Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds has found himself at the receiving end of some unexpectedly frank criticism from lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart. The entertaining exchange resulted in playful banter online, proving that even A-listers aren't immune to neighborly call outs. Here's how it happened.
Martha Stewart's Stirs the Pot
During her appearance on Bilt Rewards' Rent Free game show, Stewart had some words for her famous neighbor. When asked about celebrities who are fun to hang out with, the 83-year-old lifestyle guru took aim at Reynolds' reputation as Hollywood's resident funnyman. "He's not so funny in real life," Stewart said, adding that the actor is "very serious" off-screen. She even suggested removing Reynolds from the list of most entertaining celebrities, preferring to replace him with George Clooney (Is that debatable, though?).
The media mogul acknowledged the potential awkwardness of her comments, given their proximity as neighbors, but doubled down on her assessment. "He's a good actor," Stewart conceded. "He can act funny, but he isn't funny. Maybe he can get to be funny again." Yeah, ouch.
Reynolds' Witty Comeback
True to his reputation for quick-witted responses, Ryan Reynolds didn't let Stewart's comments slide. The actor took to social media with a characteristically humorous reply that may just prove his comedic prowess. "I'd disagree with her," Reynolds wrote on X. "But I tried that once. The woman is unexpectedly spry. She really closed the gap after a mile or so."
The exchange eventually caught the attention of Reynolds' collaborator and friendly rival, Hugh Jackman, who couldn't resist joining the celebrity feud. "Finally someone says it," Jackman quipped in response to Reynolds' post, adding another layer to their ongoing playful rivalry.
A History of Neighborly Relations
For newcomers in the pop culture scene, the interaction between Reynolds and Stewart isn't coming out of nowhere. The lifestyle guru has been neighbors with Reynolds and his wife, Blake Lively, since 2012, when the couple purchased a $2 million home near Stewart's 153-acre farm in Bedford, New York. Despite moving homes since then, they've maintained their status as neighbors.
Their relationship hasn't always been contentious. In fact, Stewart has previously hosted the couple for various occasions, including Easter celebrations with their family. During a 2014 interview, Blake Lively even joked that Stewart was "the only woman that could creep up on my man, that I would be okay with," referring to Stewart's promise to go motorcycle riding with Reynolds.
Reynolds has had an extensive history of public humor, most notably displayed in his Deadpool performances and his ongoing social media banter with various celebrities. This latest exchange is just another one of them, and we loved it. Whether or not Stewart finds him funny in person, Reynolds' response to her comments seems to have entertained just about everyone else.