No other profession is more awash in nepotism than acting. Luckily, the apple rarely falls far from the tree, and good actors beget good actors. Here are 10 of our favorite Hollywood dynasties.
Thora Birch
Best known for roles in Ghost World and American Beauty, Thora’s parents are far more notorious. Mother Carol Connors and father Jack Birch were porn actors. They met on the set of the infamous Deep Throat. Jack only appeared in a handful of adult films before transitioning to mainstream movies as an actor and producer. Carol found a little more fame in the adult industry with over a dozen titles to her name, including the lead role in the “Candy” series.
Wes Bentley, Thora Birch and Mena Suvari from “American Beauty”
Jamie Lee Curtis
While many regard Jamie Lee Curtis as the modern queen of scream, thanks to her star-making turn in the original Halloween, you could say she learned everything she knows from her mother, Janet Leigh of Psycho fame. The two even starred in a couple fright flicks together: The Fog and Halloween: H20. But don’t discount her father, Some Like It Hot star Tony Curtis. If that wasn’t enough Hollywood royalty for you, Jamie Lee’s godfather was MCA-Universal CEO Lew Wasserman.
Jamie Lee Curtis in “Halloween Resurection”
Robert Downey Jr.
The Iron Man didn’t just tack a “junior” onto his name to sound cool: The senior Downey was a director and darling of the 1960s underground film scene, even giving his son his first acting break at the age of 5 in a film called Pound. While his heavily political films never took him too deep into the mainstream, he dabbled in acting, with roles in Magnolia and Boogie Nights.
Robert Downey Jr. in “Iron Man”
Gwyneth Paltrow
Performance runs in the Paltrow genes: Gwyneth is daughter to actress Blythe Danner (a parental role that was repeated onscreen in Sylvia, in which Gwyneth played doomed poet Sylvia Plath, and Blythe played her mother). Her father, Bruce Paltrow, was a noted television writer/producer/director, who also directed his daughter in Duets. Brother Jake is also a writer/director.
Blythe Danner, Gwyneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig in “Sylvia”
Eva Amurri
She’s not a household name yet, but after Eva’s recurring role in Californication — as a coed by day, stripper by night who is banging David Duchovny’s character — she probably will be. A name that probably will be familiar to you is Susan Sarandon, Eva’s mother. On the paternal side, father Franco Amurri is an Italian director, and her grandfather, Antonio, was a screenwriter and lyricist.
Eva Amurri and Ed Westwick in Showtime’s ‘Californication’
Zooey Deschanel
Coming from a performance family, it is only natural that Zooey acts, sings and plays piano and ukulele. Her sister, Emily, is a star in her own right, as the title character on TV’s Bones. Father Caleb is an award-winning cinematographer, and mom Mary Jo is best known for her role on Twin Peaks.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel in ‘(500) Days of Summer’
Steven R. McQueen
When your family name is McQueen, it seems that your career path is pretty well defined for you. Currently playing a major role on TV’s Vampire Diaries, Steven is the grandson of the original Steve McQueen. Father Chad played a badass, too — the martial artist acted and did stunts in dozens of features.
Steven R. McQueen on the CW’s ‘The Vampire Diaries’
Rumer Willis
Rumer got her start with a small role in a movie her mom was starring in. The movie? Now and Then. The mom? Demi Moore. The Willis? Yup, the Willis – Bruce Willis is her dad. Rumer has made a name for herself with roles in films such as Sorority Row and The House Bunny. Sisters Scout and Tallulah are both picking up the acting bug with a smattering of credits each.
Rumer Willis and Katharine McPhee star in ‘The House Bunny’
The Carradines
The Barrymores, the Arquettes, the Baldwins… no one ever includes the Carradines on that list. Let’s start with Ever Carradine (Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, Dead and Breakfast): She is the daughter of Robert Carradine (Revenge of the Nerds), who is the brother of Keith Carradine (Nashville) and half-brother of the late David Carradine (Kill Bill). The patriarch of the clan, John Carradine, had a career that spanned more than 70 years and included films such as The Grapes of Wrath and The Ten Commandments.
David Carradine and Uma Thurman in “Kill Bill Vol. 2”
Kiefer Sutherland
Currently trapped in a succession of the longest days of his life, the 24 star is the spawn of Donald Sutherland and Shirley Douglas. Donald, of course, is known for The Italian Job and M*A*S*H, while the lesser-known but wholly recognizable Shirley has appeared in Lolita and Dead Ringers.
Kiefer Sutherland stars in Fox’s ’24’
