Ryan Reynolds recently paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Eric gilland renowned for his work on Roseanne following his death from cancer on Sunday Reynolds who was friends with Gillan for 27 years shared his memories on Instagram reflecting on their deep bond Reynolds known for his roles in Deadpool and Wolverine recalled their first meeting early in his career he was the first big-time meeting I had Reynolds wrote describing his nervousness when he met Gill and at his Chic Bungalow office on the fox lot in La despite his initial anxiety Reynolds found gilland incredibly approachable and easy to talk to it felt like I'd known him forever he added the actor shared that gillan's influence extended beyond their professional interactions they traveled the world together and gilland introduced Reynolds to Vaudeville and Jack Benny playing a significant role in Reynolds personal and professional growth he was my University he helped me grow and find my voice Reynolds said in his tribute Reynolds expressed deep sorrow over gillan's passing emphasizing the loss felt not just by him but by countless others who had encountered the kind and humorous writer he described gilland as incapable of holding a conversation that was cruel or tore someone down lamenting that fewer people will now have the opportunity to know him Reynolds concluded his tribute by recalling how he felt an urgent desire to reconnect with gilland after their initial meeting despite the nerves he even threw up outside gillan's office but made sure to return and leave his phone number the post was accompanied by a carousel of images including solo shots of gilland a picture of him with Reynolds and a group photo featuring director sha Levy and Reynolds wife Blake Lively