Is Ryan Phillippe Married? What Most People Get Wrong

If you were alive in 1999, you probably thought Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon were going to be the blueprint for Hollywood longevity. They were young, ridiculously attractive, and had that Cruel Intentions chemistry that felt like it would last forever. But here we are, decades later, and the internet still constantly asks the same question: Is Ryan Phillippe married?

The short answer? No. Honestly, he hasn't been married in a very long time.

While his ex-wife Reese went on to marry (and eventually divorce) Jim Toth, Ryan has taken a much more winding path through the dating world. He’s been engaged, he’s had high-profile flings, and he’s dealt with some pretty messy legal battles that kept him in the tabloids for all the wrong reasons. If you’re looking for a wedding ring on his finger in 2026, you’re not going to find one.

The Reality of Ryan Phillippe’s Current Marital Status

Right now, Ryan Phillippe is a single man. Or, at the very least, he is an unmarried man. He hasn't walked down the aisle since that rainy South Carolina wedding back in the late nineties.

It’s kind of wild when you think about it. He was once one half of the biggest power couple in the world. Now, he’s mostly known for being a devoted dad to his three kids—Ava and Deacon (with Reese) and Kai (with Alexis Knapp)—and for looking like he hasn't aged a single day since 1997. Seriously, the guy’s skincare routine must be legendary.

Why do people keep thinking he’s married?

Part of the confusion stems from his long-term relationships. In the world of celebrity gossip, if you're with someone for more than three years, people basically assume you’ve signed a domestic partnership agreement.

• The Paulina Slagter Era: He was engaged to law student Paulina Slagter for quite a while. They were together for about five years, and he even popped the question on Christmas in 2015. Everyone thought this was "The One" that would finally bring him back to the altar. It didn't. They split in 2016, and things got a bit litigious afterward.
• The "Secret" Relationships: Ryan has become much more private as he’s gotten older. He’s been linked to models like Bailey Dodge and Elsie Hewitt, but these days, he doesn't exactly go on Entertainment Tonight to announce his relationship status.
• The Reese Connection: Because he and Reese Witherspoon are so good at co-parenting, you’ll often see them together at graduations or birthdays. It’s easy for a casual observer to see a photo of them together and wonder if they ever reunited. They haven't. They’re just grown-ups who actually like each other.

A Look Back: The Reese Witherspoon Years

You can't talk about Ryan Phillippe being married without talking about the only time he actually was. He met Reese at her 21st birthday party. He reportedly told her, "I think you're my birthday present."

Cheesy? Absolutely. Did it work? Totally.

They married in 1999 when they were just 24 and 23 years old. Looking back, Ryan has been pretty vocal about the fact that they were probably just too young. Being that famous, that young, and trying to raise a family in a fishbowl is a recipe for a 2:00 AM divorce filing. They officially split in 2006 and finalized everything in 2008.

Since then, Ryan has been "open" to the idea of marriage, but he’s also admitted that he’s not exactly rushing into it. In interviews, he’s mentioned that he doesn't feel the need to "close any books," but he also values his independence.

The Relationships That Didn't Lead to "I Do"

After the divorce, Ryan’s love life became a bit of a roller coaster. He dated Abbie Cornish for about four years, which was a huge deal at the time because of the rumors that their relationship started while he was still married. He’s always denied the cheating allegations, saying his marriage was in trouble long before Abbie showed up.

Then there was Alexis Knapp. That was a brief summer romance in 2010. Shortly after they broke up, she announced she was pregnant. Ryan stood by her, took a DNA test, and has been involved in his daughter Kai's life ever since.

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Then came the Elsie Hewitt situation. This was probably the darkest chapter in his dating history. Hewitt, a Playboy model, sued him for $1 million, alleging that he threw her down a flight of stairs during an argument. Ryan vehemently denied the claims, and the lawsuit was eventually settled out of court in 2019. This kind of public drama tends to make a person a little hesitant to jump back into a legal union like marriage.

What’s He Doing Now?

In 2026, Ryan seems focused on two things: his kids and his career. His son Deacon is making moves in the music and acting world, and his daughter Ava is basically Reese’s twin. Ryan spends a lot of time being the "cool dad" on Instagram, posting gym selfies and supporting his kids' ventures.

Is he dating? Probably.
Is he married? Definitely not.

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If you’re following the breadcrumbs on social media, he’s been linked to various non-celebrities and models over the last couple of years, but nothing has reached the level of a wedding announcement. He seems to have found a groove in his 50s that doesn't involve a marriage certificate.

Summary of the "Is Ryan Phillippe Married" Facts

To keep things simple, here is the current state of play for Ryan Phillippe:

• Current Status: Single/Unmarried.
• Total Marriages: One (Reese Witherspoon, 1999–2008).
• Children: Three (Ava, Deacon, and Kai).
• Most Recent Engagement: Paulina Slagter (ended in 2016).

If you’re looking to keep up with his actual life, your best bet is following his social media or checking in on his latest acting projects. He’s moved away from the "teen idol" roles and into more gritty, character-driven work.

Your next move? If you're a fan, go check out his recent filmography. He's been doing some interesting indie work that gets way less attention than his dating life but shows he's actually a much better actor than the 90s tabloids gave him credit for. Don't believe everything you see on a sidebar—as of today, Ryan Phillippe is still one of Hollywood’s most eligible (and seemingly immortal) bachelors.