‘Shooter’ Star Ryan Phillippe Talks Dating In The Public Eye

Ryan Phillippe said that his celebrity status has made his dating life difficult.

In a recent interview with People, Phillippe said that he’s already developed a “pretty thick skin” when it comes to media scrutiny. He, however, admitted that things still become a lot harder to deal with when the attention he’s getting from the media starts to affect the private people around him.

“I think that’s when it gets really difficult,” Phillippe said of living in the public eye. “Of course [dating] is a challenge. When I’ve been involved with people in my industry in the past, there is a little bit more of an understanding of what to expect, but I feel like when you are with someone who is not in the industry, the focus isn’t there to the same degree.”

Phillippe, who currently plays Bob Lee Swagger on USA Network’s action drama series “Shooter,” was previously married to his “Cruel Intentions” co-star Reese Witherspoon. The two tied the knot in 1999 and split in 2006. The exes, who finalized their divorce in 2008, share 17-year-old daughter, Ava, and 13-year-old son, Deacon.

A year after his breakup with Witherspoon, Phillippe began dating “Limitless” actress Abbie Cornish, whom he met on the set of his war drama film “Stop-Loss.” The pair ended their relationship in February 2010.

The 42-year-old actor also share 5-year-old daughter Kai with “Pitch Perfect” star Alexis Knapp, whom he dated in the summer of 2010 before breaking up in September of that year.

Phillippe’s most recent relationship was with Paulina Slagter. Sources confirmed to E! News last month that the couple, who announced their engagement last December, called it quits after five years together.

Although Phillippe admitted that “relationships are just not [his] territory,” he’s not ruling out the possibility of getting married again. “I’m open to it,” he told People. “I don’t have a date or any plans set. I haven’t closed any books!”

An all-new episode of “Shooter” airs on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017 at 10 p.m. EST on USA Network. Check out the synopsis and trailer for Season 1, episode 8, titled “Red on Red,” below:

“Bob Lee (Phillippe) and Nadine (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) create a plan to secure evidence of the conspiracy; Isaac (Omar Epps) looks for an exit strategy; Julie (Shantel VanSanten) and Mary (Lexy Kolker) face danger.”