Ryan Reynolds is probably best known as an actor, having starred in various Hollywood movies, including Deadpool, X-Men Origins, Spirited, Definitely Maybe, and The Proposal. In 2023, he tied with Matt Damon as Hollywood's fifth highest-paid actor, according to Forbes. However, Reynolds' on-screen performances are not his only source of income.
In recent years, he has proven himself to be a natural entrepreneur, investing in various businesses, including an alcohol brand, a football club, and an advertising agency.
As of 2024, the companies co-owned or sold by Reynolds are collectively valued at $14 billion. Here's a rundown of his most significant business achievements.
1. Wrexham AFC
(Image Credit: Shutterstock/Luke Broughton)
In November 2020, Ryan Reynolds and fellow Hollywood actor Rob McElhenney bought Welsh football club Wrexham AFC for around $2.5 million.
Wrexham AFC is the third-oldest professional football club in the world, but it had languished in the fifth tier of the English game for some time. "Together with the players, the staff, the fans, and the local community, we can now pursue our goal to grow the team and return it to the EFL in front of increased attendance and in an improved stadium while making a positive difference to the wider community in Wrexham," Reynolds said following the acquisition. Earlier this year, the club secured a promotion to EFL League One.
Reynolds and McElhenney, who plan to quadruple the stadium's seating capacity in the coming years, have already given the North Wales region a "£1bn boost" and attracted a global fanbase. The club's heartwarming underdog story is chronicled in the Disney+ sports documentary Welcome to Wrexham.
2. Mint Mobile
In 2019, Reynolds purchased a 25% stake in prepaid wireless brand Mint Mobile. He first discovered the company after getting to know its founder, David Glickman, after working with him for a Parkinson's disease research foundation. Since then, the actor has appeared in various Mint Mobile marketing campaigns, helping grow its revenue by nearly 50,000% over three years.
T-Mobile acquired the company for $1.3 billion in May 2024, with Reynolds expected to take a cut of at least $300 million. Reynolds will continue in his creative role as a spokesman for Mint, ensuring that the brand retains its distinct appeal. "Mint Mobile is the best deal in wireless and today's news only enhances our ability to deliver for our customers," Reynolds said.
3. Maximum Effort
According to its website, Maximum Effort makes movies, TV series, content, ads, and cocktails for the personal amusement of Hollywood Star Ryan Reynolds. "We occasionally release them to the general public," it adds.
Reynolds founded the film production company and digital marketing agency with George Dewey in 2018. Over the past few years, it has produced various movies and TV series, as well as developed ads for several of Reynolds' brands.
In June 2021, advertising software company MNTN acquired Maximum Effort's marketing arm, appointing Reynolds as its Chief Creative Officer and George Dewey as its Chief Brand Officer. Maximum Effort Marketing now operates as an agency within MNTN.
4. Alpine F1
In 2023, Reynolds joined a group of investors to acquire 24% of the Formula 1 (F1) team, Alpine.
MNTN partnered with Alpine late last year, and its logo was featured on the team's F1 cars for several key races. "A few years ago, if you had said I'd be bringing together my performance marketing software firm and Alpine F1 Team, I would have told you to get out of my living room—after asking you to explain what some of those words meant," Reynolds said.
5. Aviation American Gin
(Image Credit: Shutterstock/Daniel Muresan)
In 2018, Reynolds purchased an ownership stake in craft distiller Aviation Gin. "About a year ago, I tried Aviation for the first time," he told Forbes at the time. "Since that day, I've spent my time finding some way to infiltrate the company." Reynolds took a seat on the board and assumed the role of Creative Director, quickly becoming the face of the brand.
Distiller Christian Krogstad and bartender Ryan Magarian founded the Aviation Gin brand at House Spirits Distillery before it was acquired by alcohol conglomerate Davos Brands in 2016. In 2020, Diageo acquired the brand in a $610 million deal.
Reynolds retains an ongoing ownership stake in Aviation Gin and participates in many of the brand's advertising campaigns.
6. Wealthsimple
Wealthsimple is a Canadian online investment management service, founded in 2014. In 2021, the company raised $750 million from a group of 15 venture capital investment firms and six celebrities, including Reynolds, rapper Drake, NBA players Kelly Olynyk and Dwight Powell, and actor Michael J. Fox.
7. Nuvei
Nuvei is a Canadian financial technology company that serves Fortune 500 clients across the globe and processes more than $200 billion in payment transactions every year.
Reynolds invested in the company in April 2023, acquiring an undisclosed stake. Nuvei commented that Reynolds would be "involved in elevating the Nuvei brand as a world-class storyteller." Shortly after, he starred in a short promotional video in which he poked fun at the CEOs of American tech companies.
"American tech companies have been getting all the attention," said Reynolds. "It's Canada's time."
Additional Business Investments
Reynolds has invested in password manager 1Password and HOMAGE, a sports and licensed apparel company.
Earlier this year, Variety reported that Reynolds and McElhenney had purchased a stake in Mexican soccer club Club Necaxa. It's expected that the pair will work alongside fellow owner Eva Longoria to enhance the club's standing.
(Image Credit: Shutterstock/lev radin)
Earlier this year, Variety reported that Reynolds and McElhenney had purchased a stake in Mexican soccer club Club Necaxa. It's expected that the pair will work alongside fellow owner Eva Longoria to enhance the club's standing.
(Image Credit: Shutterstock/lev radin)