Ryan Reynolds Makes Rare Comment About His and Blake Lively’s Daughter James

Ryan Reynolds is teaching his daughter to fly. 

The Deadpool star shared rare insight into life with his eldest daughter, James—whom he shares with wife Blake Lively—and revealed how fellow Canadian Michael J. Fox inspired a sweet bonding moment with his now 9-year-old.

“Last year I watched Back to the Future with my 8-year-old daughter,” Ryanwrote in a TIME tribute to Michael published April 17. “It’s become her favorite film.”

Despite his daughter’s love for the movie, the 47-year-old has yet to disclose his friendship with the Spin City star. 

“I know how lucky I am to call Mike a friend,” he shared. “She still has no idea that I know him.”

This is surely not for a lack of qualities Ryan admires in Michael, 62, who in addition to acting has championed research into Parkinson’s Disease, which he was diagnosed with in the ‘90s. 

“I don’t need to teach my daughter the level of compassion Mike has mastered,” Ryan explained in his thoughtful message. “Or teach her to tell stories the way Mike tells stories. I need to teach her that it’s OK to fall a lot. It’s the absolute best way to know you’re flying.”