The 2025 Just For Laughs awards in Montreal showcased a blend of humor and heartfelt tributes, highlighted by Ryan Reynolds’ playful ribbing of Rob McElhenney, his friend and fellow owner of Wrexham AFC. During the ceremony, which took place on July 7, 2025, Reynolds presented McElhenney with the Generation Award, following a lifetime achievement award given to comedian George Wallace.
Reynolds opened his tribute with a lighthearted jab, stating, “Rob, second place to the lifetime achievement award, amazing.” His remarks reflected the comedic spirit of the evening, as he emphasized the importance of character in the entertainment industry. “Hollywood can be an insipid shithouse of round-the-clock shamelessness,” Reynolds quipped, before praising McElhenney’s dedication and perseverance. He added, “Nobody does 17 seasons of a television show with the same cast and crew and also happens to be a dick,” referring to McElhenney’s long-running role on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
When McElhenney took the stage, he shared his journey into comedy, revealing that he started with a “terrified little boy” feeling isolated. He expressed gratitude toward Reynolds, stating, “I’m here because of Ryan Reynolds, who not only took my career in the stratosphere but also flew here to give this to me.” McElhenney also acknowledged the support of his wife, Kaitlin Olson, and the significance of Wrexham in his life.
The evening continued with a series of comedic performances and acceptance speeches. Stand-up comedian Benito Skinner, known for his online persona Benny Drama, recalled his early days in comedy, humorously admitting, “I still avoid eye contact with comedians, and I think you should too. We are all mentally ill.” Skinner received the Breakout Comedy Star of the Year award, thanking Just For Laughs for its role in supporting his career.
Hannah Berner, also honored as a Rising Comedy Star, expressed her appreciation for the festival, crediting it with boosting her confidence. “JFL has been so incredible to me and to all the comics who took me under their wings,” she said while holding her trophy at the MTelus theater on St. Catherine’s Street.
In another significant moment, Fortune Feimster and Mae Martin accepted the Podcast of the Year award for their show aimed at LGBTQ+ fans. Martin noted the importance of representation, stating, “For our community, representation is still very much needed and wanted.” Feimster echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the value of discussing diverse topics.
When George Wallace received his lifetime achievement award, he brought his signature charm to the stage. After nearly five decades in the industry, he humorously remarked, “That means you’ve been around for a while and know a few things.” He also acknowledged the significant role of his agents, joking about their expenses for attending the event.
The Just For Laughs comedy festival, which celebrates a variety of comedic talents, continues through to Sunday, promising more laughter and recognition for the hard work of comedians in the industry.
