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Reese Witherspoon’s Kids Look So Much Like Her

In addition to being an Oscar winner, the founder of Draper James and an all-around force in the entertainment industry, Reese Witherspoon is also a mom of three: Ava Phillippe, Deacon Philippe and Tennessee Toth. The 47-year-old Morning Show star has opened up about how becoming a mom at the tender age of 23 was “scary,” but now, she’s basically a pro. In fact, during her visit to the Today show in October 2022, she revealed how her parenting approach has changed as the kids get older.

Witherspoon said, "You have to have a different relationship with your children [as they mature]. It is about honesty. First of all, you're managing them a lot when they're little. And then, it is more emotional support and suggestions—not telling them what to do when they get a little bit older."

She added, "You have to really nurture your adult relationships with your children, too, and give them respect and space to become who they are." *Takes notes*

Here, everything you need to know about Reese Witherspoon’s kids.

reese witherspoon kids ava phillippe
Taylor Hill/WireImage/Getty IMages

1. Ava Phillippe

Witherspoon welcomed her firstborn, Ava Elizabeth Phillippe (named for Ava Gardner), on September 9, 1999. At the time, Witherspoon was just getting started in her career and was married to her now ex-husband Ryan Phillippe. Witherspoon spoke candidly about her experience being a young mom on her Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine YouTube page, saying, “I’ve been a mom since 1999. I got pregnant [with daughter Ava] when I was 22. I delivered when I was 23. To be totally honest, it was scary. I was scared. I didn't know what it was going to do to my job or my career.” Regardless of her new mom status, Witherspoon’s career continued to takeoff. 

Phillippe is now 23 years old and a student at University of Berkeley California. In addition to her studies, she has also modeled for her mom’s Draper James line, as well as fashion house Rodarte, and casually appeared in Vogue alongside her mom and grandma. In 2021, Ava also became the face of Pat McGrath's Bridgerton collection and starred in Ivy Park's Holiday 2021 campaign.

In high school, she made her debut at the iconic Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris and even landed a hostess job at Pizzana restaurant in Los Angeles. Like her mom, she’s very creative and enjoys sketching pictures and creating clay sculptures

reese witherspoon kids deacon phillippe

2. Deacon Phillippe

Witherspoon’s second child with Phillippe arrived on October 23, 2003. Believe it or not, Deacon’s middle name is his mom’s screen name, Reese. (Fun fact: Witherspoon’s actual name is Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon, and Reese is her mom’s maiden name). Anyway, Deacon graduated from high school in 2022 and is now 19 years old. He dropped his first song, “Long Run,” in July 2020 and released his follow-up single, “Love for the Summer,” in October 2020. Naturally, Reese proved to be his biggest fan when she promoted his music on her Instagram account. She wrote, “New Song of the Summer!”

In addition, the teen is pursuing acting. Deacon made his acting debut in season three of Netflix's Never Have I Ever, where he played Parker. Show creator Mindy Kaling told Entertainment Tonight, "Reese had told me that he was interested in performing, and I only had this role that seemed really good for him. He's so super talented, obviously really handsome, but here's this kid who's been raised by two very successful actors and he wanted to learn. He came to set, he really wanted to learn from our cast, and I just love that energy."

Aside from making a name for himself in the entertainment world, Deacon is frequently featured on his mom’s Instagram account.

3. Tennessee Toth

Tennessee (middle name James) is Witherspoon’s first child with talent agent Jim Toth. Tennessee is now ten years old and attending school.

In honor of his tenth birthday, Witherspoon shared a sweet tribute on Instagram that reads, "Happy 10th Birthday to my wonderful boy, Tennessee!! Your brilliant curiosity and endless energy make me smile every day! I'm so lucky to be your mama. I love you buddy."

The actress tends to keep Tennessee out of the spotlight, but he's made quite a few red carpet appearances and continues to pop up on his mom's feed.



lex

Cat mom, yogi, brunch enthusiast

Lex is an LA native who's deeply obsessed with picnics, Slim Aarons, rosé, Hollywood history and Joan Didion. She joined PureWow in early 2017.