Reese Witherspoon is reassuring followers that her father, John Draper Witherspoon, is “fine now” after he was taken to a Nashville hospital following a fall.
The actor and producer shared the update after reports about the 84-year-old retired physician prompted concern online. Witherspoon confirmed that her father had been hospitalized but did not disclose the extent of any injuries or how long he might remain under medical care.
“Earlier today, several outlets reported that my dad was taken to the hospital after a fall,” Witherspoon wrote on Instagram Stories on August 7th. “I want to let everyone know that he is fine now. He is being taken care of by wonderful doctors and nurses.”
She also thanked people who contacted the family after news of the incident began circulating.
Emergency Responders Took a Man to a Nashville Hospital
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“Thank you to everyone who reached out,” Witherspoon added. “It means the world to our family.” Her statement, reported by PEOPLE, was deliberately limited.
A spokesperson for Nashville Metro Emergency Communications told PEOPLE that the agency received a call concerning an unconscious man at approximately 4 p.m. local time.
The man was transported to a nearby hospital. The agency did not publicly identify him as John Witherspoon. Page Six reported that John had been found near the pool area of his Nashville condominium before emergency responders were called.
John Witherspoon Is a Retired Physician and Former Army Officer
John is a retired otolaryngologist, a physician specializing in conditions involving the ears, nose and throat. He also served in the U.S. Army. According to PEOPLE’s profile of Reese’s parents, the family lived for four years in Wiesbaden, Germany, where John was stationed as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve while fulfilling his draft obligation during the Vietnam War.
After returning to the United States, the family settled in Nashville, where John practiced medicine. Reese was raised there with her older brother, John, by their father and their mother, Betty, who worked in nursing and later taught the subject.
Her Parents Encouraged Her Acting Career From the Beginning
Reese has credited both of her parents with supporting her ambitions from an early age. “My parents were always incredibly supportive,” she previously told Vanity Fair when recalling how her interest in acting began as a child.
John and Betty were both present at the 2006 Academy Awards when Reese won Best Actress for playing June Carter Cash in Walk the Line. She acknowledged them from the stage during her acceptance speech.
“My mother and my father are here,” Reese said. “I just want to say thank you so much for everything, for being so proud of me.” She added that their encouragement had been consistent whether she was “making my bed or making a movie.”