Blake Lively Honors Husband Ryan Reynolds on Father’s Day
Blake Lively has shared a heartwarming tribute to her husband, Ryan Reynolds, calling him the “greatest person” she has ever known. The actress posted the touching message on her Instagram Story amidst ongoing legal proceedings with her It Ends with Us co-star, Justin Baldoni.
The intimate family snapshot featured Reynolds, 49, affectionately carrying one of their four children, planting a kiss on their shoulder. Lively, 38, captioned the image: “No one I’ve ever known is greater than this man.”
Lively and Reynolds are parents to daughters James, 11, Inez, 9, Betty, 6, and son Otis, 3. The actress also shared a repost of a memorable tribute she made to Reynolds at the 36th American Cinematheque Awards in November 2022. During that event, she lauded his dedication as a father, stating, “Now I am his home and our girls are his home. And just like that 19-year-old boy like he races home whether it’s from across the globe or meeting across the street he is hard wired to get home.”
She further elaborated on his commitment, noting, “If he came home from set not in his wardrobe we would be very concerned. Soaked in mud, fake blood, real blood, prosthetic scars, superhero suits, tap shoes, or clown make-up. Daddy always comes home.” The video showed a visibly moved Reynolds in the audience, tears welling in his eyes.
Lively continued to praise Reynolds’ ability to balance his demanding career with his family life: “And that man races back to his real life like nothing I have ever seen especially not by someone who’s able to be so all in in his work life. He’s able to somehow be everything to everyone all at once. He’s the most present person you will ever meet. And yes, he creates magic in his work but man, oh man, does he create magic in his real life, and my girlies they know what I’m talking about. Hi, JJ. Home is where the heart is.” At the time, she was pregnant with their fourth child and humorously captioned the clip, “This pregnant lady with laryngitis seems to be a big fan.”
In addition to her tribute to Reynolds, Lively also shared a heartfelt message for her late father, actor Ernie Lively, who passed away in 2021. She posted a photo of him looking over her mother Elaine’s shoulder as she held a grandchild, with the caption: “Love to everyone today who doesn’t have their dad.”
Legal Developments
The actress’s public tributes come as she navigates a legal dispute with Justin Baldoni concerning legal fees. On June 16, Lively filed a request for an extension in the ongoing litigation, citing a demanding schedule.
According to court filings in New York City federal court, Lively stated that a June 22 deadline to present all materials would be challenging due to “a number of conflicting personal and professional obligations, including international travel.” Her legal team requested an additional seven days, pushing the deadline to June 29, 2026, for her initial brief. They also sought a 30-day extension for submissions on “legal principles and [her] motion for attorneys’ fees and costs,” which would set a new deadline of July 15, 2026.
Lively’s legal representatives indicated that the extra time is crucial for assembling “supporting invoices and other supporting evidence as to the reasonableness of fees and costs.” It was noted that Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer, objected to any extensions or requests for clarification regarding deadlines.
Background of the Legal Case
The judge previously denied Lively’s request for damages but allowed her to pursue attorneys’ fees related to Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit against her. Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, stated that the court recognized Lively was not entitled to damages, asserting, “Throughout this process, innocent people had their reputations unfairly tarnished.” Freedman maintained that there was no sexual harassment, retaliation, or smear campaign by his client.
Freedman commented on June 12 that the court acknowledged the facts, adding, “We would not hesitate to stand up for the truth again.” He further criticized Lively’s attempt to seek damages, calling it a “fruitless mission” that ultimately failed.
The legal battle between Baldoni and Lively has been ongoing for approximately 18 months. In December 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, retaliatory conduct, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. By April, a judge had dismissed 10 of the 13 claims made by Lively, including those related to sexual harassment, conspiracy, and defamation. The two parties reached a settlement on May 4, just two weeks before a scheduled trial date.
In a joint statement following the settlement, Lively and Baldoni expressed shared goals: “Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors – and all survivors – is a goal that we stand behind. It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”
Lively’s initial lawsuit against Baldoni alleged various forms of sexual harassment, including body shaming, and accused him of orchestrating a smear campaign. She also named several of Baldoni’s associates and his company, Wayfarer Studios. Baldoni had initially filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times, which was later incorporated into a $400 million lawsuit filed in January, naming Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane. That suit was dismissed in June 2025.
The film It Ends with Us, based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel and starring Lively and Baldoni, garnered significant box office success, earning $148 million domestically and $350 million globally. However, the film’s positive reception has been overshadowed by the legal disputes between its lead actors. The movie’s plot centered on a complex relationship, with Lively portraying Lily Bloom and Baldoni playing Ryle Kincaid.
