35 Children of Famous Parents Who Are Celebrities in Their Own Right (2024)

Celebrities have always given their children a leg-up in Hollywood, giving them a distinct advantage as entertainers over those who enter show business without an impressive pedigree. But in recent years, there has been even more cultural discourse about the advantages of growing up with celebrity parents.

Actors, singers, and models who have benefited from nepotism and the connections of their famous parents have faced some criticism, but also captured legions of fans thanks to their natural talents. And many of them, from Emma Roberts to Allison Williams, have been asked to comment on their famous families’ roots—only adding to the curiosity about who on our TV and movie screens is actually the product of an old Hollywood upbringing.

Regardless of what you think about parents who open doors for their children in Hollywood, it makes sense that the kids of actors, singers, or directors would want to follow in their parents' footsteps. Here’s a look at just a few of the many stars that come from a long line of talented artists.

Celebrities with Famous Parents

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Robert Downey Jr.

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These days, Robert Downey Jr. is best known for his role in Marvel’s Iron Man series, but he first made a name for himself as one of the most recognizable actors of the 80s and 90s. Robert Downey Jr. is the son of actress Elsie Ford, who rose to fame in the late sixties and seventies, and Robert Downey Sr., an American film director and screenwriter. Downey Jr. paid tribute to his father’s life and career in a 2022 documentary titled Sr. He also recently won an Oscar for his role in Oppenheimer.

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Rashida Jones

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Rashida Jones is the daughter of award-winning actress Peggy Lipton, who starred as Julie Barnes in the crime drama The Mod Squad, and 28-time Grammy award winning record producer, songwriter, and musician Quincy Jones. Rashida is best known for her role in the hit NBC show Parks and Recreation, but she also starred in the TBS comedy Angie Tribeca, and has appeared in films like I Love You, Man, The Social Network, and more. She produced a documentary about her father called Quincy in 2018 that won a Grammy Award for Best Music Film.

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Dakota Johnson

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Dakota Johnson is the daughter of award winning actor Don Johnson, best known for his role in the 1980s hit show Miami Vice, and actress Melanie Griffith. Johnson’s grandmother is iconic Alfred Hitchco*ck collaborator Tippi Hedren, who appeared in The Birds and Marnie. Dakota Johnson is best known for her roles in 50 Shades of Grey and Madame Web.

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Lily-Rose Depp

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Model and actor Lily-Rose Depp is best known for her role in the HBO series The Idol and period dramas like The Dancer and The King. She has also served as an ambassador for Chanel, appearing in several of the label’s fashion shows, and in 2016 was named the face of the Chanel No. 5 fragrance. She is the daughter of award-winning actor Johnny Depp, and French singer, model, and actress Vanessa Paradis.

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Margaret Qualley

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Making her acting debut in 2013, Margaret Qualley is best known for her roles in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Maid, and Poor Things. She is the daughter of actress and model Andie MacDowell, who starred in such hit movies as St. Elmo’s Fire and Groundhog Day. Her father, Paul Qualley, is a model. Her sister Rainey is also a singer and actor.

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Jamie Lee Curtis

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Ultimate scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis is best known for her performances in Halloween, The Fog, True Lies, and Freaky Friday. Most people might be surprised to know that the beloved Hollywood star is the daughter of two iconic actors: her parents are Janet Leigh, who most people know for the famous shower scene in Psycho, and Tony Curtis, one of the most famous and prolific actors of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.

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Ben Platt

A Broadway star-turned-film actor, Ben Platt is best known for his roles in Pitch Perfect, The Politician, and Dear Evan Hansen. He is the son of Marc Platt, a producer with several Tony and Emmy awards to his name.

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Jack Quaid

The Boys star Jack Quaid started his career back in 2012 when he landed a minor role in The Hunger Games. He also is also one of the starring voice actors on the Star Trek spin-off Lower Decks. He is the son of rom-com star Meg Ryan, who has appeared in films like When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, and actor Dennis Quaid, who has appeared in films like The Parent Trap and The Day After Tomorrow.

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Kaia Gerber

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In addition to being the 2018 British Model of the Year, Kaia Gerber launched her acting career in 2016 with a role in Sister Cities. But she’s best known as one of the most recognizable high fashion models in the world, appearing on magazine covers and couture runways. She is the daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, who also founded tequila brand Casamigos with George Clooney.

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Gwyneth Paltrow

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The powerhouse businesswoman behind Goopand acclaimed, Oscar-winning actor Gwyneth Paltrow is best known for her roles in Seven, Shakespeare in Love, and Iron Man. She is the daughter of filmmaker Bruce Paltrow and Emmy award-winning actor Blythe Danner.

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Drew Barrymore

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Child star turned talk show host Drew Barrymore has appeared in dozens of your favorite films, including E.T., Charlie’s Angels, 50 First Dates, and more. She is a member of the esteemed Barrymore family, which is full of Hollywood greats, including her father John Drew Barrymore. All of her paternal great-grandparents and grandparents were actors, with her grandfather John Barrymore being the most well-known. Her godmother is actor Sophia Loren and her godfather is Steven Spielberg.

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Maude and Iris Apatow

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Best known for her role in Euphoria, Maude Apatow is the daughter of filmmaker Judd Apatow and actor Leslie Mann. Her sister, Iris Apatow, is also a rising actress. Both Maude and Iris appeared in their parent’s films This is 40, Funny People, and Knocked Up.

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Kate Hudson

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Born to singer Bill Hudson and actor Goldie Hawn, it’s no surprise that Kate Hudson grew up to be an acclaimed singer and actor herself. She is best known for her roles in Almost Famous, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and more. Although her mother is not married to her long-term partner, actor Kurt Russell, Kate considered Russell her father and is not close with her biological dad.

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Miley Cyrus

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Child star turned singer-songwriter, Miley Cyrus is the daughter of singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus and producer Tish Cyrus. Miley was once known for her Disney Channel show Hannah Montana where she starred alongside her father, but is now considered one of the most successful pop stars of her generation.

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Angelina Jolie

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Now one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood, Angelina Jolie has made a name for herself thanks to massive roles in films like Girl, Interrupted, which earned her an Academy Award. She also starred in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Maleficent. She is the daughter of actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand and the sister of actor James Haven. Her uncle is singer-songwriter Chip Taylor.

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Zoë Kravitz

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Best known for her roles in The Batman, Big Little Lies, and High Fidelity, Zoë Kravitz is the daughter of singer and actor Lenny Kravitz and actor Lisa Bonet. Her stepfather is actor Jason Momoa, and although Bonet and Momoa have recently separated, they share one child together, Zoë’s younger sister Lola.

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Emma Roberts

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Actor, singer, and producer Emma Roberts has been working in Hollywood since 2001. She was the lead role on Nickelodeon’s Unfabulous and has since starred in many other films,, including Aquamarine, Nancy Drew, Hotel for Dogs, and more. Most famously, she stars in a recurring role in American Horror Stories and Scream Queens. She is the daughter of actor Eric Roberts and the niece of Julia Roberts.

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Nicole Richie

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Reality TV star and actor Nicole Richie is best known for her early 2000s show The Simple Life. Her biological parents left her in the care of singer and TV personality Lionel Richie and his first wife Brenda Harvey Richie in the early ’80s. She was officially adopted when she was 9 years old. Lionel Richie’s 1986 song “Ballerina Girl” was written about her. Her sister is social media star Sofia Richie.

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Nicolas Cage

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Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage is a Hollywood icon, known for his roles in The Rock, Con Air, Face/Off, Gone in 60 Seconds, and the National Treasure films. He started acting in the early ’80s, and has gone on to win several awards, including an Academy Award and Golden Globe. He was born into the famed Coppola family. Director Francis Ford Coppola is his uncle and he is the cousin to both Roman and Sofia Coppola.

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Sofia Coppola

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Nicolas Cage’s cousin, Sofia Coppola, is the youngest child of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. Sofia is a film director, screenwriter, producer, and retired actor. She made her directorial debut in 1999 with the film The Virgin Suicides, which starred Kirsten Dunst. She also directed Marie Antionette, The Bling Ring, and Priscilla.

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Jennifer Aniston

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You might be surprised to learn the Friends star Jennifer Aniston has her own Hollywood pedigree. She now stars in The Morning Show, alongside Reese Witherspoon. Her father is Greek-born actor John Aniston, best known for his role on Days of Our Lives, and her mother is actor Nancy Dow.

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Phoebe Dynevor

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Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor is the daughter of screenwriter Tim Dynevor and actor Sally Dynevor, who is best known for her role on the long-running soap opera Coronation Street, in which she’s held her role as Sally Metcalfe since 1986.

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Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal

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Actor Jake is famous for his roles in The Day After Tomorrow, Donnie Darko, and Nightcrawler. He and his sister Maggie are the children of screenwriter Naomi Foner and film director Stephen Gyllenhaal. Maggie starred in The Dark Knight, and recently directed The Lost Daughter.

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Zooey and Emily Deschanel

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Sisters Zooey and Emily Deschanel are TV stars. Zooey is best known for her role in the hit show New Girl, while Emily starred in the show Bones. They are the daughters of cinematographer and director Caleb Deschanel and actor Mary Jo Dechanel, who appeared on the show Twin Peaks.

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Zoey Deutch

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Rising star Zoey Deutch, who has appeared in films like Zombieland: Double Tap, Beautiful Creatures, and Before I Fall, is the daughter of director Howard Deutch, who directed Pretty in Pink. Her mother is Lea Thompson, who starred in Back to the Future and Switched at Birth. She appeared in her mother’s directorial debut film The Year of Spectacular Men with her sister Madelyn and appeared in the film Mayor Cupcake alongside her mother and sister. She also had a small role in her mother’s show Switched at Birth.

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Ben Stiller

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Actor, filmmaker, and comedian Ben Stiller, whom you may know from Zoolander or Night at the Museum is the son of actors Jerry Stiller, who played now legendary roles on King of Queens and Seinfeld, and Anne Meare, who was nominated for four Emmy awards and a Tony Award. His parents were a part of the popular 1960s comedy group Stiller and Meara.

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Elle King

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Singer and actor Elle King is the daughter of comedian Rob Schneider. She made her acting debut in his film Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo. Schneider is best known for his time on Saturday Night Live and his roles in The Animal, The Hot Chick, and more. Her uncle is John Schneider, a film and TV producer.

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Tracee Ellis Ross

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Emmy nominated actor Tracee Ellis Ross, who is best known for her long-running lead roles in Girlfriends and Black-ish, is the daughter of singer and actor Diana Ross and music business producer Robert Ellis Silberstein.

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Liza Minelli

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Legendary singer and actor Liza Minelli is true Hollywood royalty. She is one of the few celebrities to ever achieve an EGOT, and is the daughter of actor Judy Garland, best known for her role in The Wizard of Oz, and Vincente Minnelli, a stage and film director. Her godparents were singer and actor Kay Thompson and lyricist Ira Gershwin, who is one of the namesakes of the famed Broadway theater.

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Billie Lourd

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You may know rising star Billie Lourd for her roles in Scream Queens, American Horror Story, and the Star Wars sequel trilogy. She is the daughter of Carrie Fisher, AKA Princess Leia in Star Wars, and the granddaughter of actor Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher. Her father is talent agent Bryan Lourd, and her uncles and aunts are all in show business.

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Allison Williams

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Daughter of former NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, Allison Williams is known for her role on HBO series Girls, which earned her a Critics' Choice Award nomination. She’s also starred in two horror movies, Get Out and M3GAN.

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Maya Hawke

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Maya Hawke is the daughter of Hollywood royalty: Her parents are Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. She first found fame for her recurring role in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, and has since appeared in high profile movies like Asteroid City and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

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Lily Collins

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You probably know Lily Collins for her role in the Netflix series Emily in Paris. She also starred in a re-telling of Snow White, called Mirror Mirror alongside Julia Roberts. Her dad is Phil Collins, lead singer of rock band Genesis, while his solo career earned him several top-forty hits in the 1980s, including well-known tracks like “In the Air Tonight.” He composed and wrote the soundtrack for the Disney movie, Tarzan, and one of the songs, “You’ll Be In My Heart,” was originally written as a lullaby for his daughter.

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Riley Keough

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Riley Keough starred in the Amazon Original series Daisy Jones and the Six as well as the Hulu series Under the Bridge. You might have also seen her in films like The Lodge and Mad Max: Fury Road. She is the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley—her grandfather is Elvis Presley.

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Liv Tyler

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Liv Tyler started out her career as a model, but quickly gained acclaim for her roles in movies like Empire Records and That Thing You Do! Her best known role might be as Arwen in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. She is the daughter of Steven Tyler, the lead singer of Aerosmith, and Bebe Buell, a model and former Playboy Playmate. She didn’t know that Tyler was her father until about the age of 10, when she asked her mom about her true paternity after recognizing their resemblance. The truth wasn’t revealed to the public until 1991, when she legally changed her last name to Tyler—father and daughter have since become close.