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Reese Witherspoon’s ex-husband, Ryan Phillippe, is reportedly trying to reconnect with their daughter Ava—but not directly. He’s said to be reaching out to Reese for help in getting back in touch with her. While Reese and Ava still share a warm and close bond, the same can’t be said for Phillippe, who has been estranged from Ava for quite some time.
Phillippe and Witherspoon, who share two children together, split back in 2006. Although the two have remained generally civil since the breakup, Ava has cut ties with her father completely. This distance reportedly began after Ryan settled a domestic abuse case privately, outside of court—a move that changed Ava’s view of him significantly.
In an earlier interview, Phillippe had spoken about his ongoing relationship with Reese, saying that they’ve always tried to stay united for the sake of their children. He described their current dynamic as more of a friendship, with occasional phone calls to discuss their kids’ lives. But even so, his connection with Ava seems to have completely broken down.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ryan hasn’t spoken to Ava in years. A source close to the family shared that Ava began distancing herself from him after the settlement, saying, “She stopped seeing him as the father who adored her—he fell off that pedestal.”
The rift apparently deepened as Ava watched her own friends suffer through difficult and even traumatic experiences in their personal lives. One insider explained, “She’s seen the toll it takes on people, and she doesn’t make excuses for anyone. Her tolerance for that kind of behavior is zero—and Ryan didn’t do anything to change her perspective.”
Despite all this, Phillippe isn’t giving up. He’s now leaning on Witherspoon in hopes that she can help bridge the gap and convince Ava to let him back into her life.