine line between being funny and being disrespectful.
can we just cancel him or something already https://t.co/67ohmajBoW
He’s not funny. One of Canada’s worst exports.
He's so annoying. https://t.co/Zml8Q8s2Sr
https://t.co/WeUhPfiwga pic.twitter.com/cUnwAHfm66
The backlash grew online as people debated whether Ryan Reynolds’ humor is becoming too harsh or inappropriate. While some defended him, saying he was clearly joking, others said it felt “tone-deaf” and “unnecessary.” It’s not the first time Reynolds’ jokes have raised eyebrows, but this particular moment touched a sensitive subject for many.
Ryan Reynolds Recently Faced Criticism for Dismissing a Child Reporter at TIFF
Meanwhile, prior to these controversial comments, Ryan Reynolds was already facing another wave of criticism. During the Toronto International Film Festival, a video of Reynolds talking to a child reporter named Liam went viral for all the wrong reasons. While the actor seemed to keep things lighthearted, many viewers found his behavior condescending.
In the clip, the young reporter politely said hello, but Reynolds interrupted with, “Hi, what’s the question?” and then once again added, “Let’s skip to the question.” While the actor seemed to be joking, many viewers found it rude, especially since Liam was a child reporter and was clearly trying to be respectful.
#RyanReynolds on the #TIFF50 red carpet for the film ‘John Candy: I Like Me’ 🤩 #TIFF pic.twitter.com/Grs8sIZt7z
Fans online shared mixed reactions. Some said it was just Reynolds’ usual sense of humor, while others felt it was dismissive. The actor did try to joke later in the conversation, even pretending he would send a “strongly worded letter” about the boy’s funny question on breakfast food, but the moment had already left some fans disappointed.
This incident happened as Reynolds’ wife, Blake Lively, tackles a legal dispute with director Justin Baldoni, which already has the couple under public scrutiny. Fans noted that Ryan Reynolds might be feeling extra pressure due to the ongoing attention, but many still felt it didn’t excuse his behavior.
Do you think Ryan Reynolds’ comments on Johnny Carson and Johnny Cash were tone deaf? Let us know in the comments.
