Ryan Reynolds on his last conversations with Alex Trebek

Count Ryan Reynolds as one of the many fans at the end Danger! host Alex Trebek.

The two were friendly – they were both proud Canadians with a sense of humor – until Trebek died of pancreatic cancer in November 2020. In fact, one of Trebek’s last professional jobs was to make an appearance in Reynolds’ film. free guy, which opens August 13.

“Even up to [to] Shortly before he passed away, I spoke to him on the phone about a charity initiative he was trying to launch, “Reynolds told E! News Wednesday ‘ Daily pop. “This guy was really doing good things right until the end. Having him in the movie is definitely bittersweet for sure.”

As Reynolds explained in the video below – starting at around two minutes – it meant a lot to have the Legendary Host involved. Trebek is played in the film, which is about a man (Reynolds) who discovers he is a character in a video game.

“We shot that [scene] separately, actually after the movie has been completely finished, dusted off, and done, ”Reynolds said. “Alex was kind enough to step in and make this little cameo for us. I was so blown away by his kindness to do this. “

The month Trebek died, said Reynolds Additional that he had spoken to the host by phone two months earlier. Trebek asked Reynolds to come on his show and provide clues – something the dead Pool star made in the past. This last time he must have declined.

“I was shooting in Atlanta and I couldn’t do it,” Reynolds said.

The actor was one of many to remember Trebek on social media, describing him as “gracious and funny” as well as “curious, loyal, generous, reassuring and of course Canadian.”

He called the loss “heartbreaking” and “heartbreaking” in the Additional interview.