Actor Ryan Phillippe is embracing his new role on set—not just in front of the camera, but also as a mentor to younger actors.
“I used to be the 25-year-old on set, sometimes even 22,” Phillippe said on the Just for Variety podcast. Now 50, the actor reflected on aging in Hollywood. “It’s humbling. Even if you exercise and take care of yourself, you still wake up with aches you can’t explain. It’s something everyone has to accept eventually.”
While he still enjoys action, Phillippe admits he’s become more cautious. “I used to do all my own stunts. I’d never let them double me. Now, I sometimes think, ‘Maybe the double should do this one.’ It’s about being smart—for myself and for the production.”
Phillippe stars in Motorheads, a new drama series premiering May 20 on Amazon Prime Video. He plays Logan, who takes in his sister-in-law and her children after they leave New York City for a small town in Pennsylvania. Phillippe describes the show as a mix of Fast & Furious, Friday Night Lights, and Outer Banks.
The younger cast members, including Michael Cimino and Melissa Collazo, often turned to Phillippe for advice. “I felt like Yoda,” he joked. “They’d ask me about the industry and their careers. I’ve had many ups and downs, and I’m open about my experiences. I believe in using what I’ve learned to help others.”
Phillippe’s own son, Deacon, appears in the series in flashbacks, playing a younger version of Logan’s brother. Deacon, 21, is the son of Phillippe and actress Reese Witherspoon. “Our kids grew up on sets,” Phillippe said. “But Deacon is a musician first. He’s studying music at NYU and figuring out his path. Acting isn’t something he’s fully committed to yet.”
Looking back, Phillippe recalled his own early break at 19, when he starred in Ridley Scott’s White Squall alongside Jeff Bridges. “That movie took us to eight countries. For a kid from a blue-collar family, it was a dream. Working with Jeff and being part of such a big production was a formative experience.”
Phillippe also remembered nearly landing the role of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars. At 29, he was considered too old to play opposite Natalie Portman. “As a kid born in the ’70s, being in Star Wars would have been amazing. But things happen for a reason. As actors, we learn to handle rejection and move on.”
With the upcoming release of the I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel, Phillippe joked about his characters’ frequent on-screen deaths. “I made the mistake of dying in too many projects,” he said. “When they get resurrected, I don’t get to come back.”
Despite his long career, Phillippe remains best known for his iconic scene in Cruel Intentions. More than two decades later, fans still bring up his infamous bare-bottom moment. “It’s funny how certain scenes stay with people,” he said with a smile.
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