15 celebrities who have famous parents that you don’t know about

Hollywood is a sparkling world where often fame is hereditary, sometimes it is subtle and low key, and sometimes it is, well, a big deal. Some stars create their own names from scratch, others are born with it, having famous celebrities as their parents. You will be astonished to know that a lot of the popular names in the industry were born with serious star power already in their hands. Nepotism in Hollywood might not be a fresh topic of discussion today, but what is strange is that many of these celebs have developed their own identity, in spite of their golden surnames. Few even went on to completely drop their family name while few were grateful for their roots and added their own twist. Either way, they just demonstrated that talent may well be familial, but still, it requires hustle to make it big. Here is a list of 15 celebrities who have famous parents that you might not have known about.

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Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Golden Globe award in the category of Best Supporting Actress for her role in Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous (2000). You might also recognize her for her phenomenal performances in rom-coms like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Bride Wars, and Something Borrowed. However, one could say Kate’s talent in acting is genetic because her mother is none other than Goldie Hawn, the iconic actress, singer, producer who's won numerous accolades including the 42nd Academy Award for the film Cactus Flower. Kate's father, Bill Hudson was mainly a musician with a band of his own but he also stepped into the spotlight with a short-lived acting career, playing supporting roles in Hysterical, Zero to Sixty, and Big Shots. Moreover, Kate's longtime stepdad Kurt Russell, is a renowned actor as well, who's starred in several movies, especially memorable as 1970s Elvis.

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Dakota Johnson

Having earned an enviable reputation after her impressive performances in Cha Cha Real Smooth, the Fifty Shades franchise, The Lost Daughter, and the recently released Materialsists, among others, you will be surprised to know that Dakota Johnson was born into the glamour of Hollywood. She is the daughter of Golden Globe-winning actress Melanie Griffith, known for her acts in Working Girl and Body Double, and famous actor-songwriter Don Johnson, best known as Sonny from the classic 1980s TV show Miami Vice. Nevertheless, Dakota Johnson did not use her parents' influence to make her place in the film industry. She played minor roles in several films until her big exposure in The Social Network, and later landing the role of Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades of Grey. She prefers to be acknowledged for her own merits and achievements.

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Robert Downey Jr.

Our very own Iron Man is not just one of the most commercially successful actors in Hollywood but also comes from a high-profile family. Robert Downey Jr. is the son of eminent filmmaker and screenwriter, Robert Downey Sr. who was known for making unconventional movies like Putney Swope. His mother, Elsie Ford was a consistent collaborator in Downey Sr.'s projects, giving some of her most spectacular performances in Chafed Elbows, Two Tons Of Turquoise To Taos Tonight, and Greaser’s Palace. Robert Downey Sr. not only introduced his son to the world of cinema at a young age, but also exposed him to substance abuse. Thus, RDJ’s journey to the top has not always been very smooth, but he has nonetheless managed to bounce back from rock bottom through resilience and raw talent.

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Jennifer Aniston

The sweetheart of Hollywood, Jenner Anniston, was raised by two legendary actors, namely John Aniston, who played the character Victor Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives for over 30 years, and Nancy Dow, who is an actress and model with appearances on several television shows in the 1960s and 1970s. Jen became a global icon after her sensational performance as Rachel Green in the famous 90s sitcom, Friends, with fans going gaga over the character’s iconic outfits and signature haircuts. She went on to star in a number of rom-coms such as The Break-Up, Just Go With It, and Marley & Me, as well as more serious roles in recent years, like The Morning Show.

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Angelina Jolie

You are familiar with Angelina Jolie as an Oscar-winning actress, a fierce social worker, and part of the famous Brangelina duo, but what people fail to keep in mind though, is that stardom runs in her blood. Jon Voight, her father, is a two time nominee and winner of the Oscar for his striking performance in Coming Home, and her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, was an actress cum producer whose passion for global causes is something Jolie obviously inherited. Angelina Jolie’s first film debut was as a child in 1982, in the film, Lookin’ to Get Out, where she shared the screen with her father. Her most acclaimed role is obviously in Girl, Interrupted that earned her the Academy Award but she's also a fan favourite because of her performance in Tomb Raider, Maleficent, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and many more.

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Chris Pine

Whether it is the irresistible Captain Kirk in the Star Trek movies, the soulful Steve Trevor in the Wonder Woman series, or the man who somehow made a medieval tunic look hot in Dungeons and Dragons, Chris Pine has proven that he can literally pull off any look (and outfit). And maybe it all comes so naturally to him because he was born in a star-studded household. His dad is Robert Pine, who appeared as Sergeant Joseph Getraer in the 70s TV hit CHiPs, while his mother, Gwynne Gilford, was once an actress but later shifted her career focus to psychotherapy. Chris also donned a few smaller roles before his breakthrough in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot. He is a remarkable actor no doubt, but his background definitely plays a role in it.

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Maude and Iris Apatow

Maude and Iris Apatow are not only a talented sibling duo but two of the youngest emerging stars in Hollywood born to famous parents. Their father is Judd Apatow, the comedy genius who directed films like Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin, and their mom, Leslie Mann, has delivered some of the funniest and most hilarious performances in The Other Woman, The Change-Up, and This is 40. Maude Apatow is widely popular for the role of Lexi Howard in Euphoria that won hearts because of the character’s witty, soft-spoken, and thoughtful nature, and not to forget the viral school play. On the other hand, Iris served chaotic teen energy in the 2016 Netflix series: Love, that fans absolutely adored. Fun fact: all four have worked together in This is 40.

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Margaret Qualley

There is a high chance that you will end up ugly crying by the third episode of Netflix's Maid, and it will be solely because of Margaret Qualley’s brilliant acting. She also appeared in blockbusters like The Substance, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Poor Things. And it is no secret that this raw talent of hers may be a family trait. Maragaret is the daughter of the 90s rom-com queen Andie MacDowell, who you might know from Groundhog Day, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Andie MacDowell was also a well-known model, featuring in campaigns for Calvin Klein and representing L'Oréal. But what's cooler is that Andie also stars alongside Maragaret, her real-life daughter, in Maid.

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Maya Hawke

Maya Hawke has turned out to be an instant hit with the fans from the moment she stepped on to the popular sci-fi series on Netflix, Stranger Things (Season 3). But it is in her genes to win hearts so quick since she is the daughter of two absolute legends: Uma Thurman from Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction, and Ethan Hawke from the Before trilogy and Dead Poets Society. As you can now guess, her mother was a muse of Quentin Tarantino, and her father went from being an indie film darling to taking up more serious roles, while Maya brings something completely different yet refreshingly original to the table.

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Gwyneth Paltrow

Currently upheld as one of the most iconic actresses in Hollywood and proprietor of the famed lifestyle and wellness brand, Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow is the daughter of two leading figures in film industry, director-producer Bruce Paltrow and two-time Emmy, and Tony-winner Blythe Danner. From playing early roles like Iron Man’s lover Pepper to the innocent Tracy Mills in Fincher’s Seven, Gwyneth not only showcased her versatility as an outstanding actress but also made her own path that is outside the reach of the shadows of her parents. It was her mesmerising performance in Shakespeare in Love that brought her the Academy Award for Best Actress.

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Taylor Dearden

You must have seen Taylor Dearden in Sweet/Vicious on Netflix, where she portrays the character Ophelia Mayer, or in the medical procedural drama The Pitt, playing the role of Dr. King, but she also made an appearance in one of the episodes of Breaking Bad, yes, the same Breaking Bad that led her father, Bryan Cranston, to become a household name in television. The man who played Walter White, the Emmy-winning character, is Taylor’s real-life father. And her mother, Robin Dearden, is also an actress who delivered notable performances in television series like Magnum, P.I., Magic Mongo, and Generations.

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Cazzie David

Cazzie David is the daughter of one of the greatests in the comedy department: Larry David, the co-creator of NBC’s Seinfeld and originator of the HBO sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her mother, Laurie David, has carved out her own status as a leading voice in environmental activism, and has also co-produced the Academy Award-winning documentary film, An Inconvenient Truth. Cazzie’s can be seen in the comedy fim Stealing Pulp Fiction, and in Netflix's The Umbrella Academy as Jayme. She had debuted as an actor in I Love You Forever, which she had co-written and directed as well.

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Toby Stephens

Toby Stephens has not just established himself as a talented actor on screen through his mind-blowing performance as the youngest Bond villain Gustav Graves against Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day, but has also rightfully upheld the revered legacy of his parents. Toby is the son of two legendary British actors: Maggie Smith, most famous as the stern yet soft-hearted Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films and the fierce Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey and Sir Robert Stephens, who was a big name at the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain. Maggie Smith bagged numerous accolades and nominations throughout her career, including two Oscar wins. Toby also nailed the role of Edward Rochester in Jane Eyre, Captain Flint in Black Sails, John Robinson in Lost in Space, and most recently, played the mysterious part of Poseidon in Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

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Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal is famous worldwide because of his roles in Donnie Darko, Brokeback Mountain, Nightcrawler and Zodiac. But behind those passion-filled eyes and charming demeanor is a family history deeply rooted in the world of film and fiction. Jake Gyllenhaal’s father is director Stephen Gyllenhaal who delivered extraordinary films like Paris Trout, Family of Spies, and series like Twins Peaks. His mother, Naomi Foner is also an filmmaker who was Oscar-nominated for her work Running on Empty. While growing up, Jake portrayed small parts in some of his father's projects, including City Slickers, A Dangerous Woman, and an episode of Homicide.

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Lily Collins

Lily Collins is the daughter of the music legend, Phil Collins, who was the lead singer of the 1960s rock band Genesis, with some of his most hit singles being "In the Air Tonight" and "One More Night." Her mother, Jill Tavelman, is known for her appearance in the 1994 Television series, Extra. Lily Collins has made a name as an enthralling performer as the main star of the Netflix series Emily in Paris, for which she got nominated for a Golden Globe award in 2021. However, before the show, she was famous for her performances in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, Love, Rosie, Rules Don't Apply, and To the Bone. She is a fashion icon, as well as an author of the memoir titled Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me.