Deacon Phillippe is stepping further into the spotlight with a new fashion campaign that has quickly caught attention online.
The 22-year-old son of Hollywood stars Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe stars in a new campaign for Venice Beach-based fashion label ERL, showing off a series of relaxed, California-inspired looks — including several shirtless shots that have fans doing a double-take over just how much he resembles his famous father.
Designer Eli Russell Linnetz shared images from the campaign on Instagram, with Phillippe modelling everything from oversized hoodies and graphic tanks to baggy cargo-style jeans.
Naturally, social media had plenty to say.
“This the nepotism I wanna see,” one commenter joked, while another wrote: “He got both his parents elite genes.”
Others were quick to point out Phillippe’s resemblance to Ryan Phillippe during his own early years in Hollywood.
Following His Famous Parents Into Entertainment
While Deacon may have inherited some very recognisable features from his parents, he has been steadily building a creative career of his own.
He made his acting debut in the third season of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever, playing Parker, before later appearing in Prime Video drama Motorheads.
The latter gave him the unusual opportunity to work alongside his father.
In Motorheads, Deacon appears in flashbacks as Christian Maddox, the younger brother of Ryan Phillippe’s character Logan Maddox — meaning father and son effectively play brothers on screen.
Acting, however, has only been one part of his career so far.
Music Remains His Main Passion
Outside of film and television, Phillippe has put much of his energy into music.
Performing simply as Deacon, he has released electronic and dance tracks while developing his skills as a producer, songwriter and DJ.
His music career began gaining attention in 2020 with the release of his debut single, Long Run, and he has continued exploring production and electronic music alongside his acting work.
Phillippe has previously spoken about becoming fascinated by the production side of music, rather than simply wanting to perform in front of a microphone.
The result is a career that increasingly moves between music, acting and fashion.
A Very Hollywood Family
Phillippe has also become a familiar presence alongside his mother on red carpets.
He has accompanied Witherspoon to major industry events and, earlier this year, joined her at the premiere of Elle, the Legally Blonde prequel series.
That appearance drew its own wave of attention after Phillippe channelled one of his father’s early-2000s red carpet looks.
Earlier in 2026, Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe also reunited with their daughter Ava to celebrate Deacon’s graduation from New York University.
So while he is very clearly part of one of Hollywood’s most recognisable families, Phillippe increasingly seems interested in carving out a lane that is distinctly his own.
ERL Campaign Gets Fans Talking
The new ERL campaign may be his most high-profile fashion moment yet.
Shot in the label’s signature laid-back style, the images lean heavily into sun-soaked California cool, with Phillippe appearing relaxed in oversized silhouettes, distressed pieces and little more than jeans in some shots.
For fans, the combination of his famous family resemblance and growing confidence in front of the camera has made the images particularly shareable.
And judging by the reaction online, the 22-year-old may have found yet another creative avenue worth pursuing.
Whether he is behind the decks, appearing on screen or modelling in front of the camera, Deacon Phillippe is proving there is more than one way to follow in the family footsteps.
