Reese Witherspoon's handsome blonde actor hubby Ryan Phillippe takes on the role of a rookie cop whose moral values are challenged in the new drama Crash. Ryan prefers the indie film route where he can find stories with some depth and meaning. You probably first saw him in White Squall or the popular I Know What You did Last Summer or Cruel Intentions. He also produces films through his own company.

Ryan in Crash Credit: Lions Gate Films

Busy raising two kids with actress/wife Reese Witherspoon, Ryan is concerned about life in L.A. where Crash takes place. The film is an indictment of the racial tension present especially in large, stressful cities. Ryan and Reese want their children to learn about other cultures and befriend all kinds of people. In jeans, tee with dress shirt over it and a hat cocked jauntily to the side, Ryan looked like a kid himself when we spoke to him recently. The concerned actor told us about his challenging role in Crash, a funny moment during his "cop" research, his serious take on the film's message and living in L.A.

TeenHollywood: Have you had any strange encounters with L.A. police?