You’d think after twenty years of blockbusters and massive business deals, everyone would know exactly who they’re looking at when Ryan Reynolds walks into a room. Apparently not. Even with a face that's plastered across every IMAX screen and Mint Mobile ad in the country, Reynolds recently admitted he’s been living a double life.
There is this one pizza shop in New York’s East Village where he has been a regular for years. The catch? The staff is 100% convinced he is Ben Affleck.
He doesn't correct them. Honestly, why would you? It’s way funnier to just nod along when they ask how J.Lo is doing. Reynolds even joked on the Dear Hank & John podcast that he plays it off by acting slightly "put out" by the questions, which only makes the "Ben" persona more believable to the employees. It's that classic "I'm a busy movie star" vibe.
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The Weird Connection Between Ryan Reynolds and Ben Affleck
On the surface, they don't seem like they'd have much in common. Ryan is the Canadian king of quips, the guy who turned a foul-mouthed superhero into a multi-billion dollar brand. Ben is the gritty Oscar-winner from Boston who’s spent decades navigating the intense highs and lows of the Hollywood machine.
But look closer. They’re both guys who’ve had to reinvent themselves after some pretty public "oops" moments in the early 2000s. For Ryan, it was the Green Lantern disaster. For Ben, it was Gigli and the tabloid frenzy that followed.
They both figured out that the best way to survive in this industry is to stop playing by everyone else's rules.
Today, in early 2026, we’re seeing them operate as more than just actors. They are basically media moguls now. Reynolds has his Wrexham AFC success—the club just hit the Championship and is eyeing the Premier League—while Affleck is busy trying to fix how Hollywood pays its workers through his company, Artists Equity.
The Business of Being a "Star"
If you're looking for why these two still dominate the conversation, it’s because they’ve mastered the "hustle" in very different ways.
- Ryan Reynolds is the marketing genius. He doesn't just star in things; he buys the company, makes the ads himself, and sells it for a billion dollars. Between Aviation Gin and the T-Mobile acquisition of Mint Mobile, he's basically a walking case study for Harvard Business School.
- Ben Affleck is the creative disruptor. Along with Matt Damon, he launched Artists Equity to ensure that film crews—not just the stars—get a piece of the backend profits. Their new Netflix thriller, The Rip, which just dropped this January, is actually a test run for this model. It’s a gritty, expletive-filled crime movie that feels like a throwback to the 90s, but the business backend is totally futuristic.
It’s kind of wild to think that while one is selling wireless plans, the other is rewriting the labor contracts of the streaming era.
Why the Comparisons Won't Quit
Is there a rivalry? Some insiders say so. Reports have popped up recently suggesting that Affleck and Damon see Reynolds as a "direct competitor" rather than a peer. It makes sense. They’re all fighting for the same mid-to-high budget projects that are becoming increasingly rare in the age of the "IP" movie.
Plus, there’s the Jennifer Garner connection. Garner and Reynolds became close while filming The Adam Project and Deadpool & Wolverine. Sources claim Ben isn't exactly thrilled with how much time his ex-wife spends in that particular "Hollywood coalition," but that’s mostly just industry gossip.
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What’s more interesting is how they’ve both managed to stay relevant. Most actors from their era have either faded into "prestige" roles or disappeared into the Hallmark void. These two? They’re bigger than ever.
What Ryan Reynolds and Ben Affleck Teach Us About Staying Power
If you want to stay on top for thirty years like these guys, you have to be willing to be the "other guy."
Reynolds leans into the self-deprecation. He'll happily tell you he gets confused for Ryan Gosling, too (noting the only difference is that Gosling is "actually talented"). He doesn't mind the pizza shop thinking he's Affleck because it keeps him grounded. Or at least, it makes for a great story during a press tour.
Affleck, on the other hand, leans into the intensity. He’s the guy who will go on a rant about AI or the state of cinema because he actually cares about the craft.
Both strategies work.
If you’re trying to build a brand or even just a career, take a page from the Reynolds/Affleck playbook:
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- Don't be afraid to fail loudly. Daredevil and Green Lantern didn't kill their careers; they were just the first acts.
- Own the platform. If you don't like how the industry works, buy the team or start the production house.
- Keep them guessing. Whether it's buying a Welsh football club or launching a revolutionary profit-sharing model, the best move is the one nobody saw coming.
Next time you’re in New York, maybe swing by the East Village. If you see a tall guy with a beard ordering a pepperoni slice, don't ask for a Deadpool selfie. Just ask him how the kids are doing and if he's seen Matt lately. He’ll probably appreciate the commitment to the bit.
Check the latest box office numbers for The Rip or follow the Wrexham standings to see which "mogul" is having a better week. Keep an eye on the Artists Equity release schedule—it's likely going to change how your favorite shows get funded by the time 2027 rolls around.