Ryan’s mini shoulder to cry on - Feb 16 2007
Ryan Phillippe has revealed how his daughter Ava has helped him through his break-up with wife Reese Witherspoon, admitting that she has been "the inspiration".

The actor opened up to Ellen DeGeneres on her chat show, calling this period in his life "the most personally devastating".

Luckily, he says Ava, seven, and three-year-old son Deacon are "doing amazingly well and that’s really all that matters".

And his daughter is the key, he says. "I know it sounds pathetic - I’m a 32-year-old guy - but my seven-year-old daughter is getting me through the toughest time in my life and that’s beautiful too."

The actor - who stars in the forthcoming thriller Breach - explains that the split hasn’t been easy, but that being a Dad and focusing on the kids has helped him survive.

He and his Oscar-winning ex called time on their seven year marriage last October.

Reese files for divorce - Nov 9 2006
Reese Witherspoon has filed for divorce from husband Ryan Phillippe, almost a fortnight after the couple announced they were separating.

In yesterday’s filing in Los Angeles, the actress cites "irreconcilable differences" and seeks custody of the couple’s two children -- seven-year-old Ava and three-year-old Deacon.

Reese, 30, also seeks visitation for Ryan, 32, and "exclusive use of the family residence".

The actress also asked for the court to terminate its ability to award spousal support to her ex.

The filing does not list separate or community property, saying the nature of the assets has yet to be determined.

The couple, who co-starred in the 1999 film Cruel Intentions married that year. Their separation was announced on October 30 by a publicist who did not give the reason for the split.

In March, Reese won an Academy Award for her role as June Carter Cash in 2005’s Walk The Line.

Ryan co-starred in the best-picture Oscar winner, Crash, and is starring in Clint Eastwood’s latest film, the Second World War drama Flags Of Our Fathers.

Ryan speaks out - Nov 9 2006
Ryan Phillippe has spoken out about the accusations levelled at him following his split from wife Reese Witherspoon.

While he doesn’t directly comment on the allegations that he cheated on his Oscar-winning spouse with his co-star, Australian actress Abbie Cornish, he strenuously defends his reputation.

"I’m not a perfect person," he tells People magazine in a statement. "But I’m not guilty of a lot of things I have been accused of. My priority is and always has been the health and safety of my family."

The 32-year-old actor has two kids with Reese - a seven-year-old daughter called Ava and son Deacon, three.

The star has been made the scapegoat in the marriage break-up, with rumours that he and his co-star had a fling on the set of their new film, Stop Loss.

Ryan’s also known to be a fans of a good night out, although his spokespeople say that his so-called hard-partying image has been blown out of proportion.

Reese splits from husband Ryan - Oct 31 2006
Reese Witherspoon has formally split from her husband Ryan Phillippe.