Ryan Reynolds dedicates Critics' Choice Award to Make-A-Wish

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Ryan Reynolds dedicated his first-ever Critics' Choice Award to the Make-A-Wish Foundation on Sunday.

The 40-year-old Deadpool star gave a shoutout to the non-profit and the SickKids Foundation of Toronto during his acceptance speech for Entertainer of the Year.

"Deadpool was an 11-year odyssey for me to get up here, and it resonated with a lot of people. The character had cancer, and some of the people that this character resonated with were sick kids. I would like to dedicate this honor to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the SickKids Foundation of Toronto, two incredible organizations that do so much for so many kids in need," Reynolds told the audience.

"I would also like to dedicate this award to the memory of my friends Connor McGrath and Grace Bowen," he added, recognizing two young children who died of cancer. "They didn't lose the battle, but they started a fight and it's up to us to finish it."

"I also want to thank my wife and, for no reason at all, I suppose my children," he later joked of actress Blake Lively and their two daughters.

Reynolds also won Best Actor in a Comedy for Deadpool, but lost Best Actor in an Action Movie to Andrew Garfield for Hacksaw Ridge. Deadpool won Best Comedy, but lost Best Action Movie to Hacksaw Ridge.

Deadpool opened in theaters in February and earned over $782 million at the box office. The movie is now nominated for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy and Best Actor - Musical or Comedy for Reynolds at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards.

"Thank you, Golden Globes! As we speak, the entire Deadpool team is engaged in a grotesque, early morning tickle fight," Reynolds tweeted Monday after the announcement.