New York University’s 2026 graduation ceremony at Radio City Music Hall on Friday drew a wave of celebrity parents, turning the milestone event into a star-filled celebration.
Reese Witherspoon and her former husband Ryan Phillippe surprised onlookers as they appeared together for the first time in years to support their son Deacon, who received his degree. The former couple, who divorced in 2008 after marrying in 1999, were joined by their daughter Ava as they proudly watched Deacon complete his studies at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Also in attendance was Kate Hudson, who cheered on her eldest son Ryder as he graduated from the same prestigious institution. She was supported by her mother Goldie Hawn and longtime partner Kurt Russell, while Ryder’s father, musician Chris Robinson, and other family members also joined the celebration.
Supermodel Christy Turlington and filmmaker Edward Burns were equally proud as they watched their daughter Grace receive her diploma from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, a program Turlington herself once attended.
Witherspoon and Phillippe appeared cordial throughout the event, greeting Hudson and sharing warm exchanges outside the venue. Witherspoon, who also brought her son Tennessee, looked polished in a denim dress layered with a blazer, while Phillippe opted for a relaxed white shirt and dark trousers.
Hudson arrived in a coordinated green outfit, celebrating her son alongside her fiancé Danny Fujikawa and younger children, including Bingham and Rani Rose. Turlington, meanwhile, shared emotional reflections on her daughter’s achievement, calling the milestone deeply meaningful as she praised the graduating class.
The day ultimately highlighted not just academic success, but also blended families, long-standing friendships, and shared pride among Hollywood’s next generation of graduates.
