Reese Witherspoon's children don't seem to share her enthusiasm for her Hollywood career, as the Oscar-winning actress revealed they actively avoid watching her movies and television shows. Witherspoon, 48, has two older children—Ava, 25, and Deacon, 21—from her marriage to Ryan Phillippe, and younger son Tennessee, 12, with ex-husband Jim Toth. During her chat with E! News, she humorously noted, "My children actively avoid my work. I literally have my son tell me last night ... You're funny at home - sort of.
The actress recounted how her son was taken aback by the audience's reaction to her upcoming film, You're Cordially Invited, which features comedian Will Ferrell. "When he sat through the movie, he was like, 'People were laughing at your stuff.' I was like, 'Yeah,'" Witherspoon shared. This light-hearted exchange highlights her son's surprise at both Witherspoon’s comedic talents and the nature of the entertainment industry.
Interestingly, Witherspoon mentioned how her son noted other kids may not be interested since she and Ferrell are 'old' by their standards. "He told me kids his age won't want to go see it because we're old," she said, leading to her own chuckle over the generational perspective on family viewing preferences.
Will Ferrell, also sharing the experience during the same interview, echoed Witherspoon’s sentiments. He humorously reflected on how one of his sons thinks of his career as akin to being "like a player in the NBA who's had, like, a really nice career, and it's kind of leveled out, but now you're having, like, a second rise to your career." His words hinted at both the pressures and peculiarities of parenting as celebrities, highlighting the unique dynamic between their work and their family lives.
This candid discussion revealed how both actors navigate their professional lives alongside their role as parents. Witherspoon's parenting philosophy has been shaped by her own childhood experiences. On the 'Good Inside with Dr. Becky' podcast, she shared memories of learning from her youthful mistakes—like receiving detentions for creative but disruptive behaviors. She noted, "I learned so much from the paper I didn't turn in or the demerits I got... learning from failure is actually a valuable tool." Here, she emphasized allowing children to face discomfort as part of their growth, demonstrating her balanced approach to parenting.
While it seems her children might not turn out to be her most devoted fans, Witherspoon's reflections on her parenting experiences and career reveal both humor and vulnerability. She poignantly shared her desire to instill resilience and the value of learning from one’s actions—something she feels her own parents taught her during their active involvement in her life.
Despite her children’s lack of interest, Witherspoon continues to thrive professionally, with her star power shining brightly across various projects. Her ability to maintain transparency about her career and the challenges of parenting undoubtedly resonates with many, illustrating the ordinary aspects of family life within the glitz of Hollywood.
It's clear for Witherspoon, being funny at home doesn't always translate to the screen's magic—with her children preferring to forge their own paths rather than basking in her cinematic glow. Instead, the family bonds formed through genuine interactions take precedence over movie lines and box office numbers, creating memorable moments above career accolades.