Top 10 Celeb Nepotism Babies Who Deserve the Fame

Miley rose to fame alongside her dad, country music artist Billy Ray Cyrus. When Miley was cast in the Disney Channel show “Hannah Montana,” her real-life dad played her television dad “Robby Ray.” Fans of Billy Ray might recognize the characters’ similarities, including the not-so-fictional reference to the chart-topping song “Achy Breaky Heart.” It’s obvious that outside of the family name, Billy Ray’s passion for music massively influenced Miley’s career. The Disney Channel star continued to forge her own path in acting, philanthropy, and music. With multiple chart-toppers of her own and a diverse discography, Miley’s vocal talent and stage presence is undeniable.

For the Gyllenhaals, the film business truly is a family trade. While Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal are both well known for their careers as popular actors with multiple blockbusters between them, their parents are also prominent industry figures. Their father, Stephen Gyllenhaal, has directed award-winning film and television, while their mother, Naomi Foner, is an award-winning screenwriter. While their kids' careers in the industry might seem natural, Jake said his parents initially made him turn down roles so he could experience life as a “normal kid.” Yet, Maggie still said her mother played a large role in encouraging her creativity growing up. In passing on their wisdom, it’s clear that the Gyllenhaals’ influence paid off in the long run for the talented celebrity siblings.

While it might seem daunting to live up to the legacy of a Supreme, Tracee Ellis Ross didn’t feel like her mother’s celebrity status was ever overwhelming. Rather than feeling like she was trapped in Diana Ross’ shadow, Tracee felt like she lived in Diana’s “embrace.” Tracee has established an impressive career of her own between working as an actor, helming a beauty business, and still making waves as a model and style inspiration. Tracee has said her mother always gave her and her siblings, who have all worked in the industry, the freedom to dream up their own unique futures. In response to her unique opportunity and position, Tracee has worked to make a valuable and meaningful impact through her public influence.

While most people grow up with their parents' old sports trophies on the shelf, Dakota Johnson’s parents, actors Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, are both Golden Globe recipients. Dakota is the third generation of a matriarchy of Hollywood success. To her, Tippi Hedren, the legendary star of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” is grandma. However, Dakota has said that her parents initially discouraged her from acting. Yet, after growing up on film sets, she couldn’t imagine herself choosing a different career path. Now, Johnson is best known for her leading role in the "Fifty Shades" series (or maybe for her infamous Ellen interview), as she continues to rack up acting credits after capturing the public's attention in a bold fashion.

In some instances, nepotism extends beyond industry names to Hollywood royalty. While Kirk Douglas may have had a less than savory reputation in Hollywood, his impact on the industry has been recognized by both the Academy and the American Film Institute. He was a star of the 1950’s silver screen with several box office smashes under his belt. Michael has followed in his father’s footsteps as a modern-day movie star, and even directly borrowed from his father’s legacy by taking on his rights to develop a film adaptation of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Outside of his father’s legacy, Michael is well-known for being an Emmy winner, an Academy Award winner, and an MCU star.

While the connection between Laura Dern and her father, actor Bruce Dern, is fairly obvious, many were surprised to learn that Laura Dern’s mother is actually famous actress Diane Ladd. Together, the Derns’ made history as the first family to have neighboring stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Laura and her mom then made Academy history when they were both nominated for Academy Awards for their film “Rambling Rose.” Yet, Dern doesn’t skate by or fade into the shadow of her movie star father and BAFTA Award-winning mother. Laura Dern is highly regarded outside of her family name for everything from her role in Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” to her Academy Award-winning performance for “Marriage Story.”

Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher, and Billie Lourd. While they don’t share a surname, each of these actresses ended up following in their mothers’ footsteps. Debbie Reynolds, the untouchable starlet known for “Singin’ in the Rain,” was honored with a SAG Lifetime Achievement Award, and her daughter is no less influential. Carrie Fisher remains widely beloved for her role as Princess Leia in “Star Wars.” While Fisher initially resisted being known as “Debbie Reynolds’ daughter,” Billie Lourd thought differently. She even talks about the excitement of carrying on the “family hairstyle” with her own “Star Wars” role. In addition to honoring her mothers’ legacy, Lourd has forged her own career with her performances in "Scream Queens," "American Horror Story," and "Booksmart."

The Fonda family proves that nepotism isn’t always one size fits all. Jane Fonda countered assumptions about her father, Academy Award-winning actor Henry Fonda, when she revealed he wasn’t much of a “Hollywood insider.” There’s no doubt that she and her brother Peter, who is also an Academy award-nominated actor, still benefited from their father’s status. Jane just explains he never actively guided her career. While Henry Fonda has been recognized as a “Male Screen legend,” Jane’s diverse and eclectic career has created an impressive legacy of her own. From Broadway acting to television comedies to Oscar-winning films, she’s also collected a slew of awards too long to list along the way. Plus, you can’t forget her famous 1980’s workout videos!

For Janet Leigh and Jamie Lee Curtis, “like mother like daughter” means both starring in a famous slasher hit. Leigh is well known for her legendary role in Hitchcock’s “Psycho” while Curtis rose to fame with her role in the “Halloween” film franchise. Not to mention her father is Tony Curtis, another prominent Hollywood actor known for his roles in “Spartacus” and “Some Like It Hot.” Unlike many nepotism babies, Curtis is open about the impact her parents' fame had on her career, admitting she “clearly had a leg up” breaking into the industry. Yet, from appearing in sitcoms, cult classics, and Christmas movies, and even Oscar-nominated films, Curtis proves she’s more than just a shoe-in with a refreshing air of honesty.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Zoë Kravitz
Catwoman & Lenny Kravitz Lisa Bonet’s Daughter

Enrique Iglesias
The Son of Julio Iglesias, a Legendary Latin Artist

Maya Hawke
The Actress Whose Famous Parents, Uma Thurman & Ethan Hawke, Met on a Film Set

Dan Levy
The Father/Son Comedic Duo Joined Forces to Co-Produce & Star in “Schitt’s Creek”

Lily Collins
The Actress Is the Daughter of ‘80s Music Sensation, Phil Collins

The world might know Angelina Jolie as a popular celebrity and one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actresses, but her short-lived stint as Angelina Jolie Voight is often forgotten. The daughter of Academy Award-winning actor Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand, Jolie’s initial TV credits are listed under her and her father’s shared last name. Jolie’s complicated relationship with her father has been the source of many headlines over the years, and Jolie has openly tried to separate herself from her father’s legacy. Though changing her last name didn’t magically rid her of nepotism’s influence, Jolie used her spotlight to build an influential and award-winning career under her own name. Now we can only wonder if the Jolie-Pitt children will do the same.