Reese Witherspoon became a mother for the first time in 1999 with the birth of her daughter, Ava Phillippe. Now a mom of three, Reese has often heard the same comment about her eldest child — Ava looks just like her. And once again, fans are saying the resemblance is uncanny after Reese shared a new Christmas photo with her daughter. Ava was born on September 9, 1999, to Reese and her then-husband Ryan Phillippe.
Reese later explained on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that she named her daughter after Ava Gardner, whom she admired for her strength and elegance. While welcoming her first child was joyful, Reese has been open about how challenging early motherhood was. She admitted that trying to do everything on her own quickly became overwhelming and taught her that raising a child isn’t a one-person job.
Today, Ava Phillippe is all grown up. The 26-year-old studied at UC Berkeley and has begun carving out her own acting career, appearing in projects such as Doctor Odyssey and Ransom Canyon. She also shares a close bond with her famous mother. On December 21, Reese posted a Christmas photo with Ava, instantly sparking fan reactions.
Many joked they had to “double take,” calling the pair “twins” and “clones.” Similar reactions have followed them before, including during Paris Fashion Week. One thing is clear: fans can’t get over how much Reese and Ava look alike — and they love seeing their close mother-daughter connection.