Ryan Phillippe Facts: Celebrities Who Started on Soaps

Ryan Phillippe is best known for starring in films such as I Know What You Did Last Summer, Cruel Intentions, and Crash. He also made daytime history with his groundbreaking role on a soap.

Along with his work in films and the soap, Phillippe has also appeared on television shows such as Shooter, Secrets and Lies, and Damages. From where he was born to turning down a Star Wars role, here are five fast facts about the actor.

Who is Ryan Phillippe?

He was born Matthew Ryan Phillippe on September 10 in New Castle, Delaware and was raised with his three sisters. His mother ran a daycare while his father was a chemist. He graduated from New Castle Christian Academy and then started his modeling career.

Soap Beginnings
After joining Cathy Parker Management, Phillippe was cast on One Life to Live in 1992 as Billy Douglas, the first gay teenager on a daytime soap. After leaving the show, he appeared on various primetime TV shows, including Matlock and Due South.

Turned Down a Role in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Phillippe actually turned down the role of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones, reportedly because of the age difference between himself and Natalie Portman, who would’ve played his love interest. Phillippe is seven years older than Portman, and the role eventually went to Hayden Christensen.

Music Video Man

Phillippe starred in the music video for the song Every You Every Me by Placebo, which was featured in his movie Cruel Intentions. He was then in the 2004 music video Hey Ya by Outkast.

Getting Personal With Ryan Phillippe
Phillippe started dating Reese Witherspoon in 1997 and the couple got engaged in 1998. They married in 1999 and had two children together — Ava Elizabeth (born in 1999) and Deacon (born in 2003). However, the couple split in 2006. He also has a daughter with ex-girlfriend Alexis Knapp, Kailani “Kai” Merizalde (born in 2011).