Ryan Reynolds to receive Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter award

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By James Kay

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Ryan Reynolds is set to receive the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award, and it's hard to think of a more deserving recipient.

Reynolds has been gracing our screens for many years now and even his movies that don't hit the mark are still usually an entertaining watch purely because of him.

But even when he's not in character, it feels like the 46-year-old actor is just a great guy - be it his funny social media presence, his dedication to his soccer club Wrexham, or his playful relationship with his wife Blake Lively - the guy does it all!

So it seems very fitting that he is set to receive an award to acknowledge the talent and personality he brings to comedy.

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Reynolds is set to receive the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award. Credit: Keith Tsuji/Getty

Bring Change to Mind (BC2M), the mental-health-focused nonprofit organization founded by Glenn Close, made the exciting announcement about Reynolds on Wednesday.

The event is scheduled to take place at City Winery New York on October 9, 2023.

The Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award is a touching tribute to the late and beloved actor Robin Williams, and it is presented annually by his children, Zak, Zelda, and Cody.

This coveted award has previously been awarded to celebs such as Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Ben Stiller, the Smith family, Dan and Eugene Levy, and Melissa McCarthy.

In anticipation of the event, Glenn Close remarked: "I am looking forward to a spectacular evening and am grateful for the generosity of my fellow artists who will gather to honor Ryan Reynolds and to inspire what I hope will be a record-breaking evening to sustain and create vital Bring Change to Mind Clubs throughout this country," per Variety.

The evening will feature performances by country music star Reba McEntire and the comedian Amy Schumer, with additional performances by musicians such as Jake Wesley Rogers, Jayli Wolf, and BC2M ambassador and performer Wayne Brady.

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The award is in honor of Robin Williams, and the recipient is selected by his children. Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty

The musical direction for the evening will be led by Paul Shaffer, while Erich Bergen returns to his role as the event's host.

The fundraiser will also feature an auction led by Scott Nevins. Auction items include exclusive experiences, such as a garden tour and lunch with Food Network star Ina Garten at her residence in East Campton and a prized guitar autographed by Taylor Swift.

Every dollar raised during the event will contribute to supporting BC2M's High School Program, which aids teenagers and provides essential resources for mental health across the United States.

The award itself is named after Williams, the beloved actor who died in August 2014 at the age of 63 after tragically taking his own life. It was later revealed that he had been living with depression and anxiety, as well as Lewy body dementia.

Featured image credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty