During his remarks at the Hamilton Behind the Camera Awards, Ryan Reynolds honored Gilliland, who passed away on September 1 at the age of 62 from complications related to cancer.
Ryan Reynolds paying honor to Gilliland
At the Variety-sponsored Hamilton Behind the Camera Awards, Reynolds honored TV writer and producer Eric Gilliland, who passed away on September 1 at the age of 62 from cancer-related complications, while accepting a screenwriting award for Deadpool & Wolverine.
The 48-year-old actor described how he first met the “magical” Eric Gilliland nearly thirty years ago, “when I was a scrawny, desperately hungover 19-year-old kid.”
He was exposed to “greats” like Buster Keaton and Jack Benny by Gilliland, who Reynolds claims “invited me into writers’ circles that no high-school dropout had any business being invited to.”
The IF singer remarked that his deceased friend “had many shortcomings,” joking that he was not very good at cleaning or purchasing new shoes. He persisted until his feet appeared to be somehow encased in a World War I foxhole.
However, Eric Gilliland’s kindness and willingness to help others were his greatest qualities. “I hated that he showed up for everyone, regardless of whether you were a waiter, busboy, or movie star,” Reynolds added.
The TV writer Gilliland is well recognized for his work on Roseanne. In the end, he was appointed executive producer of the show and went on to serve as a consultant producer for shows such as The Connors and That ’70s Show.
Reynolds stated in his address on Thursday that he would “probably be quite alarmed to learn that we held a memorial for him last week in New York City with 300 of his best friends, paid for by the proceeds of his estate.” This was in response to Gilliland’s passing.
Eric Gilliland “inspired so many people to be the best version of themselves,” Reynolds said in closing. “And so if you run into a scrawny, desperately hungover 19-year-old who recently threw up in the rose bush outside your office, give that kid a break.”
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