Ryan Phillippe Recalls Meeting Nelson Mandela with Ava

Ryan Phillippe heads into Craig’s Restaurant for dinner on Wednesday evening (December 4) in West Hollywood, Calif.

The next day, the 39-year-old actor tweeted his reaction to the death of Nelson Mandela and recalled getting to meet him over ten years ago with his daughter Ava.

“What an amazing life lead by Madiba. A light & inspiration to the world,” Ryan tweeted. “The privilege of spending a small amount of private time w/ Mr. Mandela as he held my baby daughter, is a highlight of my life. Mandela was bouncing Ava, then two yrs old, on his knee & called her, “future leader”. I couldn’t believe it in that moment. I still can’t.”