Ryan Reynolds‘ early acting career was shaped by his childhood role on the Canadian teen drama Fifteen, filmed during the early 1990s, an experience that almost led him to leave the industry. Reynolds’ time portraying Billy Simpson at Hillside School highlights the complicated journey of young actors, as well as the realities facing teens onscreen and off.
Ryan Reynolds’ Start on Teenage Drama in Canada
Before becoming a household name in Hollywood, Ryan Reynolds gained his first significant acting experience on Fifteen, known in Canada as Hillside, which aired between 1991 and 1993. The series followed a diverse group of students at the fictional Hillside School, focusing on themes like academic pressure, broken families, friendship challenges, and the unpredictable highs and lows of adolescence. Laura Harris played Ashley Frasier, a high-achieving student crushed by expectations, while Todd Talbot’s Matt Walker grappled with fitting in among his athletic peers as he faced substance abuse.
Like many high school dramas, Fifteen featured its share of rivalries. Robyn Ross appeared as Brooke Morgan, the queen bee determined to break up Ashley and Matt, accompanied by her loyal friend Kelly, played by Enuka Okuma. Serving as a peacekeeper was Jake Desodade, brought to life by Ken Angel, always ready to mediate when tempers flared. Amidst these intersecting lives, Ryan Reynolds stepped into his first regular television role as Billy Simpson, a sensitive underclassman.
Portraying Billy Simpson: A Departure from Reynolds’ Later Roles
Reynolds’ depiction of Billy Simpson in Fifteen stands in stark contrast to the fast-talking, sharp-edged persona he later brought to the big screen as Deadpool. On the series, Billy was the younger brother to Courtney Simpson, Ashley’s loyal confidant, portrayed by Sarah Douglas. The storyline explored their family upheaval, as Billy and Courtney’s parents separated, forcing each sibling to cope with the changes in distinctive ways.
While Courtney received emotional support from friends like Matt, Ashley, and Jake, Billy struggled to find his footing, facing loneliness as he remained with their father when Courtney went to live with their mother. This element of Billy’s journey—adapting to a new family structure and the sense of being left behind—highlighted the challenges many teens experience during divorce. Reynolds’ Billy was often left to manage difficult emotions alone, sparking the beginnings of unhealthy behavior as he struggled without a reliable support network.
Relief came in the form of friendships Billy forged during those turbulent years. Chris William Martin played Dylan Blackwell, a rebellious older student with a fondness for music, who welcomed Billy into his circle. Billy looked up to Dylan, adopting his style and finding solace in their afternoons playing music in a garage. He also befriended Olaf, Aubrey Nealon’s outcast Finnish transfer student with a passion for chess, another outsider who became an unexpected companion. In finding kinship with these new friends, Billy started figuring out who he was and how to navigate the world around him.
The Emotional Toll of Teen Stardom and Reynolds’ Break from Acting
The evolution of Billy Simpson over the span of the series offered a rare, honest look at adolescent turmoil—particularly for youth uprooted by divorce. While Reynolds’ performance may appear melodramatic to a modern audience, it captured the raw vulnerability of teens encountering adult problems. Billy’s longing for positive mentorship was clear in his relationship with Dylan, underscoring how young people seek guidance outside the home when familial fractures occur. When Billy’s pain surfaced in anger or bullying, it was a reflection of unresolved hurt, which even his new friends could not always mitigate.
Despite the insight and experience the role provided, Reynolds was not captivated by his early brush with fame. His involvement in Fifteen was driven more by a desire for independence and a modest paycheck than a deep calling for the craft. After the series concluded, Reynolds moved away from acting, taking on work in a warehouse and even helping launch a restaurant. These years away from the spotlight, he later shared, were essential, helping him avoid the negative patterns that sometimes affect former child actors, such as substance abuse. The experience allowed him time to refine his perspective before he returned to the industry in earnest.
A Return to Acting and the Path to Stardom
Ryan Reynolds’ hiatus from acting did not last indefinitely. After briefly attending college, he made a bold move at age nineteen, relocating to Los Angeles. This decision placed him at the heart of the entertainment industry, where he gradually secured supporting roles and matured both professionally and personally. Growing from a young actor unsure about the business to a confident, leading man, Reynolds eventually broke out in Hollywood with his signature blend of wit, intensity, and empathy—traits hinted at during his earliest days playing Billy Simpson. His journey reflects the winding, often challenging road from child star to celebrated actor.
Ryan Reynolds’ early acting career on Fifteen stands as a testament to the intensity and unpredictability of child stardom. The experience nearly persuaded him to abandon acting for good, yet it ultimately set the foundation for his growth into one of Hollywood’s most recognized performers. By navigating his own formative years amid peers like Laura Harris, Todd Talbot, Enuka Okuma, Ken Angel, Robyn Ross, Chris William Martin, Aubrey Nealon, and Sarah Douglas on the set of Fifteen, Reynolds encountered both the costs and rewards of early fame. Today, his story exemplifies how formative early setbacks and decisions can shape an actor’s enduring success.
