EntertainmentReese Witherspoon and daughter Ava Phillippe look nearly identical in birthday tribute photo

Ava Phillippe has never looked more like her mother, Reese Witherspoon.

The young star celebrated her 20th birthday today and her famous mum was quick to praise her on Instagram.

"Watching your little girl grow into a gorgeous, thoughtful, compassionate, fun-loving young woman defies words," Witherspoon captioned a current and childhood pic of Ava with a red bow in her hair. No surprises that little Ava looked near identical to her mum in the adorable throwback shot.

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Ava Phillippe looks just like her mum Reese Witherspoon in this throwback photo shared by the actress.

2/3 SLIDES © Instagram

The proud mum also shared this photo of Ava on Instagram Stories.

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Witherspoon promoting her movie Fear back in 1997.

"It has got to be the greatest gift I could ever receive," the 43-year-old actress added. "I love you @avaphillippe to the moon, around the stars and back! Happy 20th!"

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Nicole Kidman says she and Reese Witherspoon are "exploring" a third season of 'Big Little Lies'

Happy Birthday Ava Phillippe ! The daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe celebrated her 18th birthday on Saturday, and her parents were there to shower their little girl with birthday wishes on social media. Phillippe shared a series of photos for his little girl's birthday

because Reese Witherspoon 's daughter , Ava Phillippe is a dead ringer for her famous mama! Reese had one long curl draped over the right side of her face while Ava opted for a center part with her Her Emotional Last Day With Jennifer Ansiton. View photos . Earlier this week, Reese shared a

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Ava — who is Witherspoon's daughter with her actor ex-husband Ryan Phillippe — responded to the greeting, commenting, "Love you so much, mama."

Back in July, Ava didn't need a reason to pay tribute to her mother on social media. The University of California, Berkeley student revealed on Instagram that her mum was her inspiration.

"This is the gorgeous woman who taught me about the power of graciousness, love, ambition, and hard work," Ava captioned a candid photo of Witherspoon putting her earrings on. "She inspires me everyday to live with gratitude for the life I've been given and compassion for others. I'm thinking about her a little extra today, that's all."

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Reese Witherspoon called to testify against Ryan Phillippe

Reese Witherspoon is celebrating her daughter Ava Phillippe 's milestone 21st birthday . The actress, 44, marked the special occasion with several sweet snaps of her mini-me on Wednesday, including one of Ava as a baby. The sweet, black-and-white snap captured baby Ava wearing a party hat while

Reese Witherspoon shared a cute selfie with her 17-year-old daughter , Ava , on Wednesday, and to say the mother- daughter duo look On Wednesday, she shared a sweet photo of her and her husband, Jim Toth, celebrating their son Tennessee's fourth birthday alongside the actress' two kids

The Big Little Lies star was equally complimentary, responding with, "How did I get so lucky to have a daughter like you?"

Although the mother and daughter are spending less time together now — Ava currently lives in a dorm at her college campus — their bond remains in tact.

"It's weird when your children go away to college. It's hard. I never imagined how it felt for my mum," Witherspoon revealed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in May. "I might have gone into her empty room, laid down on her bed, and cried."

Pictures: Celebs with lookalike kids