Ryan Reynolds Films His Colonoscopy After Losing a Bet to Rob McElhenney (And it Might Have Saved His Life)

We don’t know much, but we know two things for sure: 1) we’re all getting old, and 2) no one wants to get a colonoscopy but once you reach a certain age (i.e. 45 years or so), you should. Why? Because this unpleasant and invasive form of colon cancer screening could save your life. Ryan Reynolds learned this after begrudgingly getting the medical procedure done after losing a bet to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator and star Rob McElhenney.

This all ensued because last year, Reynolds bet McElhenney that he couldn’t learn to speak Welsh fluently. Reynolds was so convinced McElhenney wasn’t up to the task that he said he’d broadcast his colonoscopy publicly if the Always Sunny star learned the language. Turns out, he did! And so the cameras came into the room.

(Although, in our opinion, Ryan Reynolds probably would’ve documented this whole ordeal anyway, because this guy can’t stay out of the limelight for more than a week before he loses his superpowers. Or something like that.)

In a video created in partnership with Colorectal Cancer Alliance and Lead From Behind, both Reynolds and McElhenney shared footage of their colonoscopies and recovery.

“Rob and I turned 45 this year,” Reynolds said in the video. “Part of being this age is getting a colonoscopy. It’s a simple step that could literally – and I mean literally – save your life.”

As it turned out, the dreaded procedure may indeed have saved Reynolds’ life. His doctor, Jonathan LaPook, found and removed an “extremely subtle polyp” during the colonoscopy. (A polyp is a clump of cells that develops on the lining of the colon. It’s basically the equivalent of a tumor. While most are harmless, some morph into cancer.)

“This was potentially lifesaving for you,” LaPook, who is a gastroenterologist with NYU Langone’s Colon Cancer Screening and Prevention Program, told Ryan Reynolds in the video. “I’m not kidding. I’m not being overly dramatic.”

McElhenney had three polyps removed.

We don’t want to turn this into a competition, but we wouldn’t be surprised if these two dudes did. They are the co-chairmen and co-owners of the Welsh soccer club Wrexham AFC, after all.

And if it is a competition, sorry, Reynolds, looks like you lost (again).

Cover Photo: Randy Holmes / Contributor (Getty Images)