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Why Ryan Phillippe Says He’s “Offended” By Hollywood Nepotism Debate
Ryan Phillippe always has the best of intentions when it comes to his children.
The Cruel Intentions actor shared a rare glimpse into his life as dad to kids Ava Phillippe, 26, and Deacon Phillippe, 22—who he shares with ex-wife Reese Witherspoon—and how grateful he is to see who they have become.
“My ex-wife and I are blessed with kids who have [an] incredible sense of self,” Ryan exclusively told E! News’ Will Marfuggi, “and also are incredibly conscientious and very academically driven—intelligent. So, they make really good choices.”
That’s why Ryan—whose movie One Mile, one story told in two films releasing on digital Feb. 20—and Reese, 49, are comfortable with being “sounding boards” for their kids, offering guidance and advice as Ava and Deacon embark on careers of their own.
“It’s nice to offer your experience to them,” the 51-year-old said, “and to let them know what you've been through and to guide them that way.”
As for his thoughts on Ava and Deacon entering the entertainment business? “It's cool to have had so much experience, to see them entering a space that you've inhabited,” Ryan said, “and to be able to offer guidance.”
Ryan—who is also dad to Kai Knapp, 14, with ex Alexis Knapp—is also grateful that his kids aren’t big into social media, saying, “They kind of have more diverse interests, and that's comforting because that can be a real detriment for a lot of young people.”
Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Prime Video
Besides, Ava and Deacon—who co-starred with Ryan in the series Motorheads—have had front row seats to Hollywood all their lives, growing up watching their parents navigate acting careers.
“The fact that they grew up seeing the good and bad effects that it has had on Mom and Dad is important,” Ryan explained, “so they know that it's not always easy or comfortable.”
And while Ryan has loved almost every stage of his kids growing up—joking, “The early teenage years—those were not my favorite”—he is truly appreciative of the relationship he has with them now that they’re adults.
Unique Nicole/Getty Images For Paramount Pictures
“My son feels like my best friend,” Ryan said. “Yes, I'm still a father and he regards me as such, but we also have so many similar interests in music and comedy, and we share all of those things.”
Plus, Ryan feels he and Deacon have “a lot of connective tissue” given that they aren’t as far apart in age as other father-son duos.
“We have these really in-depth conversations about world affairs,” he added, “and it's really special to be able to have that.”
For a look at more stars and their mini-me kids, keep reading.
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The soccer star has the cutest plus-one ever at the London premiere of Ronaldo.
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Sailor is taking after her mom in the modeling industry.
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Kate Moss & Lila Moss
And Kate's daughter is also following in her mom's famous footsteps.
Reese Witherspoon & Ava Phillippe
Here posing for an Instagram snap before the Hot Pursuit premiere in Los Angeles, mom and her daughter have never looked more alike!
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Lisa Bonet & Zoë Kravitz
Like mother, like daughter. The two attend the Vanity Fair Oscars party in 2015.
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With their matching jumpsuits, sleek hair and glasses, the two look more like twins than mother and daughter! "That moment when you realize you actually are becoming your mother #twinning #imnotmad," Willis joked on Instagram.
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Madonna & Lourdes Leon
Pictured here in 2010, the pop icon's daughter is a fashionista just like her mama!
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You'll get a kick out of how much the soccer star and his son look alike.
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The spunky morning show host celebrated her daughter's 14th birthday with this adorable pic. Look at that resemblance!
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Little Blue stole the show at the 2017 Grammys, and she's totally #twinning with her pops!
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The Oscar-winner and her daughter both rock the red hair.
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The nearly identical stunning stars even dress the same!
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The Fuller House star and her daughter are practically twins at the Summer TCA Press Tour.
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The Last of the Mohicans and Lincoln star's young adult son, whose mother is French actress Isabelle Adjani, made his big runway debut at 2015 Paris Fashion Week, walking into the Chanel show with Julianne Moore.
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Gillian Anderson & Piper Maru Klotz
The two stunned on the red carpet at the Olivier Awards in London.
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If you didn't know better, you might've guessed they were sisters!
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Tom Hanks & Colin Hanks
This apple certainly doesn't fall far from the tree!
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Mamie, Grace and Louisa Gummer & Meryl Streep
Mammia Mia! You can certainly see the family resemblance.
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