Hollywood has always been a family business, with talent often passing from one generation to the next. Some of the biggest names in film and TV today grew up watching their parents walk red carpets and accept awards.
It turns out that having a famous mom or dad can open doors, but these actors have proven they have what it takes to stand on their own. From action heroes to indie darlings, here are 18 actors who happen to have very well-known parents.
1. Dakota Johnson
Born into Hollywood royalty, Dakota Johnson is the daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, two of the biggest stars of the 1980s. Growing up with two famous parents could have been overwhelming, but Dakota used it as fuel.
She broke out in a massive way with the blockbuster ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ series. Since then, she has taken on bold, artsy roles in films like ‘Suspiria’ and ‘The Lost Daughter,’ proving she is far more than just a famous last name.
2. Lily-Rose Depp
With a father like Johnny Depp and a mother like French pop icon Vanessa Paradis, Lily-Rose Depp was practically born on a movie set. She grew up between Los Angeles and Paris, giving her a uniquely international perspective on life and art.
Her film work in ‘The King’ alongside Timothee Chalamet and ‘A Faithful Man’ shows real range. She also made waves in the HBO Max series ‘The Idol,’ cementing her status as a serious performer in her own right.
3. Maya Hawke
Imagine having both Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke as your parents — the acting genes practically write themselves. Maya Hawke stepped into the spotlight with her fan-favorite role as Robin Buckley in Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things,’ instantly winning over audiences with her sharp wit and charm.
She also appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,’ sharing the screen with some of the biggest names in the business. On top of acting, Maya has also released her own music albums.
4. Colin Hanks
Being Tom Hanks’s son means living with some very high expectations, but Colin Hanks has handled the pressure with quiet confidence. He made his mark early with the comedy film ‘Orange County’ and built a steady career across both film and television.
His most acclaimed role came in the TV series ‘Fargo,’ where he played a morally conflicted deputy with surprising depth. Colin has shown that thoughtful, character-driven performances run in the family, even if his path has been distinctly his own.
5. Liv Tyler
Few celebrity origin stories are as fascinating as Liv Tyler’s. She is the daughter of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and model Bebe Buell, and she did not even know her real father’s identity until she was a teenager.
Despite the complicated family history, Liv turned that energy into incredible screen presence.
Her roles in ‘Armageddon’ and the beloved ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy made her a household name. She later starred in the HBO series ‘The Leftovers,’ showing real emotional depth.
6. Zoe Kravitz
Cool, fearless, and effortlessly stylish — that pretty much sums up Zoe Kravitz. She is the daughter of rock legend Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet, which means she basically inherited a double dose of artistic talent.
Zoe has built an impressive resume with roles in the ‘X-Men’ franchise, ‘Big Little Lies,’ and ‘High Fidelity.’ Her most iconic turn came when she played Catwoman opposite Robert Pattinson in ‘The Batman’ in 2022, earning widespread critical praise for her magnetic performance.
7. Jaden Smith
Jaden Smith made his film debut at just eight years old alongside his father Will Smith in ‘The Pursuit of Happyness.’ That early experience gave him a head start that most young actors can only dream about. His mother, Jada Pinkett Smith, is also a well-known actress and TV personality.
He later starred in the remake of ‘The Karate Kid’ in 2010, which became a major box office hit. Beyond acting, Jaden has also carved out a unique lane as a musician and fashion icon.
8. Bryce Dallas Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard grew up watching her father, legendary director Ron Howard, shape some of Hollywood’s most beloved films. Rather than step behind the camera first, she chose acting — and it paid off beautifully.
She delivered a haunting performance in M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘The Village’ and later became a global action star in the ‘Jurassic World’ franchise.
Bryce has also directed episodes of ‘The Mandalorian,’ showing she inherited her father’s storytelling instincts after all.
9. Mamie Gummer
When your mother is Meryl Streep, the acting bar is set at a practically unreachable height. Mamie Gummer has not only accepted that challenge but has done so with grace and genuine skill.
She even starred alongside her mother in the film ‘Evening.’
Television audiences got to know her through the medical drama ‘Emily Owens, M.D.’ and the thriller series ‘The Good Wife.’ Mamie has developed her own quiet intensity on screen, earning respect as a performer entirely on her own terms.
10. Scott Eastwood
Scott Eastwood looks so much like his father Clint Eastwood that it is almost impossible to separate the two at first glance. But Scott has worked hard to build a career that stands on its own merits, not just on a famous resemblance.
He has appeared in big-budget films like ‘Suicide Squad,’ ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising,’ and ‘Fast and Furious 8.’ Scott often gravitates toward tough, action-heavy roles — perhaps a natural fit for someone raised by one of cinema’s most iconic tough guys.
11. Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson practically exploded onto the scene with her Oscar-nominated performance in ‘Almost Famous,’ and audiences immediately fell in love with her radiant energy. Her mother is Oscar-winning actress Goldie Hawn, and her stepfather is actor Kurt Russell — so Hollywood is literally home for her.
Kate went on to star in a string of beloved romantic comedies, including ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.’ She has also found huge success as a businesswoman with her Fabletics activewear brand.
12. Angelina Jolie
Long before she became one of the most recognizable faces on the planet, Angelina Jolie was simply the daughter of Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight. Their relationship has been famously rocky over the years, but no one can deny that acting talent flows through their shared bloodline.
Angelina won her own Oscar for ‘Girl, Interrupted’ and became a global superstar through the ‘Lara Croft’ and ‘Maleficent’ franchises. She is also celebrated worldwide for her humanitarian work with the United Nations.
13. Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen grew up surrounded by Hollywood royalty — his father is acclaimed actor Martin Sheen, and his brother Emilio Estevez is also a well-known performer. Charlie became one of the highest-paid actors on television during his run on ‘Two and a Half Men.’
Before his TV fame, he starred in Oliver Stone’s ‘Platoon’ and ‘Wall Street,’ delivering genuinely impressive dramatic performances. His life has been wildly turbulent and well-documented, making him one of Hollywood’s most talked-about personalities for decades.
14. Rashida Jones
Rashida Jones has a charm and comedic timing that feels completely natural — and maybe it is, given that her father is legendary music producer Quincy Jones and her mother is actress Peggy Lipton. She grew up surrounded by both music and Hollywood storytelling.
Fans adore her as Ann Perkins from the hit comedy ‘Parks and Recreation.’ She has also appeared in ‘The Office’ and co-wrote the indie film ‘Celeste and Jesse Forever,’ showing her talents extend well beyond just performing.
15. Domhnall Gleeson
Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson has quietly become one of the most sought-after performers of his generation. His father, Brendan Gleeson, is one of Ireland’s most respected and celebrated actors, known for films like ‘In Bruges’ and the ‘Harry Potter’ series.
Domhnall has appeared in an impressive range of films, from ‘Ex Machina’ and ‘Brooklyn’ to ‘The Revenant’ and ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens.’ Interestingly, both father and son appeared together in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise, making them a true acting duo.
16. Miley Cyrus
Before she became a global pop icon, Miley Cyrus was already living a double life — as both a regular kid and a Disney Channel superstar. Her father, country music legend Billy Ray Cyrus, helped launch her career when she landed the role of Miley Stewart on ‘Hannah Montana.’
She has since reinvented herself multiple times as a musician and performer. Though acting has taken a back seat to music in recent years, her early television work made her one of the most recognized young talents of her generation.
17. Laura Dern
Laura Dern has been acting since she was a child, and with parents like Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd — both Oscar-nominated actors — it is no surprise that storytelling is in her blood. What is remarkable is how she has completely surpassed expectations at every stage of her career.
From ‘Jurassic Park’ to ‘Wild’ to ‘Big Little Lies,’ Laura has delivered unforgettable performances across every genre. She finally won her own Oscar for ‘Marriage Story’ in 2020, a deeply deserved recognition of her extraordinary talent.
18. Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller basically grew up on a comedy set — his parents are Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, both beloved comedians and actors who appeared on television for decades. Watching them work gave Ben an early and very real education in comic timing and performance.
He went on to direct and star in some of the most beloved comedies of the past 30 years, including ‘Zoolander,’ ‘Meet the Parents,’ and ‘Tropic Thunder.’ Ben has also earned praise for his dramatic work, proving that funny and serious can absolutely coexist.