(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Ryan Reynolds is a joker because he grew up in a tense household.

The 34-year-old Canadian actor is quickly emerging as one of Hollywoods most in-demand stars, having made a name for himself in comedies such as National Lampoon's Van Wilder and Just Friends, as well as serious films like Buried.

Ryan loves having a joke, and thinks his love of comedy stems from his childhood as his family were police officers who took their work very seriously.

"I grew up in a very tense household. My whole family consists of cops. My three brothers are policemen as well, he told German magazine In.

So I was always trying to cultivate some sense of lightness, and it became my way to defend myself. Or if some sort of tragedy happened you could transform pain into something funny, that eased the pain.

Ryan is pleased his beautiful wife of two years Scarlett Johansson shares his love for laughter, and says she has an excellent sense of humour. Being able to laugh at life is something the handsome star has always looked for in a woman, and he finds many female movie stars arent able to do that.

Contrary to a lot of other actresses she doesn't take everything terribly seriously and she laughs about herself. Women who have a sense of humour are just sexy, he beamed. (C) Cover Media