Cape Town – In an industry as competitive as showbiz it’s refreshing to see Hollywood heavyweights truly supporting each other.
Not in the superficial "nice guy" way, but rather the wholesome way in which you want to see your friends succeed.
The most recent example of this is a tribute written by Jake Gyllenhaal, 37, to Ryan Reynolds, 41, in the latest issue of Variety.
The publication asked Gyllenhaal to write the piece after Reynolds made their New Power of New York list. The list honours 50 movers and shakers who are changing the face of the five boroughs of New York City.
"I first met Ryan many years ago, and he struck me immediately as quick and warm and thoughtful, a gentleman in an era of foppish putzes, the unlikely love child of Mel Brooks and Dorothy Parker and Gary Cooper. He was also taller than me. Against my wishes, we became close friends," Gyllenhaal starts his letter to the Deadpool star.
He adds: "What we all want for our friends in this business is for the world to see what we see, and as actors, that only happens in a perfect storm of timing and the full luck. After years of waiting and struggling to fit his unfortunate, pear-shaped physique into the skinny jeans of a conventional romantic lead, Ryan made his own luck with Deadpool."
(DOTING DAD: Ryan Reynolds with wife Blake Lively and kids Tammy and Jim. Photo: Splash/Greatstock)
Gyllenhaal goes on to sing his fellow actor’s praises whilst highlighting his inspiring work ethic and “crackerjack wit”.
"But make no mistake about it: For all of the effortlessness that Ryan projects, the man works tirelessly. He writes all night so he can be present for his kids and wife all day (and thanks to Aviation gin, he can pull off the latter)," Gyllenhaal writes.
Reynolds and Gyllenhaal in 2017 entertained online audiences with their blossoming bromance during the press tour for their film Life in which they starred together.