Deacon Phillippe is 22, making music, acting, modeling—and apparently doing his part to keep the Phillippe family’s unfairly good-looking gene pool in active circulation. Like father, like son. And in this case, like father, oh, we definitely see it.
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The son of Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon is stepping further into the spotlight, but his latest fashion shoot has people temporarily forgetting about his résumé and concentrating on a much simpler question: did Ryan Phillippe’s face just get a sequel?
Designer Eli Russell Linnetz posted a series of photos on Instagram featuring Deacon for ERL, the Venice Beach-based fashion brand. The shoot includes plenty of shirtless Deacon, which is a bold way to introduce yourself to the internet when your father already spent his younger years looking like Ryan Phillippe. Frankly, the family resemblance is not subtle.
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Daddy Phillippe was the original
Ryan Phillippe has been serving handsome leading-man energy since Deacon was nowhere near the family group chat. Now his son is 22 and beginning to make his own mark in entertainment, while occasionally reminding everyone that genetics can be extremely committed to a theme.
Deacon has already dipped his toes into acting, making his screen debut as Parker in the third season of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever. He later appeared in Motorheads alongside his father, because apparently the family business really does have a Hollywood division.
He’s also been spotted on red carpets with his mother, Reese Witherspoon, supporting projects including Elle and Blink Twice. Witherspoon even attended the Golden Globes with her son a couple of years ago. So far, so Hollywood offspring. But acting isn’t actually where Deacon spends most of his creative energy.
What, like it’s hard to look this good on the carpet? Reese Witherspoon and Deacon Phillippe pose together at the “Elle” premiere in New York City. 🩷 (🎥: Instagram/@JPASC24) pic.twitter.com/lQvJGgkUQK
— E! News (@enews) June 23, 2026
Deacon has his own soundtrack
Music is Deacon’s main passion, and he’s been building a career as an electronic and dance artist under the mononym Deacon. He also works as an electronic music producer, songwriter and DJ, giving him plenty to do besides being photographed looking genetically suspicious in designer clothing.
That distinction matters. Deacon isn’t simply trying to become Ryan Phillippe 2.0. He’s developing his own career across music, acting and fashion—and, judging by the latest shoot, he’s becoming increasingly comfortable in front of the camera. Although perhaps very comfortable.
The shirt came off. The internet noticed.
The new ERL photos show Deacon in a decidedly more grown-up fashion moment, including shirtless shots that have been making the rounds on social media. And this is where things get slightly inconvenient for anyone attempting to discuss his career with a straight face.
Because yes, Deacon is an actor. Yes, he’s a musician. Yes, he’s a producer and DJ.
But then somebody posts a shirtless photo and suddenly everyone’s investigative journalism skills become: Ryan Phillippe really did pass those genes down, huh?
The resemblance is especially striking when you compare Deacon with photos of his father from his early 20s. Same general Hollywood heartthrob blueprint, different generation.
A family business with excellent lighting
Deacon is still early in his career, but he’s already putting together a résumé that belongs to him. He’s acting, making music and working with fashion brands rather than relying solely on the famous names attached to his birth certificate. The latest ERL shoot simply adds another chapter—and a shirtless one at that. For Deacon, it’s another fashion campaign.
For Ryan Phillippe, it may be a reminder that his son has inherited the family resemblance and is now putting it to professional use. And for everyone else? Well, let’s just say the Phillippe family group photo is suddenly a very interesting piece of visual evidence.
Ryan was the OG. Deacon appears to be the follow-up. And if the first chapter was anything to go by, this particular franchise has some very committed casting.