No Prenup in Witherspoon/Phillippe Split

Posted Nov 1st 2006 1:40PM by TMZ Staff

Reese and Ryan -- no prenup TMZ has learned that Reese Witherspoon's fortune is fair game as her marriage to Ryan Phillippe comes to an end-- specifically, there is no prenup.

The financial consequences are enormous. Witherspoon now commands $20 million a movie. In 2005, Witherspoon raked in a total of $30 million for two movies, "Just Like Heaven" and "Walk the Line."

Phillippe has been commanding around $2.5 million a film, making him bankable, but clearly not in his estranged wife's league.

Under California law, without a prenup, earnings during a marriage are divided up 50/50.

Connected sources also tell TMZ on a scale of one to ten, one being a peaceful breakup and ten being Hasselhoff, the Witherspoon/Phillippe split is a three. And, we're told, it will almost certainly stay peaceful, partly because of the children and partly because of the couple's personalities.

We're told there is no talk of reconciliation and that divorce papers are merely a matter of time.

Filed under: Break-Ups

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(Page 3 of 6)Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. I hope Ryan takes Reese to the cleaners. It's about time for men to start demanding and getting big divorce settlements the way these greedy women have been doing for all these years. Besides, Reese is a bitch.

Posted at 8:12PM on Nov 1st 2006 by DeLayne

32. I think that if they did not agree to a prenup then split it 50/50 and try and keep whatever relationship they have as parents. I do really hope that they can work things out, I thought that there are/were really cute together.
Good Luck Reese & Ryan!!!!

Posted at 9:03PM on Nov 1st 2006 by Anne

33. They both have enough earning power to live just fine after the divorce. Best thing is to get it over quick stay friends for the kids and get on with life. Oh, and Reece should look me up as soon as the dust settles! She'll be taken care of as a proper lady should!

Posted at 9:20PM on Nov 1st 2006 by Kevin

34. To all of you "famous guy" haters.....No, I am not him and yes, he does talk some stupid shit sometimes but if any of you clicked on his link you would see that he is trying to do something with himself. Although becoming famous is not my biggest priority he has set a goal for himself and I wish him good luck. Some of you need to lighten up a little bit and realize that much of the posts on TMZ are posted to get the EXACT reaction you give...chill out all!

Posted at 9:59PM on Nov 1st 2006 by ka

35. You mean Ryan Phillippe is straight? Damn, I thought for sure he was GAY!

Posted at 10:13PM on Nov 1st 2006 by Dan

36. Ryan play on player and you'll get half.One stone kill two birds.Women do the same all he time but they always tripping when we do it,see how hurtfull it is..........

Posted at 12:38AM on Nov 2nd 2006 by Pachet

37. I for one am completely surprised by this. I thought someone as level-headed as Reese would've chosen someone who wouldn't blow it so badly. Do you think he pushed the envelope because he just had his first big hit movie? If they divorce now, Reese doesn't get half his earnings from his next "big" film...

Posted at 1:18AM on Nov 2nd 2006 by Karen M

38. DID YOU SEE THAT , IT MUST NOT BE TRUE , "DONALD TRUMP" LEFT A MESSAGE ON HERE ........SOMEONE ELSE MUST OF DONE THAT :))lol

# 16 ................CHECK IT OUT

Posted at 1:40AM on Nov 2nd 2006 by justpickyyy

39. I believe half is good. There is always one person staying home and taking care of that side of things.....and one person making money. Both jobs are equally important in a relationship.

Posted at 2:33AM on Nov 2nd 2006 by Lulu

40. Ryan had more industry buzz when they got married. Reese was best known for a movie she did when she was 14 and string of foregttable films and straight to video ( despite heavy promotion of her by studios). He was also considered a better up and coming actor.

However, she ended up doing things like "Legally Blonde" that became huge commercial hits. While he chose to do a lot of low budget ( but mostly highly acclaimed) films.

The way I see it, He knew that she had the higher earning power ( for commercial, not artistic reasons) and did her (and the family) a favor by watching the kids so she could go do her big budget crap. And he was happy to take lower paying but more critically received roles.

Somewhere between all this, they as a family chose to function this way, for the sake of their household. I'm sure he could have worked much more and made more money and he will. This is kindof like the Simpson/Lachey thing where the Wife ended up becoming a big "star" but it wasn't always that way. And the husband will have no problem making money after the divorce.

Posted at 2:35AM on Nov 2nd 2006 by John Jackstone

41. When Reese and Ryan married they were practiclly equal. I remember an interview Reese did and she said they take turns doing movies so someone is always there for the kids. This means each time she has made a movie he's followed and put his carrer on hold for the kids. I do believe he desearves 1/2. But, I don't think he'll ask for that much. With that said I respect peoples privacy and you all should too. 82% of married people get divorced these days. That's almost every married couple. But nobody cares unless it's someone famous. Get over it, they are all the same as us, they just have more money!

Posted at 9:37AM on Nov 2nd 2006 by Heather

42. This is so Cruel Intentions all over again. ...Another one bites the dust.

Posted at 9:40AM on Nov 2nd 2006 by Dana

43. Unfortunately, I had an idea that something like this would happen. Reese is too big for him (celebrity wise, of course) and you know how ego's are.

Posted at 10:27AM on Nov 2nd 2006 by Lola

44. I was just starting to admire his acting talent. I hope the cheating allegations are not true for Reese's sake and because I will probably not bother to see his movies if they are true. Just like I will never see another Brangelina movie. Reese is a classy lady and I wish her and the children all the best.

Posted at 12:11PM on Nov 2nd 2006 by Colleen

45. X, while it's true that the law is the law. Sometimes the law leaves moral justice out of the balance. Since it is more than likely that she will retain custody of the children, and because he is the reason for the breakup, I do not think he is entitled to anything.

Posted at 12:27PM on Nov 2nd 2006 by Deborah

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