Ryan Reynolds Pays Tribute to 13-Year-Old 'Deadpool' Fan Who Died of Cancer

Connor McGrath was the very first person to see a rough cut of 'Deadpool.'

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Complex Original

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Connor McGrath, the 13-year-old boy deemed by many as the biggestDeadpool fan in the world, sadly passed away earlier this week after a battle with cancer. Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, who became close with McGrath after a meeting arranged by the Make-A-Wish foundation, took to Facebook on Thursday to pay his respects. McGrath, according to Reynolds, was not only a dedicated Deadpool fan but also a powerful comedic force in his own right.

"In my wildest dreams, I can't imagine how hard this is for his parents Kim and Gerald, along with his extended family in Newfoundland," Reynolds wrote. "Connor was 13. But this kid... He was smart. He was funny. And not just funny 'for a kid' or funny 'for a person battling something awful.' He was unqualified funny. He had that... thing." Reynolds added that Connor possessed a rare trait of which even the most renown entertainer would be envious, praising his "running commentary / observational skills" as truly one of a kind.

Connor was actually the first person to see Deadpool, with Reynolds gifting the teen with a rough cut ahead of its blockbuster debut. "Connor didn't seem to mind," Reynolds wrote of the fact the cut wasn't quite final. "And I'd never felt luckier to get to be Wade Wilson." As for anyone who would actually take some kind of issue with the fact that Reynolds encouraged a teen to peep an R-rated film, he's not having any of that: "Before you jump down my throat for showing a 13 year old an R-Rated film, please know this kid knew more swear words than a British chef."

The Make-A-Wish Foundation promptly responded to Reynolds' moving tribute, thanking the star for his passion:

"Thank you for ... so many things. For this amazing, heartfelt remembrance of Connor. For your unwavering support of our mission. For believing in us and helping us grant wishes. We are so grateful for you, Ryan."

Read Reynolds' full tribute here. Rest in power, Connor. You will be missed.

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