See Hollywood's 'Nepotism Babies' Side-by-Side with Their A-List Parents in Their Breakout Roles

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Getty(3)

Getty(3)

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Sam Nivola: Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola

Fabio Lovino/HBO; RGR Collection/Alamy Stock Photo; Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Sam Nivola, 21, may be part of a dysfunctional family in the current season ofWhite Lotus,but in real life, he’s close with his actor parents, Emily Mortimer (who was 27 when she had a breakout role inNotting Hill) and Alessandro Nivola (who was 25 whenFace/Offpremiered).

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Taylor Dearden: Bryan Cranston

Warrick Page/MAX;ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty

03of 26Mason Gooding: Cuba Gooding Jr.HBO;Columbia/Kobal/ShutterstockCuba Gooding Jr.’s youngest son,Mason, got his big break on HBO’sBallerswhen he was 22, with a recurring role on the series' fourth season, in 2008; from there his acting career took off, and he’ll be reprising his role as Chad Meeks-Martin inScream 7next year. Cuba landed his first major role in 1991’sBoyz In The Hood,at the age of 23.

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Mason Gooding: Cuba Gooding Jr.

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Cuba Gooding Jr.’s youngest son,Mason, got his big break on HBO’sBallerswhen he was 22, with a recurring role on the series' fourth season, in 2008; from there his acting career took off, and he’ll be reprising his role as Chad Meeks-Martin inScream 7next year. Cuba landed his first major role in 1991’sBoyz In The Hood,at the age of 23.

04of 26Ella Beatty: Annette Bening & Warren BeattyJose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images; Cineplex Odeon/Kobal/Shutterstock; Michael Ochs Archives/GettyIt was a big week in the Beatty household when daughter Ella walked her first big carpet (for her role inFeud: Truman vs. the Swans) the day after her mother Annette Bening’s Oscar nomination (forNyad)was announced.Ella, 23, has her first major role in the Ryan Murphy-directed show, playing Kerry O’Shea, who was daughter figure to Truman Capote, Bening was 30 when she broke out in 1993’sThe Grifters, for which she earned another Oscar nomination, while Ella’s dad Warren Beatty became an overnight sensation at 23 for his role in 1961’sSplendor in the Grass.

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Ella Beatty: Annette Bening & Warren Beatty

Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images; Cineplex Odeon/Kobal/Shutterstock; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

It was a big week in the Beatty household when daughter Ella walked her first big carpet (for her role inFeud: Truman vs. the Swans) the day after her mother Annette Bening’s Oscar nomination (forNyad)was announced.

Ella, 23, has her first major role in the Ryan Murphy-directed show, playing Kerry O’Shea, who was daughter figure to Truman Capote, Bening was 30 when she broke out in 1993’sThe Grifters, for which she earned another Oscar nomination, while Ella’s dad Warren Beatty became an overnight sensation at 23 for his role in 1961’sSplendor in the Grass.

05of 26Harlow Jane: Patricia Arquette & Thomas JaneDimitrios Kambouris/Getty; Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Collection; G Lefkowitz/New Line/Kobal/ShutterstockHarlow Jane, 20, hit the Hollywood scene in a big way in 2023, with roles inHigh Desert(playing a young version of her mom, Patricia Arquette) andShe Came to Me.Arquette was 24 when she made her mark with 1993’sTrue Romance, while dad Thomas Jane was 27 when he had a brief but very memorable cameo in 1997’sBoogie NIghts.

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Harlow Jane: Patricia Arquette & Thomas Jane

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Harlow Jane, 20, hit the Hollywood scene in a big way in 2023, with roles inHigh Desert(playing a young version of her mom, Patricia Arquette) andShe Came to Me.

Arquette was 24 when she made her mark with 1993’sTrue Romance, while dad Thomas Jane was 27 when he had a brief but very memorable cameo in 1997’sBoogie NIghts.

06of 26Sadie & Sunny Sandler: Adam SandlerScott Yamano/Netflix; Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyComedian Adam Sandler was 23 when he broke out onSaturday Night Livein 1990, and thoughbeing fired in 1995 “hurt,“it launched him into a film career that included acting and directing — and in 2023,he’d go on to co-star with his daughters Sadie, 17, and Sunny, 14, inYou Are So Not Invited to My Bat MItzvah.

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Sadie & Sunny Sandler: Adam Sandler

Scott Yamano/Netflix; Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Comedian Adam Sandler was 23 when he broke out onSaturday Night Livein 1990, and thoughbeing fired in 1995 “hurt,“it launched him into a film career that included acting and directing — and in 2023,he’d go on to co-star with his daughters Sadie, 17, and Sunny, 14, inYou Are So Not Invited to My Bat MItzvah.

07of 26West Duchovny: Téa Leoni and David DuchovnyKeri Anderson/Netflix; Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection; Michael Lavine/Fox Network/courtesy Everett CollectionWest Duchovny was 24 when she landed a starring role in 2023’sPainkiller,a miniseries about the opioid epidemic. Mom Téa Leoni was 28 when she had her breakout role in 1995’sBad Boys,while dad David Duchovny was 27 when the 1993 premiere ofThe X-Filesmade him a star. (Andyou can see a teenage West on the show’s final seasonin 2018!)

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West Duchovny: Téa Leoni and David Duchovny

Keri Anderson/Netflix; Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection; Michael Lavine/Fox Network/courtesy Everett Collection

West Duchovny was 24 when she landed a starring role in 2023’sPainkiller,a miniseries about the opioid epidemic. Mom Téa Leoni was 28 when she had her breakout role in 1995’sBad Boys,while dad David Duchovny was 27 when the 1993 premiere ofThe X-Filesmade him a star. (Andyou can see a teenage West on the show’s final seasonin 2018!)

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Nico Parker: Thandiwe Newton

Most recently seen inThe Last of Us,Nico was just 15 when she made her major film debut in 2019’sDumbo —but she had plenty of exposure to movie sets thanks to her parents Thandiwe Newton (whose breakout role was in 1998’sBeloved, when she was 26) and Ol Parker, a writer and director who most recently helmedTicket to Paradise.

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Michael Consuelos: Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos

STEVE FENN/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Katie Yu/The CW

10of 26Charlie Hall: Julia Louis-DreyfusKatrina Marcinowski/HBO Max, NBCUniversal via GettyCharlie Hall, 25, is making a splash as “a bit of a dick” (his words!) onThe Sex Lives of College Girls,but he’s been acting for several years on shows includingBel AirandLove, Victor.His introduction to the industry? A role on mom Julia Louis-Dreyfus' sitcomVeepin 2019.Louis-Dreyfus (who has been married to Charlie’s dad, actor and producer Brad Hall, for 35 years) got her start onSaturday Night Livewhen she was 21, but her role onSeinfeldin 1990, when she was 29 (pictured), launched her into icon territory.

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Charlie Hall: Julia Louis-Dreyfus

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Charlie Hall, 25, is making a splash as “a bit of a dick” (his words!) onThe Sex Lives of College Girls,but he’s been acting for several years on shows includingBel AirandLove, Victor.His introduction to the industry? A role on mom Julia Louis-Dreyfus' sitcomVeepin 2019.

Louis-Dreyfus (who has been married to Charlie’s dad, actor and producer Brad Hall, for 35 years) got her start onSaturday Night Livewhen she was 21, but her role onSeinfeldin 1990, when she was 29 (pictured), launched her into icon territory.

11of 26Sydney Chandler: Kyle ChandlerEverett; Warner Bros. PicturesWe’re guessing theFriday Night Lightsstar had a full heart when he saw his eldest daughter, 26, break onto the scene in a big way in 2022, with parts in several films includingDon’t Worry Darling.Her dad was the same age when he landed his first major part in 1991,playing a young man in the wake of World War II in the ABC seriesHomefront.

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Sydney Chandler: Kyle Chandler

Everett; Warner Bros. Pictures

We’re guessing theFriday Night Lightsstar had a full heart when he saw his eldest daughter, 26, break onto the scene in a big way in 2022, with parts in several films includingDon’t Worry Darling.Her dad was the same age when he landed his first major part in 1991,playing a young man in the wake of World War II in the ABC seriesHomefront.

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Deacon Phillippe: Reese Witherspoon & Ryan Phillippe

In the fall of 2022, the 18-year-old son of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe made his acting debut in Netflix’sNever Have I Ever,playing a member of a rival debate team from a rich private school. Mom Reese was 15 in her acclaimed breakout role in 1991’sMan on the Moon, while dad Ryan was 23 when he made audiences swoon as he tried to dodge a killer (and looked chiseled doing so) in 1998’sI Know What You Did Last Summer.

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Zoë Kravitz: Lisa Bonet & Lenny Kravitz

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Maya Hawke: Uma Thurman & Ethan Hawke

The actress, who kickstarted her career at age 21 on season 3 ofStranger Thingsin 2019, had fans debating whether she looks more like her mother (who broke out at age 18 in 1988’sDangerous Liaisons) or Ethan Hawke (who became an immediate star at age 18 in 1988’sDead Poets Society).

15of 26Lewis Pullman: Bill PullmanScott Garfield/Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection, MGM/Courtesy Everett CollectionIt comes as no surprise to anyone who saw Lewis in 2022’sTop Gun: Maverickthat the 29-year-old is the son of Bill, whose first big role was also as a pilot (of sorts) in 1987’sSpaceballs,when he was 34. The resemblance — from the squint to the lopsided smile — is striking. (Fun fact:Lewis is dating another celeb kid, Andie McDowell’s daughter Rainey Qualley!)

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Lewis Pullman: Bill Pullman

Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection, MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

It comes as no surprise to anyone who saw Lewis in 2022’sTop Gun: Maverickthat the 29-year-old is the son of Bill, whose first big role was also as a pilot (of sorts) in 1987’sSpaceballs,when he was 34. The resemblance — from the squint to the lopsided smile — is striking. (Fun fact:Lewis is dating another celeb kid, Andie McDowell’s daughter Rainey Qualley!)

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Jaden Smith: Jada Pinkett Smith & Will Smith

Jaden was only 11 when he filmedThe Karate Kidremake, which hit theaters in 2010. His parents also achieved fame relatively young; mom Jada was 20 whenA Different Worldpremiered in 1991, while dad Will shot to superstardom at age 22 in 1990’sThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air(though he’d already been building buzz for a few years, after winning a Grammy in 1988 for “Parents Just Don’t Understand”).

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John David Washington: Denzel Washington

David Lee/Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection, NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection

18of 26Dakota Johnson: Melanie Griffith & Don JohnsonChuck Zlotnick/Universal; Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty; Frank Carroll/NBCU/GettyShe’d been in several high-profile projects early in her career, but landing the lead in the much-anticipatedFifty Shades of Greytrilogy in 2015 put Dakota, then 25, on the map. Her mom had also been acting for years before landing her career-defining role in 1988’sWorking Girlat age 31; her dad was 35 when he hit it big withMiami Vice.

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Dakota Johnson: Melanie Griffith & Don Johnson

Chuck Zlotnick/Universal; Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty; Frank Carroll/NBCU/Getty

She’d been in several high-profile projects early in her career, but landing the lead in the much-anticipatedFifty Shades of Greytrilogy in 2015 put Dakota, then 25, on the map. Her mom had also been acting for years before landing her career-defining role in 1988’sWorking Girlat age 31; her dad was 35 when he hit it big withMiami Vice.

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Billie Lourd: Carrie Fisher

Skip Bolen/Fox/Courtesy Everett, Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

20of 26Jack Quaid: Meg Ryan & Dennis QuaidJan Thijs/Amazon Studios; Castle Rock/Nelson/Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock; 20th Century Fox/Kobal/ShutterstockFans of Jack’s memorable performance inThe Boys, on which he began filming at age 27 in 2019, won’t be surprised to learn that all that charm is genetic — mom Meg is America’s Sweetheart who broke out in 1989 at age 26 withWhen Harry Met Sally, and dad Dennis, then 24, rose to fame withBreaking Awayin 1979.

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Jack Quaid: Meg Ryan & Dennis Quaid

Jan Thijs/Amazon Studios; Castle Rock/Nelson/Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock; 20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

Fans of Jack’s memorable performance inThe Boys, on which he began filming at age 27 in 2019, won’t be surprised to learn that all that charm is genetic — mom Meg is America’s Sweetheart who broke out in 1989 at age 26 withWhen Harry Met Sally, and dad Dennis, then 24, rose to fame withBreaking Awayin 1979.

21of 26Maude Apatow: Leslie Mann & Judd ApatowEddy Chen/HBO; Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock; juddapatow/InstagramMaude’s pitch-perfect eye rolls inEuphoria(which she began filming in 2019, at age 21) may have come with a lot of practice from being the child of two comedians: Leslie, who was 27 when 1999’sBig Daddycame out, and Judd, who was 31 when he cameoed in 1995’sHeavyweightsbefore going on to be known for his directing.

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Maude Apatow: Leslie Mann & Judd Apatow

Eddy Chen/HBO; Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock; juddapatow/Instagram

Maude’s pitch-perfect eye rolls inEuphoria(which she began filming in 2019, at age 21) may have come with a lot of practice from being the child of two comedians: Leslie, who was 27 when 1999’sBig Daddycame out, and Judd, who was 31 when he cameoed in 1995’sHeavyweightsbefore going on to be known for his directing.

22of 26Margaret Qualley: Andie MacDowellJohn Rasimus/Future Publishing/Getty; EverettIn 2019, a then-25-year-old Margaret made a big impact in two acting projects:Once Upon a Time in Hollywood(pictured) andFosse/Verdon, in which she played Ann Reinking. Her mom, Andie, was 27 when she played the object of Emilio Estevez’s desire inSt. Elmo’s Fire.Both started out as models, and both have acted together since — notably,in Qualley’s star vehicleMaid.

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Margaret Qualley: Andie MacDowell

John Rasimus/Future Publishing/Getty; Everett

In 2019, a then-25-year-old Margaret made a big impact in two acting projects:Once Upon a Time in Hollywood(pictured) andFosse/Verdon, in which she played Ann Reinking. Her mom, Andie, was 27 when she played the object of Emilio Estevez’s desire inSt. Elmo’s Fire.Both started out as models, and both have acted together since — notably,in Qualley’s star vehicleMaid.

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Zoey Deutch: Lea Thompson

24of 26Hannah Einbinder: Laraine NewmanHBO Max; Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty ImagesIt was no surprise that a 26-year-old Einbinder was able to hold her own against legendarily funny Jean Smart in 2021’sHacks:Her mom, Laraine Newman, was 23 when she was one of the original cast members ofSaturday Night Livein its 1975 debut year.

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Hannah Einbinder: Laraine Newman

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It was no surprise that a 26-year-old Einbinder was able to hold her own against legendarily funny Jean Smart in 2021’sHacks:Her mom, Laraine Newman, was 23 when she was one of the original cast members ofSaturday Night Livein its 1975 debut year.

25of 26Lily-Rose Depp: Vanessa Paradis & Johnny DeppAllan Amato; Vanessa Paradis/YouTube; Snap/ShutterstockThe actress, just 17 when she landed her first leading role in 2016’sYoga Hosers, comes from a line of young stars; her mom topped charts at age 14 with 1987’sJoe Le Taxi,and her dad was 24 when he got a main part in 1987’s21 Jump Street(though plenty of fans had an eye on him from 1984 with his small part inA Nightmare on Elm Street).

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Lily-Rose Depp: Vanessa Paradis & Johnny Depp

Allan Amato; Vanessa Paradis/YouTube; Snap/Shutterstock

The actress, just 17 when she landed her first leading role in 2016’sYoga Hosers, comes from a line of young stars; her mom topped charts at age 14 with 1987’sJoe Le Taxi,and her dad was 24 when he got a main part in 1987’s21 Jump Street(though plenty of fans had an eye on him from 1984 with his small part inA Nightmare on Elm Street).

26of 26Lily Collins: Phil CollinsCitizen Snow Film Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock; Phil Collins/YouTubeIt was a fairytale beginning for Lily Collins, who was 23 when she debuted in 2012’sMirror, Mirror.DadPhil had been drumming for Genesis for yearsbefore going solo in 1982 at age 31, hitting it big with “In the Air Tonight” and “You Can’t Hurry Love” (pictured).

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Lily Collins: Phil Collins

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It was a fairytale beginning for Lily Collins, who was 23 when she debuted in 2012’sMirror, Mirror.DadPhil had been drumming for Genesis for yearsbefore going solo in 1982 at age 31, hitting it big with “In the Air Tonight” and “You Can’t Hurry Love” (pictured).

source: people.com