15 Actors You May Not Know Have LGBTQ Parents

Hollywood families come in all shapes, and some of the most recognizable actors grew up with parents who are part of the LGBTQ community. Many of these stories were private for years, then later shared by the actors or their families as they reflected on their lives and legacies.

This list spotlights well known performers alongside a few you might not immediately connect with LGBTQ parentage. Each entry shares which parent is LGBTQ and offers a bit of background about the family context or the actor’s path, keeping the focus on clear facts rather than speculation.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro’s father, the painter Robert De Niro Sr., was a gay artist who lived and worked in New York. His life and work are preserved through exhibitions and a documentary that explore his studio practice and his relationships.

De Niro has spoken publicly about his father’s life, noting the impact of growing up with a gay parent during a time when many were not open about their orientation. He has also helped archive and share his father’s journals and artwork so that the story is recorded accurately.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster was raised by her mother, Evelyn “Brandy” Foster, and her mother’s longtime female partner. Foster has acknowledged that she grew up with two moms and has described a home centered on education and work.

Her early start as a child actor was guided by her mother’s management and steady presence on sets. That family structure supported Foster’s move from commercials to films and later to directing and producing.

Liza Minnelli

Liza Minnelli’s father, the director Vincente Minnelli, had relationships with men in addition to marriages to women. He was an influential filmmaker whose musicals shaped studio era cinema.

Liza has often spoken about both parents’ careers and their complex personal lives. Her father’s artistic circle and experience in the industry created an environment that exposed her to professional training and stagecraft from a young age.

Jena Malone

Jena Malone grew up with her mother and her mother’s female partner, which she has discussed in interviews about her childhood. She has described moving frequently during those early years and learning resilience from that experience.

Malone began acting professionally as a child and quickly moved into substantial film roles. She has continued to work across independent films and studio projects while occasionally producing and composing.

Ally Sheedy

Ally Sheedy’s mother, Charlotte Sheedy, is a literary agent and activist who came out as gay when Ally was young. That family shift is something the actress has acknowledged while discussing her upbringing in New York.

The professional world around her mother introduced Sheedy to publishing and the arts. Those connections and an early interest in performance led to stage work and then screen roles that defined her career.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Day-Lewis’s father, the poet Cecil Day-Lewis, is documented as bisexual in biographies and correspondence. He served as Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom and had relationships with both men and women.

Daniel Day-Lewis grew up between London and Ireland and trained at the Bristol Old Vic School before moving into film. He has spoken about the influence of his father’s literary life and the seriousness of craft that surrounded his childhood.

Natasha Richardson

Natasha Richardson’s father, director Tony Richardson, was openly bisexual later in life. He was an Academy Award winning filmmaker who worked in both Britain and the United States.

Natasha trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and built a career on stage and screen. Her family’s deep theatrical roots included mentorship from both parents and connections to the London and Broadway communities.

Joely Richardson

Joely Richardson, Natasha’s sister, is also the daughter of Tony Richardson, whose bisexuality has been part of public accounts of his life. Their mother is actress Vanessa Redgrave, and the family has long standing ties to theater.

Joely studied at the Thacher School and later at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She moved between film and television while regularly returning to stage work, reflecting the family’s emphasis on classical training.

Oz Perkins

Oz Perkins is the son of actor Anthony Perkins, who was gay and later married photographer Berry Berenson. Anthony Perkins’s career included iconic roles such as Norman Bates in ‘Psycho’.

Oz began acting in films like ‘Legally Blonde’ and transitioned to writing and directing. His work in atmospheric horror, including ‘The Blackcoat’s Daughter’, has drawn on genre traditions that his father helped popularize.

Rashida Jones

Rashida Jones’s mother, Peggy Lipton, spoke publicly about relationships with women alongside her relationships with men. Lipton was a model and actress who became widely known through television work.

Rashida attended Harvard University and entered entertainment as a writer and performer. Her career spans acting, producing, and writing, and she has often referenced the creative influence of both parents.

Maria Riva

Maria Riva is the daughter of Marlene Dietrich, who had relationships with women as well as men. Dietrich’s career spanned Berlin and Hollywood, and her personal life has been documented in biographies and letters.

Maria worked as a stage and television actress and later wrote about her family history. Her perspective has helped clarify details about her mother’s relationships and public image across different eras.

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood’s father-in-law, Jerry Stutzman, is openly gay, something that became known through family accounts and community connections. His life and visibility have been part of broader discussions around acceptance and family dynamics in small towns.

Underwood herself has spoken publicly about supporting LGBTQ rights and equality, often connecting her stance to personal values shaped by her upbringing and extended family. That background has influenced how she approaches advocacy alongside her music career.

Vivienne Jolie-Pitt

Vivienne Jolie-Pitt is a child of Angelina Jolie, who has spoken about same sex relationships in her past. Vivienne appeared on screen as young Princess Aurora in ‘Maleficent’.

Her casting in the film came about because she was comfortable on set and could interact naturally with the title character. That appearance gave her early on set experience within a controlled environment.

Dia La Ren Nash

Dia Nash is the daughter of Niecy Nash, who has publicly identified her relationship with musician Jessica Betts and has discussed her own queer identity. Dia has appeared in television projects and live television events.

Her work includes roles alongside or adjacent to her mother’s productions, which provided professional introductions and guidance. She has continued to build credits across television formats.

Billie Lourd

Billie Lourd’s mother, Carrie Fisher, spoke about relationships with women at different points in her life while maintaining a long acting and writing career. Lourd is known for roles in ‘Scream Queens’, ‘American Horror Story’, and the recent ‘Star Wars’ trilogy.

She has worked across television and film and often acknowledges her family’s creative legacy. Her career has included genre projects and ensemble casts that keep her connected to large franchises and recurring series.

Share the names you would add to the list in the comments so we can keep this conversation going.