Photo: BEImages/Jim Smeal.
Exes are supposed to hate each other. That's the way it's always been — but not necessarily the way it has to be. Some famous former spouses are proving that after divorce, relationships can evolve into something new. While Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin were seen as pioneers for their high-profile "conscious uncoupling" earlier this year (and for the friendship they've maintained since then), another pair of Hollywood exes mastered the art of the post-breakup relationship long before Gwyneth and Chris.
Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon have become the poster couple for what's possible after the disintegration of a romantic relationship. Despite a tumultuous end to their seven-year marriage (Phillippe was said to have been unfaithful with actress Abbie Cornish) the pair have remained amicable, which has been hugely beneficial to their children, Ava, 15, and Deacon, 10.
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In a recent interview with HuffPost Live, Phillippe discussed how they've been able to make it work. "It's a feeling-out process," he said. "I think we've gotten to a really great place. It's going well, and she's happy and remarried, and our kids are incredible. I'm proud of the way we've handled it and who our little people are."
Phillippe and Witherspoon first met at the actress' 21st birthday party, way back in 1997. The following year, they teamed up for Cruel Intentions, which, according to Phillippe, his kids can barely fathom. "[Reese] was just in New York doing press for Gone Girl and Wild and we got to meet up as a family and took a walk through Central Park with the kids, and it was funny," Ryan said of his family time. "We were reminiscing then, because we shot a lot of Cruel Intentions [around the park], so there we were, with Ava and Deacon, talking, and they were tripping out on the fact that we [had been] there, shooting a movie, before they were even a thought in our minds."
So, that's how it's done, people: Shoot a movie in Central Park, raise a family, and nearly 20 years later and post-divorce, bring said family to back Central Park to reminisce. Easy as pie. (Us Weekly)