Exes and Grads: Reese and Ryan Reunite for Deacon's Big Day

Two decades after calling it quits, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe set aside their past to celebrate one of life’s milestone moments. The former couple gathered at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Friday, May 15, 2026, to watch their son Deacon graduate from New York University’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts — proof that sometimes the best co-parenting victories happen in full public view.

What’s striking here isn’t just that they showed up together. It’s the ease of it all. Both Witherspoon, 50, and Phillippe, 51, were photographed snapping their own pictures of Deacon, 22, who wore a bright purple graduation gown with gold stole as he clutched his diploma. Witherspoon looked polished in a dark blue dress, white blazer, and heels. Phillippe kept it casual in a button-down and sneakers. Two people. Two different styles. One proud moment. Witherspoon’s daughter Ava, 26, and younger son Tennessee, 13, were also on hand, making it a genuine family affair.

The journey to this day is worth noting. Witherspoon and Phillippe met in 1997 at her birthday party, went on to co-star in Cruel Intentions in 1999, married that June, and welcomed Ava in September 1999 and Deacon in October 2003. They announced their divorce in October 2006 — nearly two decades ago. By Hollywood standards, that’s ancient history. Yet according to a source who spoke to Us Weekly in April, the two remain“very close”and have“been coparenting through the years”as friends.

That friendship has clearly extended into adulthood. Both Witherspoon and Phillippe have been openly supportive of their children pursuing careers in entertainment. Ava has transitioned from modeling into acting, launching her acting debut in 2025. Deacon studied music at NYU and has already appeared in Never Have I Ever and Motorheads. Having two parents in the industry who actively champion each other’s children speaks volumes about their maturity and commitment to their kids’happiness over any lingering personal friction.

Ava documented the day on her Instagram Story, posting a video of graduates walking across the stage with the caption:“Congrats NYU Tisch Class of 2026. More specifically my little brother @deaconphillippe.”Phillippe shared his own behind-the-scenes snap from the streets of Manhattan, simply captioning it“The Graduate.”Small posts, but they reflect something bigger: a family that’s genuinely proud, genuinely present, and genuinely moving forward together.

This reunion isn’t just a heartwarming moment for celebrity watchers. It’s a reminder that divorce doesn’t have to mean the end of family. When two people decide to prioritize their kids’well-being over their own hurt, they model something that matters far beyond red carpets and graduation ceremonies.