All About Deacon Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe's Son

Mar. 15, 2025

Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillippe, and Deacon Phillippe.Photo:Ryan Phillippe Instagram

Ryan Phillippe Instagram

Deacon Phillippemay be the son of two famous actors,Reese WitherspoonandRyan Phillippe, but he is carving out a name for himself with his music career.

TheNever Have I Everactor was born on Oct. 23, 2003, in Los Angeles. His parents split when he was 3 years old but he has maintained a close relationship with both, as well as with hissiblings Ava and Tennessee.

Deacon is now a student at New York University and has been focusing on making music. In April 2023, his family came out to support him at therelease party for his debut albumA New Earth.

From his career ambitions to his relationship with his family, here’s everything to know about Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe’s son, Deacon Phillippe.

He is a student at New York University

Deacon Phillippe Instagram

Aftergraduating from high schoolin 2022, Deacon started at New York University. Reese moved her son into his dorm at the start of his freshman year and, months later, reflected on the moment with PEOPLE.

“It means you did your job right,” theYour Place or Mineactress said in February 2023. “And I’m so proud of my kids. They’re thriving in the world and I’m so happy for them.”

Deacon, for his part, has been enjoying his time at college and even spent part of his freshman year making music in his dorm room alongside his friends.

He lives in the West Village

Caleb Simpson/TikTok

In his second year at NYU, Deacon has moved off campus into his ownapartment in New York City’s West Village— and let fans have a sneak peek of his crib in aTikTok video.

When TikToker Caleb Simpson, who is known for interviewing high-profile subjects about their homes, stopped Deacon on the street, the young musician let him into his West Village abode, which boasted two floors and a spiral staircase.

Deacon went on to show Simpson his “vinyl wall,” a plant he named Daryl and a sneak peek of his room, which he also uses as a studio.

“Studio setup. I sing and play a little bit of keyboard but I mostly make music on my computer,” Deacon explained before playing a short sample for the TikToker.

When Simpson asked Deacon how much he pays for rent, the star cheekily replied, “West Village prices, man.”

He appeared in Netflix’sNever Have I Ever

Deacon Phillippe in ‘Never Have I Ever.'.Lara Solanki/Netflix

Lara Solanki/Netflix

In July 2022, Netflix announced thatDeacon was joining the third seasonofNever Have I Ever,where he played Parker, a member of lead Devi Vishwakumar’s (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) rival debate team.

Deacon’s actor parents were thrilled for him as he began to follow in their footsteps, with Ryan tellingETin August 2022 that he was “so proud” of his son.

“I am so proud," Ryan said. “He’s about to go to college for music. That’s his primary focus. The acting thing he likes to do, and he will do according to what his appetite for it is, but his focus is primarily music.”

He is a musician

Deacon Reese Phillippe is seen on August 5, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.Hollywood To You/Star Max/GC Images

Hollywood To You/Star Max/GC Images

Three years before the debut of his album, the singer started playing around with production from the comfort of his own home during the COVID-19 pandemic, he toldInterviewmagazinein December 2020.

“All the music I’ve made this summer has been done digitally, for the most part,” he said. “As things open up, I’m looking forward to collaborating with people I haven’t met yet. I feel like the best records are made in person.”

“When I was listening to the radio in the car with my dad, something just clicked,” Deacon said. “I realized there’s more to making music than just being a vocalist, and that a lot of times it’s the production that makes me feel something. I asked my dad about how it works, and he taught me all the stuff he knew, and then I started watching YouTube videos.”

He and Ryan like to work out and enjoy music together

Deacon Reese Phillippe and Ryan Phillippe attend Michael Rubin’s 2022 Fanatics Super Bowl Party on February 12, 2022 in Culver City, California.Mike Coppola/Getty

Mike Coppola/Getty

Ryan has been open about his close bond with Deacon as the two of them share mutual interests like working out and making music.

In 2021, Ryan told PEOPLE that he and his son enjoy hikes in L.A. and hitting the gym together, though he joked, “We’ll do the same workout, and the way he looks after compared to the way I look isreally defeating.”

“So our first listen was on this road trip as we’re passing the most beautiful, enormous mountains on our way into Yellowstone,” he reminisced onLive with Kelly and Ryanin November 2020. “And that’s something that I won’t forget.”

Reese has called him her “ray of sunshine”

Ava Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, and Deacon Phillippe attend The Hollywood Reporter’s Power 100 Women in Entertainment in 2019.Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Stefanie Keenan/Getty

TheLittle Fires Everywhereactress has been open about her pride and love for her son, calling him her “ray of sunshine” on his 20th birthday in October 2023.

Now that he and Ava are adults, Reese shared withInterviewin June 2021 how herrelationship with them has only gotten stronger.

“That makes me want to cry, the idea of having a long relationship with adult children,” Reese said. “I never expected the kind of relationship that I have with them, but it’s so rewarding to be able to have kids that you can process life with a little bit, and they help me understand the complexities of what it means to be a human now.”

When Deacon is home from college, he spends quite a bit of time with his mom. In January 2024, he joined Reese at theGolden Globes, and in August 2024, the mother-son duo attended the Los Angeles premiere ofBlink Twicebefore closing out the summer with adinner at Nobuin Malibu.

He has a unique personal style

Deacon Phillippe at the H&M x Rabanne party in 2023.Madison Voelkel/BFA.com

Madison Voelkel/BFA.com

Deacon may be passionate about music and acting, but he also has an eye for fashion. The “Long Run” singer opened up to PEOPLE in November 2023 at an H&M x Rabanne party about his style and how he dresses himself.

“Usually I like to wear stuff that’s comfortable, that I can do my job in, which is to make music and perform,” he said.

He added that his proclivity for dressing well started when he was young, and even at an early age, he would pick out clothes that would make him feel his best.

“As a kid, I always loved dressing up and I loved getting ready for going to church,” he said. “I liked the feeling of getting dressed up. I feel like you’ve got to look your best to feel your best.”

Now that he bounces between L.A., N.Y.C. and Nashville, Deacon said his vibe changes based on where he is.

“Just like everything, your life is an amalgamation of all the places you’ve lived,” he said. “Same with my style. I like to incorporate a little bit of that country western vibe with a street vibe.”

He has some famous friends

Deacon Reese Phillippe and Magnus Ferrell are seen on October 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.jfizzy/Star Max/GC Images

jfizzy/Star Max/GC Images

Though he is just a regular student at NYU, as a child of two major celebrities, Deacon has amassed some famous friends — includingWill Ferrell’seldest sonMagnus Ferrell. The twoenjoyed a night out at celebrity hotspot Craig’sin L.A. in October 2023.

The outing came a day after the duo celebrated the release of Magnus’ new single, “Drinks on Me,” during a show at The Vermont Hollywood where Deacon was the opening act.

source: people.com