Ryan Reynolds pranks Rob McElhenney with ‘Titanic’-inspired birthday present

15 April, 2024

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds has pranked friend Rob McElhenney with a Titanic-themed birthday present.

The pair, who are owners of Wrexham A.F.C. after buying the Welsh football club in 2020, are known for their comic antics with one another.

On the occasion of the It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia star’s 47th birthday yesterday (April 14), which also marks the anniversary of the Titanic hitting an iceberg, Reynolds shared a clip on YouTube.

“For his big day this year, I financed an expedition to the ocean floor to retrieve a few bottles of Wrexham Lager – which was actually on that maiden voyage – to use in an epic birthday toast,” the star quipped in the video.

“We searched and searched. And while unfortunately we didn’t find any drinkable Wrexham Lager, what we did find was even more beautiful…”.

The star then proceeded to unveil a nude pencil portrait of McElhenney in the style of the portrait of Kate Winslet’s Rose in 1997 film Titanic.

“So join me in celebrating the heart of our Wrexham A.F.C. family by sending Rob all the birthday love we can,” Reynolds added, quipping that fans shouldn’t “embarrass” his friend by purchasing merch adorned with “all of Rob’s splendour and soft, delicate chest hair”.

After revealing that the portrait would adorn the Tŷ Pawb Gallery in Wrexham, the star concluded with a reference to Wrexham’s recent League One promotion: “Just do as I am, and simply wish Rob a happy birthday. We’ll see you in League One.”

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds at the FYC event for “Welcome To Wrexham” held at the Television Academy on April 29, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. CREDIT: Getty/Gilbert Flores

Back in 2022, Reynolds gifted McElhenney a commemorative urinal for his birthday, and last year released a song teaching people how to pronounce his name.

Meanwhile, last November the pair came together to help save a Wrexham clothing and footwear shop after it was ransacked of £7,000 worth of stock.

The pair’s time at Wrexham has been documented in Disney+ series Welcome To Wrexham, which released its second season last year.

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