Reese Witherspoon and ex-husband Ryan Phillippe reunited in New York City to celebrate their son, Deacon, graduating from college.
Witherspoon, 50, and Phillippe, 51, were spotted at Deacon’s New York University graduation on Friday, May 15, alongside their daughter, Ava, 26. (Witherspoon’s youngest son, Tennessee, 13, whom she shares with ex-husband Jim Toth, was also in town for the big day.)
In photos obtained by People, both Witherspoon and Phillippe can be seen with their cellphones in hand, snapping pictures of the graduate, 22, outside the ceremony at Radio City Music Hall.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images Ryan Phillippe took a walk down memory lane with a photo of ex-wife Reese Witherspoon. “We were hot and drenched in late 90’s angst @reesewitherpoon (such a cooler time than today),” Phillippe, 49, captioned a photo of himself and Witherspoon just a few years into their marriage, via Instagram Story on Monday, […]
The Morning Show star wore a dark blue dress with buttons down the front, a white blazer and matching high heels and handbag for the special occasion. In one photo, Witherspoon smiled next to Deacon, who wore a bright purple graduation gown with gold stole as he held onto his diploma.
Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon. George De Sota/Getty Images
Phillippe, for his part, wore a white button-down dress shirt, black pants and sneakers for the occasion. The Motorheads actor also cozied up to Deacon for a father-son photo, with both Phillippe men wearing sunglasses as they smiled for the camera.
Ava and Tennessee were spotted in the background of one photo, looking on as Witherspoon and Phillippe soaked in the moment. Ava — who graduated from University of California, Berkeley, in 2022 — documented the day herself via her Instagram Story.
Deacon Phillippe. Courtesy of Ryan Phillippe/Instagram
“Congrats NYU Tisch Class of 2026,” Ava captioned an Instagram video of the graduates walking across the stage. “More specifically my little brother @deaconphillippe.”
Phillippe also shared a behind-the-scenes look at the day’s festivities via his Instagram Story. The actor posted a picture of Deacon in the streets of the Big Apple after he received his diploma.
While Reese Witherspoon has an expansive résumé, she touts parenthood as one of her greatest achievements. The Legally Blonde star first became a mother in September 1999, welcoming daughter Ava with then-husband Ryan Phillippe. The duo — who were married between 1999 and 2006 — then welcomed son Deacon in October 2003. Thank You! You […]
“The Graduate,” he simply captioned the snap, tagging his son. (Phillippe is also the father of daughter Kai, 14, whom he shares with ex Alexis Knapp.)
Witherspoon shared her own tribute to Deacon via her Instagram Story on Friday, writing, “I swear I’m not crying.”
Deacon Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon. Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/Instagram
Phillippe’s reunion with Witherspoon is their most recent meet-up following their 2006 split.
The former couple met in 1997 at her birthday party before costarring in Cruel Intentions, which premiered in 1999. They tied the knot that June and went on to welcome Ava in September 1999 and Deacon in October 2003.
Witherspoon and Phillippe announced their divorce in October 2006. The exes have remained cordial and found their rhythm as coparents in the decades that followed.
A source exclusively told Us Weekly in April that the Legally Blonde actress is “very close” to Phillippe. (Witherspoon and Phillippe have celebrated their children’s milestones together for years, including big birthdays and graduations.)
Crushing coparenting. Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe came together to support son Deacon Phillippe‘s latest career milestone. The exes attended Deacon’s album release party at Melroseplace in Los Angeles. The Never Have I Ever alum, 19, dropped his debut LP, titled A New Earth, on Friday, April 14. “Awesome night w family & friends celebrating […]
“They have been coparenting through the years, and they are friends,” the insider said last month, noting that following their divorce, both Witherspoon and Phillippe have been “supportive” of their children going into the entertainment industry — which they have since done.
Ava began a career in modeling after college before pivoting to acting in 2025. Deacon, for his part, studied music at NYU and has already acted in Never Have I Ever and Motorheads.
