It was a full-on family affair in the Big Apple. On Friday, May 15, 2026, Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon and her ex-husband Ryan Phillippe put on a united front, reuniting in Manhattan to celebrate a massive milestone: their son Deacon’s college graduation from New York University.
The Reese Witherspoon son college graduation 2026 celebration saw the former couple beaming with pride outside Radio City Music Hall, where the ceremony for NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts took place.
Deacon, 22, donned the traditional NYU purple gown and gold stole to accept his diploma. Witherspoon, 50, took to Instagram to share her excitement with a sweet photo carousel from the day.
“After 4 years of hard work, long days, endless papers & classes, working with the greatest teachers and making new friends.. my wonderful son graduated from @nyutisch!” she captioned the post. “I’m so proud of you @deaconphillippe.”
The Morning Show star looked effortlessly polished for the occasion in a dark blue button-front dress paired with a crisp white blazer, while Phillippe kept it classic in black trousers and a white button-down shirt. Following the ceremony, the graduate was even spotted celebrating in true New York fashion—riding a bicycle through the city streets while still sporting a sharp black suit.
The Phillippe-Witherspoon clan wasn’t the only star power in the building. The ceremony turned into a full-on celebrity parade, featuring a few notable names:
• Laura Dern: Witherspoon’s close friend and Big Little Lies co-star served as the commencement speaker.
• Kate Hudson: Attended alongside fiancé Danny Fujikawa and parents Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell to cheer on her son, Ryder Robinson (22), who also graduated in the same Tisch class.
Witherspoon and Phillippe, who divorced in 2006 after nearly a decade of marriage, have consistently shown up for their children’s milestones over the years, including Deacon’s homespaced high school graduation in 2022.
The blended family turned out in full force to support Deacon’s big day. Joining the proud parents were Deacon’s older sister, Ava (26), who heavily documented the graduation on her own Instagram stories, and Witherspoon’s youngest son, Tennessee (13), whom she shares with ex-husband Jim Toth. With his degree in hand and an emerging music career already underway, Deacon is well-positioned for whatever comes next.
