Julie Bowen is celebrating this (modern) family milestone.
With the Modern Family alum and ex-husband Scott Phillips’ 18-year-old son Oliver Phillips becoming a new high school graduate, she shared insight into his upcoming plans.
“He’s going to college,” Julie told E! News in an exclusive interview. “He’s going to [the University of] Oregon. He’s very, very excited.”
But he won’t be making the trek solo.
“He doesn’t know I’m gonna road-trip up to Oregon,” she quipped. “He said he’s road-tripping and I’m like, ‘I’m coming with you.’”
After all, the 55-year-old—who also shares 16-year-old twins Gustav and John with her ex—admitted that her kids “actually talk” to her when they’re “alone in a car.” (For more with Julie and the cast of Happy Gilmore 2, tune into E! News tonight, July 16 at 11 p.m.)
Although the Happy Gilmore 2 actress is thrilled for this new chapter, she teased that she’s “terrified that he’s being released onto the world.”
“I love that kid, I love him so much,” she added. “But I do wonder—nature versus nurture. You do so much parenting, and then you’re like, ‘You were always gonna be this person. You’re always gonna be who you are.’”
She admitted that ultimately, parents just have to let their “little bird” fly.
As for how Julie’s family celebrated Oliver’s graduation? They pulled out a cigar for him to puff.
“To the most original, interesting, and funny kid I know…congratulations @itsoliverphillips,” she captioned her June 12 Instagram post alongside snaps of him in his graduation gown. “You are a high school graduate! The future is yours (but that cigar will definitely make you puke).”
Parenting three teenage boys has been a challenge for the Lost alum, who, like many parents, struggled with the transition. Although it was difficult to know how involved to be at that age, her sister, Annie Luetkemeyer, gave her some much-needed advice.
“She goes, ‘At this age, they need you five percent of the time and the other 95 percent they could give a rat’s ass if you’re around,” Julie recalled on the Three Questions with Andy Richterpodcast in October. “‘But when they need you, you don’t know when it’s gonna be or where it’s gonna be.”
So, she emphasized, “You’re gonna miss that moment if you aren’t doing some lurking.’”
For a closer look at more celebrity kids who moved their tassels to the left, keep reading.
-Reporting by Emily Curl
Amelie Anstead
Ant Anstead‘s daughter with ex-wife Louise Storey graduated from Engand’s Loughborough University in July with a Bachelor of Science degree.
“Ammo is the kindest, fiercest, most generous, beautiful, loving and brilliant lady,” the Celebrity IOU: Joyride host wrote on Instagram. “Shes funny too! She said ‘see daddo this proves I’m clever!'”
Oliver Phillips
It was a modern family affair for Julie Bowen and her husband Scott Phillips when they saw their oldest son graduate from high school.
“The future is yours,” the actress shared on Instagram June 11, “but that cigar will definitely make you puke.”
Taylor El Moussa
Flip or Flop alums Christina Haack and Tarek El Moussa‘s daughter graduated from middle school in June. To celebrate, the exes threw a graduation party with friends and family, including their son Brayden El Moussa and Tarek’s wife Heather Rae El Moussa.
Zaya Wade
Dwyane Wade‘s daughter received her high school diploma in front of friends and family, including stepmom Gabrielle Union.
“Zaya, you’ve closed this chapter with such grace and courage,” the couple wrote on Instagram June 14. “Watching you bloom into the brilliant, bold, and beautiful young woman you are has been a true gift.”
Jake Cibrian
Brandi Glanville and Eddie Cibrian reunited for their son’s high school graduation in June. The commencement ceremony was also attended by Eddie’s wife LeAnn Rimes, who called Jake “the best kid ever” in a June 12 Instagram post.
Johan Samuel
Heidi Klum and Seal‘s son received his diploma from Campbell Hall in Los Angeles, with the supermodel writing on Instagram June 11, “My heart is full of joy and pride.”
Nina Yankovic
“Weird Al” Yankovic‘s daughter graduated from college on June 8, with the musical comic jokingly captioning a photo from the commencement ceremony, “Sorry, this is the most recent picture I could find of her.”
Egypt Dean
This boy is on fire! Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz completed eighth grade at La Jolla Country Day School in San Diego, Calif.
Kasseem Dean Jr.
But Egypt wasn’t the only graduate in the house! Swizz’s son with ex-wife Mashonda Tifrere earned his diploma, with the blended family all celebrating the big milestone at his commencement ceremony.
“You are magnificent super magical beings!!!” Alicia wrote to the boys on Instagram June 6. “There’s nothing you can’t do!”
Slate Arroyave
Amid her stage 4 cancer journey, Teddi Mellencamp saw her and Edwin Arroyave‘s daughter graduate from elementary school.
“Just like that our baby girl is graduating lower school,” the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum shared on Instagram June 6. “Off to middle school next year.”
Sasha Schreiber
Friendly exes Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts were joined by their new spouses—Taylor Neisen and Billy Crudup, respectively—to see their son reunited from high school.
“What an incredible day,” Naomi wrote on Instagram Stories June 5. “He did it!! So so proud.”
Elvis Cordero
Nick Cordero would be proud! The late Broadway star’s son wore his Rock of Ages costume to kindergarten graduation.
“People often ask how I keep Nick’s memory alive and share him with Elvis,” Nick’s wife Amanda Kloots explained on Instagram June 4. “This is how—I make sure that Elvis always knows his dad is always a part of his life and that he’s always there.”
Skyler Smiley
According to Gretchen Rossi, her and Slade Smiley‘s little girl is “growing up way too fast.”
“She lead the whole Graduation ceremony with a prayer,” the Real Housewives of Orange County star shared on Instagram June 4. “She is becoming such a precious sweet young lady and we know a lot of it is because of the hands on care and love she receives from her amazing teachers.”
Augustin Evangelista
Model Linda Evangelista reunited with her ex François-Henri Pinault to see their son graduate from high school. For the special occasion, the former couple were joined by Salma Hayek, who has been married to François-Henri since 2009.
“Augie!!! We are so PROUD of you congratulations for becoming the extraordinary young man that you are,” Salma wrote to her stepson on Instagram June 3. “Congratulations to Linda, Francois and all the parents who got our babies up to this point. Easier said than done.”
Fiona Facinelli
In June, Jennie Garth and Peter Facinelli‘s youngest daughter graduated from Notre Dame High School in Los Angeles.
“I am so beyond proud of her!” wrote Jennie, who was joined by her ex—as well as husband Dave Abrams and Peter’s partner Lily Anne Harrison—for the occasion. “My heart is filled with so much excitement to see her fly!”
Darby Dempsey & Sullivan Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey‘s twins with wife Jillian Dempsey looked all grown up at their graduation from Crossroads School in Los Angeles.
“So proud of you boys,” the Grey’s Anatomy alum gushed on Instagram, “and cannot wait to see where the next chapter of your lives will take you!”
Gable Nealon
Now that’s a man with a plan! Kevin Nealon and Susan Yeagley‘s son was headed off to University of Southern California after serving as the speaker at his high school graduation.
Elliott Stephanopoulos
Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos‘ oldest daughter graduated from Brown University in late May.
“Happy graduation to an incredible human being who has her father’s brain and my legs,” Ali quipped on Instagram. “And if it was the other way around- she’d be screwed.”
Ruby Maguire
Spider-Man alum Tobey Maguire and his ex-wife Jennifer Meyer swung by their daughter’s graduation from Los Angeles’ prestigious Crossroads School.
“Graduate of our dreams,” Jennifer shared on Instagram May 31. “We are so proud of you in every way. We love love love love love you baby.”
Gia Lopez
Saved by the bell! Middle school was officially out for Mario Lopez and Courtney Lopez‘s oldest daughter in May. As Mario noted on Instagram, “Next stop, high school!”
Carys Douglas
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones‘ daughter graduated from Brown University with a degree in international and public affairs.
“The night before graduation,” Catherine wrote on May 26. “We are both such proud parents right now!! It’s only just begun!!”
Ella Gaines
On May 25, Joanna Gaines shared a rare video of her and Chip Gaines‘ daughter receiving her high school diploma, writing on Instagram, “So very proud.”
Ava Priestley
Vancouver native Jason Priestley was proud to see his daughter rock a Canucks tote bag to her high school graduation.
“Watching you grow into the strong, smart, compassionate young woman you are today has been one of life’s greatest joys,” his wife Naomi Priestley shared on Instagram May 27. “You’ve worked so hard, stayed true to yourself, and met every challenge with grace. We can’t wait to see the amazing things you’ll do next—the world is lucky to have you,”
Jessie Combs & D’Lila Combs
Amid Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ sex crimes trial in New York, his twin daughters with late ex Kim Porter graduated from Los Angeles’ famed Sierra Canyon School in late May.
The commencement ceremony was attended by all of the rapper’s kids, including Quincy Brown, Justin Combs, Christian “King” Combs, Chance Combs and Love Combs.
“Congrats,” Quincy wrote on Instagram Story. “I love you J & D!”
Carina Mariano
Just call her an faithful academic! “Boston Rob” Mariano and wife Amber Mariano‘s teen daughter graduated with a “top honor,” according to the Traitors alum.
“I was so overcome with emotion… I cried like a baby!!! I’m so proud,” he wrote on Instagram May 21. “#CarinaRose you are so kind and smart and beautiful, and you will succeed in whatever you do.”
Ava McIntosh
Cheers to Amy Robach, who celebrated her and ex-husband Tim McIntosh‘s daughter’s New York University graduation with a pint in May.
Rowan Henchy
Brooke Shields‘ pretty baby is all grown up! The actress and husband Chris Henchy saw their oldest daughter graduate from Wake Forest University.
“Watch out world, here she comes!” Brooke wrote on Instagram May 20, sharing a family photo that included her younger daughter Grier Henchy. “So proud of you, Rowan – our college graduate.”
Cy Busson
Elle Macpherson‘s son with ex Arpad Busson got his diploma from Babson College in May.
Calvin Goodman
The stepson of Tony Hawk graduated from Occidental College in May, with the skateboarder’s wife Catherine Goodman and her ex Matthew Goodman in attendance.
“To see Calvin reveling at his commencement today while his friends, his dad and his classmates cheered him on filled us with pride, just as it has the three previous times,” Tony—who is dad to kids Riley Hawk, Spencer Hawk, Keegan Hawk and Kadence Hawk from his past marriages—wrote on Instagram May 18. “The lessons and experience they each received helped to shape them into compassionate and motivated adults, ready to tackle the Great Unknown of real-life adulthood.”
Natalia Bryant
Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant‘s oldest daughter graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. During her May commencement ceremony, she honored her late dad by wearing his trademarked “Sheath” logo on her cardinal red and gold stole.
