Reese Witherspoon’s Dad Hospitalized After Being Found by Pool: What We Know

Important Points

• Who: John Draper Witherspoon, 84, father of actress Reese Witherspoon
• What: Found face down by pool at his Nashville condo, rushed to hospital
• When: Friday (recent news)
• Condition: Blinked eyes when spoken to by doorman, then taken to hospital
• Status: Nashville Metro confirmed medical incident but didn’t release identity

What Happened?

Imagine this: It’s a regular Friday at a condo building in Nashville, Tennessee. A resident looks out from their balcony and spots someone lying face down on the concrete near the pool. That someone was John Draper Witherspoon — the 84-year-old dad of Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon.

Here’s how it went down, step by step:

1. A neighbor spots him — A fellow resident saw John lying by the pool from their balcony
2. They alert the doorman — The neighbor called downstairs to get help
3. Staff rushes over — The doorman and building manager found John near the pool
4. They check on him — They rolled him over and asked, "Dr. Witherspoon, are you OK?"
5. He responds — John blinked his eyes (a good sign!)
6. Emergency services called — He was rushed to the hospital right away

Nashville Metro Police confirmed there was a medical incident at the building Friday, but they didn’t share the person’s name — standard privacy stuff.

Who Is John Witherspoon?

John isn’t just "Reese’s dad" — he’s had quite a life! Let’s break it down:

A Doctor Dad

• Job: Surgeon — specifically an otolaryngologist (that’s a fancy word for ear, nose, and throat doctor)
• Mom Betty was a nurse — so medicine runs in the family!

Military Service

• Rank: Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserves
• Stationed in Germany for several years when Reese was a little girl
• Family moved to Nashville after he finished his draft obligation for the Vietnam War

Family Life

• Married to Mary Elizabeth "Betty"
• Two kids: Reese and older brother John
• Raised the family in Nashville

A Rocky Road: The Parents’ Relationship

John and Betty’s marriage hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Here’s the timeline:

Bigamy = Being married to two people at the same time (which is illegal in the US)

Reese and Her Dad: A Private Bond

Reese is super close with her mom Betty and posts about her all the time on social media. But her dad? He stays out of the spotlight.

• Rare sighting: Father’s Day 2020 — Reese shared an Instagram Story selfie of them on a walk, captioned "Hey Dad!"
• 2006 Oscars: John was right there cheering when Reese won her Oscar
• Generally: John prefers privacy, and Reese respects that

Summary

TL;DR: Reese Witherspoon’s 84-year-old dad, John, was found unconscious by his condo pool in Nashville on Friday. A neighbor spotted him, alerted staff, and he was rushed to the hospital after blinking in response to questions. John is a retired ENT surgeon and Army Reserve lieutenant colonel. He and Reese’s mom Betty have had ups and downs (including a 2012 bigamy lawsuit) but reconciled years ago. Reese keeps her relationship with her dad private but shared a sweet Father’s Day photo in 2020.

FAQ

How old is John Witherspoon?

84 years old.

What kind of doctor was he?

He was an otolaryngologist — that’s an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon.

Where did this happen?

At his condo building in Nashville, Tennessee, near the pool area.

Is Reese Witherspoon with him at the hospital?

The article doesn’t say. Page Six reached out to Reese’s reps for comment, but no update has been shared publicly yet.

Are John and Betty still married?

Yes! They reconciled around 2018, and Betty confirmed they were living together again and still married.

Wishing John Witherspoon a speedy recovery!