These 24 Hollywood Families Know A Thing Or Two About Nepotism
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While there's nothing better than a good rags-to-riches story, Hollywood will always be the land of shameless nepotism. Talented or not, a recognizable last name is enough to open a world of opportunities, and these families have made the most of it for generations.
1.The Barrymore Dynasty
Drew Barrymore has been an actress since childhood and is known for films like E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Charlie's Angels, and 50 First Dates. Despite being the most recognizable, Drew is far from the only famous Barrymore. As a matter of fact, keeping track of all the successful Barrymores is harder than you'd think.
Lionel Barrymore was an Academy Award winner best known as Mr. Potter in 1946's It's a Wonderful Life and Ethel Barrymore won an Oscar for 1944's None But the Lonely Heart. Their brother John (Drew's grandfather), was a popular actor who starred in the 1922 version of William Shakespeare's Hamlet. He married Dolores Costello, once known as the "Goddess of the Silent Screen," and yes, her parents were actors as well.
Drew's father, John Drew Barrymore, never made it big, but he acted in several films and television shows. Her mother Jaid occasionally acted, but is mostly known for her complicated relationship with Drew.
2.The Kardashian-Jenners
The Kardashian-Jenner clan is one of the first families most people think of when you mention generational fame. You could probably name at least eight of them off the top of your head, whether you'd like to admit it or not. This is all due to matriarch Kris Jenner's relentless pursuit of fame and attention-worthy business opportunities.
As they say, the devil works hard, but Kris Jenner works harder.
3.The Baldwins
Alec is considered the most popular of his siblings, namely for his role as Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock, but the Baldwins boast several famous family members. Alec's daughter with actress Kim Basinger, Ireland Baldwin, is a successful model. Stephen Baldwin has been a working actor since the '80s and he's the father of Hailey Bieber, who has a thriving modeling career of her own.
Daniel Baldwin has a lengthy acting resume and once hosted The Daniel Baldwin Show on a radio station in Syracuse. William Baldwin has been doing relatively well, with his most notable projects being 1991's Backdraft and playing William van der Woodsen in the original Gossip Girl series.
4.The Jacksons
The Jackson family needs no introduction, largely thanks to Janet and Michael Jackson, two of the most iconic pop stars in music history. Patriarch Joe Jackson was a talent manager, leading his family to enormous success, though abuse allegations plagued him for decades. His sons Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael once formed The Jackson 5, releasing timeless classics like "ABC" and "I Want You Back."
The third generation of the Jackson family is extensive, spanning nearly 30 members, some who have kids of their own. The most well-known of the bunch is Paris Jackson, the only daughter of Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe. She's a model, actress, singer, and musician.
5.The Huston Family
Anjelica Huston's portrayal of Morticia Addams is one of the most iconic performances ever, but she's not the only talented person in her family. Huston patriarch Walter won an Oscar for 1948's The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, which was directed by his son John Huston. John is Anjelica's father, but his son, Danny Huston, is also an award-winning actor and director.
John Huston is considered one of the greatest screenwriters and directors of all time due to his work on classics like Moulin Rouge. Anjelica's nephew, Jack Huston, boasts acting credits on films like House of Gucci and The Irishman, but he's better known for his role on the TV series Boardwalk Empire.
6.The Osbournes
Heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne was once notorious for his questionable antics and addiction struggles. His wife Sharon is a TV personality, music manager, and author. Their family, including kids Jack and Kelly, became household names in the early 2000s thanks to an MTV reality show.
However, Sharon's father was also a prominent figure in the music industry. Don Arden was a music manager, agent, and businessman, managing the careers of rock acts like Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Black Sabbath, among others.
7.The Smiths
Will and Jada are such an iconic couple that it's not even necessary to mention their last name. Despite the awkward information they continue to share about their relationship, the legacy they've built is undeniable. Naturally, their children are following in their artistic footsteps.
Jaden Smith is a rapper who also starred in films like The Karate Kid and The Pursuit of Happyness. Willow Smith made her acting debut in 2007's I Am Legend, though she's focusing more on her music career as of late. Trey Smith has a handful of IMDb credits, but he's primarily known for being a DJ. Jada's brother, Caleeb Pinkett, is a producer and actor who's been involved in projects like Men in Black 3 and the Cobra Kai TV show.
8.The Cyrus Family
The Cyrus family's public life goes as far back as Ron Cyrus, Billy Ray's father, an American politician who was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1975 until he retired in 1996. Billy Ray is a singer and actor, best known for his hit single "Achy Breaky Heart."
Miley Cyrus was made a household name by the Disney sitcom Hannah Montana and later become the subject of controversy for various reasons. Her brother Trace had a major hit titled "Shake It" with his band Metro Station and continues to occasionally release music. Youngest sibling Noah is also pursuing a music career.
9.The Coppolas
Francis Ford (director of the legendary Godfather movies) and his daughter Sofia (who won an Oscar for writing Lost in Translation) might be the first names that come to mind when you hear the name Coppola, but their family is one of the most notable in Hollywood history.
Francis's sister, Talia Shire, starred as Connie Corleone in The Godfather films and as Adrian Balboa in the Rocky series. Talia’s son, Jason Schwartzman, is a widely known actor and has starred in several critically-acclaimed projects. Sofia's older brother Roman is a producer and writer. However, the most popular actor in the family is Oscar-winning icon Nicolas Cage (real name Nicolas Coppola), son of August Coppola, who is Francis and Talia’s older brother.
10.The Russell/Hawn/Hudson Family
Goldie Hawn was a noteworthy actress for decades — from the late 1960s into the early 2000s. Her two children with musician/actor Bill Hudson, Kate (Almost Famous) and Oliver (Dawson's Creek), have experienced impressive careers in Hollywood.
Of course, Goldie Hawn has been with legendary actor Kurt Russell since 1983. Their son Wyatt is known for films like 22 Jump Street and stars in the Marvel TV series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
11.The Sutherlands
Donald Sutherland is an incredibly talented performer who's been in the industry since the 1960s. His son, Kiefer Sutherland, has worked on films, TV shows (notably as Jack Bauer on 24), and even video games.
Kiefer's daughter, Sarah, is also an actress, playing Julia Louis-Dreyfus' daughter on Veep.
12.The Estevez/Sheen Family
Martin Sheen has appeared in countless projects since the 1950s, his most recent being a prominent role in TV series Grace and Frankie. His eldest son, Emilio Estevez, starred in iconic films like The Breakfast Club and The Mighty Ducks. Emilio's two children, Paloma and Taylor, are also involved in the entertainment industry.
Charlie Sheen is the most notorious member of the family (remember his "winning" era?), but he had memorable roles on shows like Anger Management and Two and a Half Men.
13.The Wayans Family
The Wayans family is a comedic powerhouse and they've been making people laugh for decades. Keenen Ivory Wayans created and hosted the wildly successful '90s comedy series In Living Color. Damon Wayans starred in popular sitcom My Wife and Kids, among other things. Marlon starred in films like White Chicks and Scary Movie alongside his brother Shawn Wayans.
Damon's son, Damon Jr., has also had a solid acting career, appearing in shows like My Wife and Kids and New Girl.
14.The Reynolds/Fishers
Singer/actor Eddie Fisher was once married to actress Debbie Reynolds (Singin' in the Rain), who gave birth to Carrie Fisher, the beloved actress who played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars films. Joely Fisher (The Mask, Inspector Gadget), daughter of Eddie and actress Connie Stevens, has also benefitted from a fruitful acting career.
Carrie's daughter, Billie Lourd, found success on shows like American Horror Story and Scream Queens. In a heartwarming nod to her mother's legacy, she played Lieutenant Connix in two Star Wars films.
15.The Fondas
Henry Fonda was a true gem during his peak, starring in timeless films like 12 Angry Men and The Grapes of Wrath. His son Peter had prominent roles in 1969's Easy Rider and 2007's 3:10 to Yuma. Peter is the father of actress Bridget Fonda, who has been married to legendary composer and songwriter Danny Elfman since 2003.
However, the most famous Fonda these days is Jane, an Oscar winner, political activist, and one of the best actresses of her generation.
16.The Garland/Minnellis
Judy Garland, star of 1939's The Wizard of Oz and 1954's A Star Is Born, is Liza Minnelli's mother. It doesn't get any more iconic than that. Liza's father is esteemed stage and film director Vincent Minelli. The talent runs deep in this family, so of course Liza's half-sister, Lorna Luft, was also an actress.
17.The Howards
Ron Howard is a wildly popular director and actor, but the filmmaking genes stemmed from his father, actor Rance Howard. Ron's brother Clint also began acting at a very young age.
Bryce Dallas Howard has been following in her father Ron's footsteps, starring in films like The Village, Spider-Man 3, and Jurassic World. She also directed two episodes of The Mandalorian (the series that gave us Baby Yoda... or, "Grogu").
18.The Redgrave/Richardsons
The Redgrave/Richardson family rivals the Barrymores in terms of generational fame. English stage actor Roy Redgrave passed away in 1922 before he could make a name for himself. However, his son Michael Redgrave was an Oscar-nominated actor in the 1950s and '60s.
Michael's children, Vanessa, Lynn, and Corin, all had incredible acting careers, with Vanessa being the most famous of the bunch. Vanessa's daughters, Joely and Natasha Richardson, were both successful in their own right. Joely starred in films like Event Horizon and shows like Nip/Tuck. Sadly, Natasha passed away after a skiing accident in 2009. One of her most iconic roles was Elizabeth James in 1998's The Parent Trap.
19.The Griffith/Johnson/Banderas Family
Dakota Johnson skyrocketed to A-list status as the face of the Fifty Shades franchise, but her family tree has always been fascinating. Her maternal grandparents are Peter Griffith, (who deviated from acting as an adult) and Tippi Hedren, star of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds.
Dakota's father is Don Johnson (Miami Vice, Knives Out) and her mother is Melanie Griffith (Working Girl, Lolita), while half-sister, Stella, is the daughter Antonio Banderas, who was once married to Melanie.
20.The Beckhams
David Beckham and his wife Victoria are as iconic as a Hollywood couple can get. The former is one of the most respected soccer players of all time (remember Bend It Like Beckham?) and the latter rose to fame as Posh Spice of the Spice Girls but is now a fashion designer.
Their three sons, Brooklyn, Cruz, and Romeo, are each pursuing careers in entertainment. Cruz is constantly working on new music and Romeo is following in his father's footsteps as a soccer player. Brooklyn has dipped his toes in photography and modeling, but is now giving cooking a try. He's also in a long-term relationship with Nicola Peltz, actress and daughter of billionaire investor Nelson Peltz.
21.The Roberts Family
No matter what generation you're from, most people are familiar with a famous Roberts or two. Betty Lou Bredemus was an actress and acting coach and her daughter is the Julia Roberts. Julia's sister, Lisa Roberts Gillan, is an actress and producer.
Their brother, Eric Roberts, has an insanely long list of IMDb credits, appearing in the most random projects you could imagine (The Human Centipede III, The Dark Knight, Mariah Carey music videos. You name it, he's done it). His daughter Emma Roberts is just as successful, playing major roles in shows like American Horror Story and films like We're The Millers.
22.The Ritters
Tex Ritter was a pioneer of American country music and has over 70 acting credits to his name. His son John became a star in the '70s sitcom Three's Company and starred in films like Bad Santa and Bride of Chucky. John's son Jason is the latest generation of Hollywood Ritters, voicing Ryder in Frozen II and starring in a variety of movies and TV shows.
23.The Clooneys
Everyone knows who George Clooney is, but not many people are aware of his family's history in the entertainment industry. Singer Rosemary Clooney and her equally talented sister, Betty, formed the "Clooney Sisters" in 1947. Two years later, Rosemary left music for acting and got casted in 1954’s White Christmas. She had five children with Oscar-winning actor Jose Ferrer, including Miguel Ferrer, an actor who now stars in NCIS: Los Angeles.
Rosemary's brother is Nick Clooney, a journalist, anchorman, and television host. And Nick is, of course, George's father.
24.The Gwynne/Pine Family
Chris Pine can thank his grandmother, Anne Gwynne, for his ridiculously good looks. She was a Texas beauty queen and pinup girl who acted in many films and TV shows throughout the 1940s and '50s. Her daughter (Chris Pine's mother) Gwynne Gilford acted in film and television before becoming a psychotherapist.
Gilford's husband, Robert Pine, is still a working actor, though his most notable role was Sgt. Joseph Getraer on CHiPs.
Don’t miss Sam Claflin in the new rom com Book of Love from BuzzFeed Studios, coming to Amazon Prime Video February 4th and Sky Cinema February 12th.
