Reese Witherspoon’s Brother Was Their Family’s Black Sheep — Now He Lives a Low-Key Life as a Father of 2

• Reese Witherspoon, the "Legally Blonde" actress, was a tomboy during childhood, often following her older brother John Draper Witherspoon everywhere.
• Both siblings were raised in a nurturing family; their mother worked as a nurse, and their father was a doctor.
• While Reese pursued a successful career in acting, her brother reportedly faced difficulties and found himself getting into trouble.

Reese Witherspoon has captivated audiences worldwide with her extraordinary talent and magnetic on-screen presence. With a career spanning decades, she has etched her name in Hollywood through an impressive array of roles.

From her breakthrough performance as the tenacious and determined Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde" to her Oscar-winning portrayal of June Carter Cash in "Walk the Line," Reese's remarkable range as an actress has left an indelible mark on cinema.

Beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, few may realize that Reese is not an only child; she has an older brother named John Draper Witherspoon.

However, there was a turning point in John's life.

Growing up in Tennessee, the "Wild" star's childhood was marked by a tomboyish spirit, eagerly following her big brother wherever he went. She loved to hike and run through the creeks and forests of Tennessee, immersing herself in the wonders of nature.

While her parents, Betty and John, provided a loving and stable upbringing, little did they know that their daughter's path would lead to Hollywood stardom. As Reese's acting career took off, it was revealed that an early educator saw the sparks of her future success.

Her kindergarten teacher, Patty Wright, astutely recognized her talent and predicted Reese's destined journey as an actress even at such a young age. This revelation surprised her mother, Betty, a nursing teacher, and her father, John, a surgeon, as their professions leaned more towards the medical field.

Inside Reese Witherspoon's Older Brother's Reportedly Troubled Life

In 2002, John, the black-sheep brother of beloved Hollywood actress Reese, faced serious legal troubles in Tennessee. Allegedly, he broke into a young woman's home while she was sleeping on a couch and sexually attacked her, resulting in charges of sexual battery and aggravated burglary.

She playfully requested his help with her Wi-Fi, emphasizing their close bond.

This was the second criminal incident that year for John, who had previously been pulled over for drunken driving, earning him a charge related to driving under the influence of alcohol.

Despite these troubling events, John's fiancée, Jenny Stevens, who supported him through his difficult period, stood by his side during court proceedings.

The then-real-estate agent managed to post a $10,000 bond after being charged with the sexual assault and burglary case. Furthermore, in an unrelated incident, John was arrested again for driving under the influence of alcohol, compounding his legal troubles.

However, there was a turning point in John's life. He eventually married his fiancée, and it appears that their relationship brought stability and a positive change.

Since then, the troubled period in his life has reportedly come to an end. The couple remains together to this day, persevering through their past challenges and moving forward in their lives.

Reese Witherspoon's Brother as a Family Man & Their Heartwarming Relationship

The "Sweet Home Alabama" actress shares a loving bond with John, who has supported her throughout her life. Reese's admiration for her big brother is evident in various social media posts.

In October 2018, Reese expressed her love and appreciation for her brother on his birthday, calling him a great dad, husband, and hardworking family man.

She credited him with teaching her about exploring the world, going on adventures, and encouraging her to be strong and fearless. Reese celebrated all the big brothers out there while sending love to her "big bro" on his special day.

In October 2019, she once again wished John a happy birthday, who stands at 5-foot-4 and weighs 165 pounds, with a distinctive appearance that includes a beer belly, making him look taller than his sister.

Reese praised her fixer-upper brother for always being there for her and highlighting his diverse skills, such as setting up electronic devices and cleaning air-conditioner filters. She playfully requested his help with her Wi-Fi, emphasizing their close bond.

For National Siblings Day, Reese celebrated her big brother again by sharing a nostalgic throwback photo of them as kids, playfully joking about their fashion choices. She lovingly called John the best big brother and expressed her eternal love for family.

Reese has a particularly close relationship with her young nieces, Abby James and Draper, who live in her hometown, Tennessee.

Although based in California, she frequently visits her family and shares precious moments with her nieces, who often appear on her Instagram account. Reese's strong bond with her nieces is evident in the love and pride she expresses for them.

In May 2023, the "Your Place or Mine" actress was seen on an outing to a Parisian bakery with her nieces during a trip to France. The actress spent quality time with her lookalike nieces, enjoying a lovely day together while displaying her contagious smile and fashion sense.

Besides appreciating Reese's affectionate bond with her older sibling, many have drawn similarities between John and the actor David Spade, leaving comments on Reese's birthday posts for her brother.

One user congratulated John and humorously commented that he looked like Spade. A second user playfully remarked that they thought he resembled a chubbier Spade.

A third user playfully drew a resemblance between John and Spade, calling the former a grown-up version of the latter. A fourth user commented that John looked like what Spade would appear if he were the size of a man. Yet another user thought John resembled a fat version of Spade.

Additionally, many netizens drew similarities between Reese's son, Deacon Reese Phillippe, and her brother. One user exclaimed that Deacon looked like his uncle, John, with amazement. A second user observed that Deacon resembles his uncle, and the strong genetics within the family are evident.

A third user noted that Deacon looks like a twin of John, expressing admiration for their resemblance. A fourth user pointed out that Deacon looks like his Uncle John, expressing awe at the similarities. Another user commented on Deacon's resemblance to his uncle, emphasizing their visual likeness.