Reese Witherspoon and Husband Jim Toth Announce “Difficult Decision” to Divorce
Reese #Reese
Reese Witherspoon and husband Jim Toth are splitting up.
The two were married for over a decade before announcing their decision to divorce in March 2023.
“We have some personal news to share… It is with a great deal of care and consideration that we have made the difficult decision to divorce,” they said in a joint statement posted on Instagram. “We have enjoyed so many wonderful years together and are moving forward with deep love, kindness and mutual respect for everything we have created together.”
They added, “Our biggest priority is our son and our entire family as we navigate this next chapter. These matters are never easy and are extremely personal. We truly appreciate everyone’s respect for our family’s privacy at this time.”
A source told People, “They really are the best of friends and this is such an amicable decision. They are so committed to co-parenting together. They are invested in their whole family and making this as smooth as possible for everyone.”
Though not a Hollywood star himself, Toth moves in similar circles as Witherspoon—and according to Heavy, represents a host of A-list celebrities including Scarlett Johansson and Matthew McConaughey.
Ahead, see everything to know about Witherspoon’s ex.
He is a top talent agent.
Toth is currently the co-head of the motion picture talent department at Creative Artists Agency, a leading company in film packaging and distribution deals, per CAA’s official website.
Witherspoon was reportedly always attracted to the fact that Toth didn’t come from the same exact circle of fame.
“She loves that he’s not a celebrity,” a source told People back in 2010. “They’ve been left alone to get to know each other in a more private way.”
He met Witherspoon at a party.
Toth first crossed paths with Witherspoon after saving her from a very drunk man—one of Toth’s own friends—at a house party, the actress shared with ELLE in 2012.
“It happened out of the blue,” Witherspoon recalled. “This really drunk guy was hitting on me, making such an idiot of himself, yelling at me. He was like, [slurring, scowling, pointing finger in her face] ‘You don’t know me.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, I know. I don’t know you!'”
And that’s when Toth swooped in.
“Jim came over and said, ‘Please excuse my friend. He’s just broken up with someone,'” the actress continued. “Jim was a really good friend, pulling him out of that situation. That’s just kind of who he is, a really good person.”
He proposed to Witherspoon after less than a year of dating.
Toth popped the question to Witherspoon in December 2010, roughly 10 months after the pair’s relationship was first confirmed.
“They are extremely happy,” the couple’s rep told Us Weekly at the time.
Their nuptials were held several months later, in March 2011, at their private ranch in California. Witherspoon’s children from her previous marriage to Ryan Phillippe took on special roles for the occasion: Daughter Ava Phillippe served as the maid of honor, and son Deacon Phillippe was the ring bearer.
The actress wore a custom Monique Lhuillier gown for the wedding.
He shares a son with Witherspoon.
Toth and Witherspoon welcomed their first and only child together—son Tennessee James Toth—in September 2012.
According to the actress, Toth has been a supportive, fun-loving dad and father figure to all of Witherspoon’s children.
“He’s very patient and funny with the kids,” she said to People in 2016. “He really encourages them to see the humor in life.”
He spearheads a charity for cancer.
In addition to his profession with talent in Hollywood, Toth serves as the co-chair of the cancer charity organization Stand Up to Cancer.
Witherspoon revealed in 2016 that Toth’s involvement with cancer fundraising has held personal meaning.
“My husband lost his father to cancer seven years ago,” Witherspoon told People at the time. “It has been his mission to raise money for SU2C and raise awareness about early detection and cancer research.”
Toth previously spoke on his sentiments surrounding the loss of his father—and why it drove him toward this philanthropic purpose—during one of SU2C’s fundraisers.
“As much as he irritated me, I surely never envisioned life without my father,” Toth said in a speech. “That’s why I ‘m here. His fight with lung cancer was brief, only eight months, and when he passed away, my only emotion was anger … at that point in my life, I realized I needed to turn it into a positive.”
He has encouraged Witherspoon to produce.
Toth has expressed his belief in Witherspoon’s special eye for storytelling.
“He said, ‘You should produce movies,'” the actress told BAZAAR of her husband’s support during a 2016 interview.”‘You read more books than anybody I know. You should just buy some of them and turn them into films.'”
Witherspoon has since produced the award-winning 2022 film adaptation of Where the Crawdads Sing, among other projects.
Witherspoon has publicly spoken about his positive impact on her life many times.
Witherspoon revealed the secret to her happy marriage with Toth in a 2019 conversation with Natalie Portman for Harper’s BAZAAR.
“In a true partnership, people need to be appreciated for everything they bring to the table,” the actress said. “I have a husband who supports my dreams and my ideas. He helps me with everything. I ‘m very lucky.”
Witherspoon previously gushed over the extent of Toth’s unwavering support in an interview with ELLE in 2012.
“Jim said, ‘I ‘m gonna show you every day what a good partner is, what a good person is. I ‘m going to take care of you. I ‘m gonna do this so much that you’re gonna get used to it.’ I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ I’ve never had anybody like that in my life,” she said.