You’d battle to discover a superstar duo who outlined the late ’90s greater than Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe.
The previous couple, who met in 1997 and tied the knot in 1999, might not have lasted within the marriage division, however their decade-long romance remains to be talked about even to today.
Many followers incorrectly assume Witherspoon and Phillippe met and fell in love on the set of their 1999 movie Merciless Intentions. You possibly can be forgiven for considering this – however the pair had truly been collectively for years already.
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For a very long time, it appeared the Hollywood pair have been unbreakable and hopelessly in love. But it surely wasn’t meant to be.
After a seven-year marriage and practically 10 years collectively, in 2006, Witherspoon and Philippe introduced their marriage was over. They shared two kids – Ava and Deacon – and vowed to stay “dedicated” to their household.
However what truly occurred and the place did all of it go improper?
How did Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe meet?
Witherspoon and Philippe first met in 1997 on the Legally Blonde star’s twenty first party.
For the actress, it was nearly love at first sight. “I do not know what came visiting me – perhaps the seven Midori sours – however I advised [Ryan], ‘I feel you are my birthday current,'” she advised Jane journal in 1998.
“He thought it was so flattering, and now that I give it some thought … how embarrassing!”
The general public did not know a lot about their secret Hollywood romance till Merciless Intentions finally hit theatres in 1999.
The movie starred Witherspoon alongside her boyfriend Philippe, with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair additionally touchdown roles within the cult movie.
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How lengthy have been Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe collectively?
That very same 12 months, Witherspoon and Phillippe tied the knot in South Carolina. It was lower than 12 months after he popped the query.
In September 1999, the couple welcomed their first little one – a daughter named Ava. She arrived three months after their wedding ceremony.
A number of years later in 2002, the pair raised eyebrows and whispers of pressure behind the scenes started after an on-stage trade on the 74th Academy Awards.
The couple have been presenting on stage when Phillippe made a joke about how a lot his spouse earned.
“You make greater than I do. Go forward,” the actor mentioned after Witherspoon requested to learn the winner’s identify out loud.
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Years later, Witherspoon would admit she was blindsided by her then-husband’s joke.
“I forgot that ever occurred. He did say that, and no, it wasn’t scripted. He did not inform me he was going to say that earlier than it occurred on air,” she mentioned on the HFPA in Dialog podcast.
A 12 months later, in 2003, the couple welcomed their second little one, a son named Deacon.
By 2006, it appeared Phillippe and Witherspoon have been nonetheless going robust when the actress thanked her husband throughout her Oscar acceptance speech.
She had simply received Finest Actress for her function as June Carter Money in Stroll the Line.
“I wish to say thanks to my fantastic husband and my two kids, who ought to be going to mattress,” she mentioned. “And thanks for loving me a lot and supporting me.”
Why did Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe break up?
In October that 12 months, nonetheless, all of it got here crashing down. The couple shocked followers after they introduced their shock separation in a joint assertion.
“We’re saddened to announce that Reese and Ryan have determined to formally separate,” a rep for the couple mentioned on the time.
“They continue to be dedicated to their household and we ask that you simply please respect their privateness and the security of their kids at the moment.”
Witherspoon filed for divorce in November 2006, citing “irreconcilable variations”.
Neither of the celebs spoke publicly in regards to the motive behind their cut up, nonetheless rumours flew that Phillippe had an alleged affair together with his Cease-Loss co-star, Abbie Cornish.
Stories blamed Cornish for the breakdown of his marriage with Witherspoon, nonetheless the actor denied he’d ever been untrue to his ex-wife.
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Phillippe and the Australian actress started courting shortly after the cut up announcement, nonetheless they known as it quits after 4 years collectively.
He later spoke about their cut up throughout an interview on Howard Stern. “I’ve a brand new rule: to not date anybody who has a publicist. Who broadcasts a breakup? I do not perceive that!,” he mentioned.
“There is not any want for that. I have been dumped on within the press for relationship stuff since Reese and I divorced. I am uninterested in getting s—t on. I do not really feel like I deserve it.
“Issues occur! How many individuals have you ever damaged up with over your life?”
Who’s Ryan Phillippe courting now?
After splitting from Cornish, Phillippe went on up to now actress Alexis Knapp in 2010. The pair later cut up, then Knapp welcomed the couple’s daughter Kai in 2011.
He has additionally been linked to Nikki Reed, Amanda Seyfried, Rihanna and Demi Lovato. As of 2024, Phillippe seems to be single.
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Who’s Reese Witherspoon courting now?
Witherspoon married her second husband, actor and producer Jim Toth, in 2011.
The couple welcomed a son, Tennessee, in 2012.
In 2023, Witherspoon took to Instagram on to announce she was splitting from Toth, simply days earlier than they have been as a result of have fun their 12-year anniversary.
“We’ve some private information to share…” their joint assertion started.
“It’s with a substantial amount of care and consideration that we’ve got made the tough resolution to divorce.
“We’ve loved so many fantastic years collectively and are shifting ahead with deep love, kindness and mutual respect for the whole lot we’ve got created collectively.”
Are Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe nonetheless pals?
Witherspoon and her ex-husband Phillippe stay on good phrases.
The 2 actors have been just lately reunited whereas celebrating their son’s profession milestone.
Witherspoon and Phillippe attended their 19-year-old son Deacon Phillippe’s launch occasion for his album A New Earth.
The proud father took to Instagram to share snaps of the celebration, posting one picture of the Legally Blonde actress smiling alongside their two kids Deacon and Ava Phillippe, 23.
“Superior night time w household & pals celebrating the discharge of, ‘A New Earth’ by @deaconphillippe !!” Ryan captioned a carousel of photographs from the gathering.
“Stream, obtain, and hearken to the album.”
The photographs led to followers egg on a reconciliation between the 2 actors.
With Witherspoon now single after ending her 12-year marriage to Jim Toth, hypothesis was at an all-time excessive.
