Reese Witherspoon Watched Her Mother, A Former Nurse, Save A Life On The Highway

Reese Witherspoon is in complete awe of her mom for the "infinte compassion" she has for others. When invited on the talk show hosted by long-time friend and fellow actor, Drew Barrymore, Witherspoon recalled the time when she was little, and watched her mother—who used to be a nurse—save a life.

On Wednesday's episode of "The Drew Barrymore Show," Witherspoon got emotional while talking about her mother, Betty, after she found out that the audience was comprised of all nurses, reports PEOPLE.

When Barrymore, 46, asked Witherspoon, 45, to talk about her mom, the "Legally Blonde" actor said, "Oh my gosh, you're gonna make me cry."

"I was talking to my mom on the phone when your producer called and said the whole audience was filled with nurses, and my mom and I both started to cry. Because being raised by a nurse, I think my mother has such infinite compassion."

"My mother worked night shifts, she worked weekends, so I had to kinda take care of myself; my brother and I would make dinner and everything. She was so tired, but she just loved her patients," the "Morning Show" star continued. "She did labor and delivery, she did neonatal intensive care. I would bring her donuts, her and the other nurses."

Witherspoon then revealed that she has always been in awe of her mom, especially because of her "endless compassion for other people."

"As an actor, we get so much attention," the Oscar winner said, "but my mother and father — my dad was a doctor, my mom was a nurse — I've watched my mother save people's lives."

The "Big Little Lies" actor then went on to talk about the time when she was little and watched her mom save a life, "She helped her very best friend who had a bad accident when we were very little, and I watched her resuscitate her on the side of a highway. We don't focus and highlight on the people who do that hard, difficult work of saving lives," Witherspoon added.

Barrymore and Witherspoon went on to talk about how nurses and other frontline workers during the pandemic deserve more respect, given how they upheld the nation since the beginning of 2020 by working round the clock and sacrificing their needs for others.

"I think to dedicate your life to caring for people is one of the most noble professions that exists," she said, and turned to the nurses in the audience and added, "Thank you for your incredible hard work, taking care of people during this very difficult time."