15 Celebrities Who Have Very Famous Parents
Having famous parents does not guarantee a career, but it often means growing up around studios, stages, and sets. Many well known names in film, television, music, and fashion were raised by stars whose work filled screens and stadiums long before their kids stepped into the spotlight.
This roundup shares who they are, what they do, and the household names who raised them, so you can connect the dots between today’s headlines and the legacies that came before.
Zoë Kravitz
Zoë Kravitz works in film, television, and music, with notable roles in ‘Big Little Lies’, ‘High Fidelity’, and ‘The Batman’. She has also recorded and performed under the name Lolawolf and has appeared in fashion campaigns and major magazine covers.
Her parents are Lenny Kravitz, a multiple Grammy winning musician known for hit albums and global tours, and Lisa Bonet, an actor recognized for ‘The Cosby Show’ and ‘A Different World’. Her family background spans acting, music, and style, and she has collaborated with brands drawn to that crossover.
Maya Hawke
Maya Hawke is an actor and singer who broke out on ‘Stranger Things’ and went on to roles in projects like ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’, ‘Asteroid City’, and ‘Do Revenge’. She has released original music and tours with a setlist that blends folk pop songwriting and storytelling.
Her parents are Ethan Hawke, a film star and author with Academy Award nominations for acting and writing, and Uma Thurman, a leading actor known for ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘Kill Bill’. Their long careers in film gave Maya early exposure to sets and scripts that shaped her path.
Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson leads studio and indie projects, including the ‘Fifty Shades’ films, ‘A Bigger Splash’, ‘The Lost Daughter’, and ‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’. She has hosted televised live comedy and works with fashion and beauty brands as an ambassador.
Her parents are Don Johnson, the television star of ‘Miami Vice’ and ‘Nash Bridges’, and Melanie Griffith, an actor known for ‘Working Girl’. She is also the granddaughter of Tippi Hedren from ‘The Birds’, which places her in a multigenerational Hollywood family.
Lily-Rose Depp
Lily Rose Depp works as both a model and actor, appearing in ‘The King’, ‘Voyagers’, and the series ‘The Idol’. She has fronted luxury campaigns and has walked runways for major houses in Paris and New York.
Her parents are Johnny Depp, known worldwide for roles including ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, and Vanessa Paradis, a French singer and actor who began her career with a chart topping single and later modeled for couture brands. She grew up between the United States and France, speaking both languages in her public work.
John David Washington
John David Washington starred in ‘Ballers’ on television and has led films such as ‘BlacKkKlansman’, ‘Tenet’, and ‘The Creator’. Before acting full time he played professional football, a background he has discussed when preparing for physically demanding roles.
His parents are Denzel Washington, a two time Academy Award winner known for ‘Glory’ and ‘Training Day’, and Pauletta Washington, an actor and trained pianist. The family has long supported arts education and theater, which informed his move from sports to screen.
Wyatt Russell
Wyatt Russell has appeared in ‘Everybody Wants Some!!’, ‘Overlord’, and the series ‘Lodge 49’. He joined the Marvel television canon as John Walker in ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ and returned in related projects within that universe.
His parents are Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, both widely known film stars with decades of box office hits and award nominations. Wyatt also played competitive hockey before acting, mirroring the athletic to entertainment path that appears elsewhere on this list.
Jaden Smith
Jaden Smith acts and records music, with early screen roles in ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ and ‘The Karate Kid’. His discography includes the albums ‘Syre’ and ‘Erys’, and he has performed at festivals and headlined his own tours.
His parents are Will Smith, a film star and recording artist with leading roles in ‘Men in Black’ and ‘Ali’, and Jada Pinkett Smith, an actor and producer known for ‘The Matrix’ series and ‘Set It Off’. The family’s work spans television, film, and music, creating frequent collaborations and appearances.
Maude Apatow
Maude Apatow is known for television work on ‘Euphoria’ and for roles in projects like ‘The King of Staten Island’ and ‘Hollywood’. She has also performed on stage, including a run in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ in New York.
Her parents are Judd Apatow, the writer director and producer behind ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin’ and ‘Knocked Up’, and Leslie Mann, an actor with credits in ‘This Is 40’ and numerous comedies. Maude’s early cameos in her father’s films introduced her to professional sets while she was still in school.
Bryce Dallas Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard stars in the ‘Jurassic World’ films and has appeared in ‘Rocketman’ and ‘Black Mirror’. She also directs, with episodes of ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ among her credits.
Her father is Ron Howard, a former child actor from ‘Happy Days’ who became an Academy Award winning director for ‘A Beautiful Mind’. The Howard family has worked across acting, directing, and producing for decades, with Bryce continuing that mix in front of and behind the camera.
O’Shea Jackson Jr.
O’Shea Jackson Jr. debuted portraying his father in ‘Straight Outta Compton’ and later appeared in ‘Ingrid Goes West’, ‘Long Shot’, and ‘Godzilla King of the Monsters’. He has also worked in television, including the limited series ‘Obi Wan Kenobi’.
His father is Ice Cube, the rapper and actor who began with N.W.A and moved into films such as ‘Friday’ and ‘Boyz n the Hood’. His mother is Kimberly Woodruff, known for philanthropic efforts and family ventures that support community programs.
Kaia Gerber
Kaia Gerber is a model who has walked for major fashion houses in New York, London, Milan, and Paris. She won Model of the Year at The Fashion Awards and has appeared on international magazine covers.
Her parents are Cindy Crawford, a globally recognized model and television host, and Rande Gerber, a hospitality entrepreneur who has launched beverage and nightlife brands. Kaia has also acted in ‘American Horror Stories’ and the series ‘Palm Royale’.
Brooklyn Beckham
Brooklyn Beckham has worked as a model and photographer and published the photo book ‘What I See’. He has produced and hosted cooking content on digital platforms and television.
His parents are David Beckham, the former England captain who played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, Milan, and Paris Saint Germain, and Victoria Beckham, a member of the group ‘Spice Girls’ who later founded a fashion label. The family’s projects span sport, music, and design.
Jack Quaid
Jack Quaid stars as Hughie Campbell on ‘The Boys’ and appears in films including ‘Scream’, ‘Scream VI’, and ‘Oppenheimer’. He has voice roles in animation and games, adding to a growing list of credits across mediums.
His parents are Dennis Quaid, known for films such as ‘The Right Stuff’, and Meg Ryan, the star of romantic comedies including ‘Sleepless in Seattle’. Jack began with a role in ‘The Hunger Games’ before moving into lead television work.
Billie Lourd
Billie Lourd’s screen credits include ‘Scream Queens’, ‘American Horror Story’, and the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy as Lieutenant Connix. She has appeared on stage and participates in tributes that preserve her family’s artistic history.
Her mother was Carrie Fisher, the actor and author known for ‘Star Wars’, and her father is Bryan Lourd, a longtime talent agency executive. She is also the granddaughter of Debbie Reynolds, who starred in ‘Singin in the Rain’, placing her within a lineage of film and theater.
Riley Keough
Riley Keough led the series ‘Daisy Jones and The Six’ and has appeared in films such as ‘Mad Max Fury Road’, ‘American Honey’, and ‘Zola’. She has produced features through her company, expanding her work beyond acting.
Her mother was Lisa Marie Presley and her grandparents are Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley. Riley has been involved with archival and estate matters related to the Presley legacy, connecting modern projects with music history.
Share your picks in the comments and tell everyone which star with famous parents surprised you most.