Top 10 Nepotism Babies Who Would've Been Famous Anyway

[@Keylime522]

I was surprised that Josh and James Brolin weren't mentioned, I think Josh is an excellent actor on his own

[@Dobroviczi]

There is also Ben Stiller too ♥

[@hectorsmommy1717]

You totally forgot one of the biggest and best nepo babies: Ron Howard. His actor father literally got him his first job. He was in a movie and they needed a little kid for a role so he brought 2 year old Ronnie to the set to play the child. By the time Ron was 4 he already had a career on par with his father. His mother was also an actress and later acting teacher.

[@aishalee5924]

Plus his daughter! She’s a writer producer and actress herself. She’s been in a bunch of tv shows

[@hectorsmommy1717]

@@aishalee5924 I am not 100% convinced she would have had an acting career if it hadn't been for her father but I agree that she is talented. Definitely does not fit into the Tory Spelling-Paris Hilton category of nepo babies.

[@amwfan88]

Not to mention that most people today probably wouldn't even recognize the name Rance Howard (Ron and Clint's father).

[@hectorsmommy1717]

@@amwfan88 Nor Jean Speegle (their mother) although many would recognize her as the kind librarian in "Matilda".

[@carlthomas5307]

That’s right.

[@atiyaspence4301]

Carrie Fisher and the Estevesz brothers are very talented as well along with their daddy

[@violet.pennsilver]

Carrie Fisher's daughter, Billie Lourd is also talented

[@chih-lingchou1553]

I can not believe Michael Dogalas was not even m mentioned here.

[@BethMDowney]

In case anyone was wondering about the Honorable Mentions whose parents weren't mentioned: Rashida Jones: Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton Norah Jones: Ravi Shankar Jeff and Beau Bridges: Lloyd Bridges

[@Tomy_Yon]

RIP Quincy.

[@chelseacanales8763]

I know all of you would disagree with me, but you forgot Kate Hudson, her mom is Goldie Hawn and she had done lots of movies

[@chasehedges6775]

She was fantastic in The Skeleton Key(2005) with the late John Hurt and Gena Rowlands.

[@isabellep.461]

​@@chasehedges6775 My favorite movie with her.

[@chasehedges6775]

@@isabellep.461 Very good film. RIP John Hurt.

[@nbbim2012]

And her brother Oliver is also an actor - their father Bill was a producer & director in the industry as well..let's not forget her younger half brother Wyatt Russell whose dad is Kurt Russell , obviously a well known actor too

[@calm1047]

I think most of us know that!

[@Jillianminarik1]

Surprised drew barrymore isn't on this list

[@maryrosekent8223]

Yep. Yep yep yep yep. YEP! Her lineage goes all the way back to the silent era (I think).

[@atiyaspence4301]

That's so true. Drew Barrymore is talented and it has nothing to do with her last name

[@samanthac.349]

Absolutely, but her father was an absentee father. She’s remarked in the past that all being a Barrymore did was get her foot into the door for auditions. After that, she was on her own.

[@gfear24]

@@maryrosekent8223 The Barrymore family is the original First Family of Hollywood.

[@barbarak2836]

@@gfear24 The family was on the stage in both Great Britain and the United States since the mid-19th century.

[@michaeltravisano1161]

Also Hayley mills was the daughter of British celebrity John Mills but she eclipsed her father's fame when she was still a teenager.

[@MrEab2010]

I would add Lon Chaney Jr., Elizabeth Montgomery, Sigourney Weaver, Melanie Griffith, Margaux Hemingway, Drew Barrymore, and Oona Chaplin to the list. Also, I completely believe John F. Kennedy would have made it big even without Daddy Joe's money and fame.

[@christigmc]

Being a nepo baby helps get your foot in the door and be a few steps ahead of most other people. But talent keeps you there.

[@birgithiisjarv4465]

I feel it's the same about people who get "TikTok" famous, you gotta have talent to keep being famous

[@DawnOldham]

They ALL deserve their places in this list! I have great memories of watching each of them over the years! ❤

[@packnetadaija]

I honestly had no idea Maya Rudolph was Minnie Riperton’s daughter until I was watching on Unsung episode about Minnie and they said that was her daughter

[@shree2ann]

Minnie sang Maya's name at the end of her song, "Loving You".

[@barbarawissinger]

She sang „Ring my Bell“ with Good Janet on The Good Place.

[@jaredharris1940]

I miss Minnie very much!

[@artofverser]

Seriously, tho. Dan Levy definitely has the chops as an actor. Anybody else still remember his role as the producer of Jason Mewes' movie in Degrassi Goes Hollywood? That was delightful. Greetings, Jen!

[@lordalessan]

Big mistake on Jane Fonda, her father was HENRY, not Peter. Peter was her brother. And both always claimed that their father never helped them or encouraged them and that they had to work at it on their own.

[@lorettasmith9730]

Didnt realise most of these people were nepo babies which just goes to show that they have the talent all by themselves ❤

[@packnetadaija]

I agree, like for me I look at it as your name gets you in the door, but if you stay in the room is based on your talent

[@dea1800]

Michael Douglas, anyone?

[@jeffnorris7592]

NotJeff here. Sean Astin, son of Patty Duke, stepson of John Astin (Addams Family)

[@damonika09]

John adopted Sean so he’s more father than stepfather. Lol.

[@Kitty-kitty297]

You forgot, Kate Hudson, Robert Downey Jr., Angelina Jolie, Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen and Melanie Griffith to name just a few

[@aquabuddha]

Having successful or acting family members doesn't make you a nepo baby. Having your family get you where you are without merit does.

[@cherrytraveller5915]

Like the Kardashians and Jenner kids

[@andrewft31]

@@cherrytraveller5915one is a model, the others have their own businesses. They used their sudden fame wisely and have made names for themselves.

[@noirlily3413]

​@andrewft31 Fame being the merit at hand. If they didn't have the fame, would they be presented with the same opportunities to model or have several businesses...

[@kwill84]

@@andrewft31one’s a model actual old school supermodels like Naomi Campbell laugh at. Until recently her walk and stage presence was horrible. She’s ok now but to me but has no charisma. The others businesses are usually scams that fold quickly. They are know for nothing more that the men they date and marry. The men have the talent and im a hardcore feminist. I’m sorry but to me they make me so frustrated. When I was a little girl I wanted to be sally ride or Christa mcauliffe. Maybe princess di now they want to be a kardashian. I know there are wonderful female role models. I hate that these women are what gen z and gen alpha girls aspire to be.

[@raedog68]

Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Macaulay Culkin, George Clooney…..

[@veronicamorrison193]

Gwyneth Paltrow? Talented?

[@fromthehaven94]

​@@veronicamorrison193She's done some good movies.

[@kwill84]

Macaulay culling not a nepo baby. Hai dad was a theater actor that did some plays yet never reached his son success. He was never as successful as any of his sons.

[@sierraking8532]

You forgot Freddie Prinze Jr, his father was 1970's comedian Freddie Prinze

[@criminalmindsgirl2936]

FPJ definitely has talent. But he just needed to be given the right roles

[@andrewft31]

Farther? Thank you for that Goldmember

[@BenderNFlexo]

Surprised not to see Whitney Houston, her mom was one of Elvis’ backup singers 🗣️🎶

[@MelissaThompson432]

And of course her aunt is Dionne Warwick. The Houston family are pretty well known in gospel.

[@damonika09]

⁠@@MelissaThompson432Dionne is her cousin not aunt. Dionne is Cissy’s niece.

[@MelissaThompson432]

@@damonika09 ok, but more to the point, I just found out they're all related to Leontyne Price. That's impressive.

[@jacquelineedwards4140]

Jane Fonda's father is Henry. Peter is her brother. NB Peter's daughterbis Bridget.

[@Sansdesireee]

Emilio estevez who's father is also Martin sheen I didn't know him, Charlie and Emilio were related until i found out on Google 😭

[@ulcardfan8540]

Estevez is their actual family name. Martin adopted the “Sheen” name to get better roles. Charlie uses his father’s stage name, while Emilio chose to use his actual name.

[@MelissaThompson432]

They also have another brother, Ramon Estevez, who did some acting but now works the production side of movie making.

[@chasehedges6775]

At least they’re talented. That’s all that matters, really.

[@megem616]

It is but how many talented actors didn’t get their chance. It’s also about luck sometimes. Nepo babies can built their career portfolio early on, which is not possible for everyone

[@JonnyTainment]

We easily forget that some of them may have gotten into showbiz easier because of their famous relative but they still had to prove themselves.

[@andrewft31]

@@megem616Tom Cruise, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Denzel Washington, none of these people are nepos and are highly successful

[@deborahstevens3254]

Jane Fonda’s father was Henry. Her brother was Peter

[@pennyceline15]

Liza Minnelli is deserving to be on top.

[@barbarak2836]

Her sister, Lorna, has both acted and sung, although she is not nearly as well-known as Liza. She has a beautiful voice,.

[@aaronhusk]

What about Michael Douglas, son of Kirk Douglas?

[@atiyaspence4301]

I agree with Maya Rudolph, Dan Levy, Nicholas Cage( Coppola or not, the man is talented), Kate Hudson, Zoey Duetch and Keifer Sutherland

[@einbertalstein1394]

Maya Rudolph is a genuinely funny person.

[@blueghostlight7521]

these stars earned their fame and stardom way more than any influencer on insta or tiktok. they had style and flair and TALENT

[@susanmcginn856]

You two are the best. Praying for a New Year filled with good news for you!

[@RhaegarTargaryen1st]

Whitney Houston.

[@chasehedges6775]

6:28, LOVE The Three Musketeers(1993). Very underrated

[@greenvic90]

Oliver Platt made that movie for me and my huge childhood crush on Chris O’Donnell helped 🤪😂

[@chasehedges6775]

And Tim Curry as the villain.

[@atiyaspence4301]

Sooo underrated

[@chasehedges6775]

Agreed.🙏

[@chasehedges6775]

Nicolas Cage is A LEGEND!

[@trinaq]

He really is, I had no idea until recently that he was related to Francis Ford Coppola.

[@joycediggs4617]

I love the way Dan Levy moves his eyes! 😊

[@djnetwork3385]

This list is inconclusive without Willow Smith, Kate Hudson, and Jack Quaid

[@Dr.Mironova]

Seriously, no Angelina Jolie?!

[@andrewft31]

Her and her father don’t speak due to political beliefs, she is a liberal and he is a Conservative and she has been very vocal about him having no hand in her career.

[@trinaq]

These celebrities are talented in their own rights, and don't try to use their famous connections to get ahead.

[@chasehedges6775]

Yep💯💯

[@seanhorace925]

Where’s: .Michael Douglas .Ben Platt .Zelda Williams

[@aroace_priestess]

Despite their similarities in facial features and their last names, I did not know Eugene & Dan Levey were related

[@samuelcollantes1175]

Happy saturday morning, Jen, take care and God bless you. Greetings from Colombia to you as well

[@chasehedges6775]

Have a good day, man. 👍

[@LeannSky]

Michael Douglas, Emma Thompson, Benedict Cumberbatch

[@coquette3279]

Wait….. where is Drew Barrymore?

[@BriarRose920]

Jane Fonda is an honorable mention? Plus you forgot so many! Kate hudson, Gwyneth paltrow, Bryce Dallas Howard and her dad Ron howard, Maya Hawk, Dakota Johnson, Griffin Dunn and the list goes on...

[@rachelgates509]

When the children/offspring of famous actors turn out to ALSO be good actors, it only serves to show you how many OTHER people could make good actors if only given an opportunity!!! They just don’t have the leg up and connections that SOME are born with and will grow up to get!!!!

[@erik5374]

Liv Rundgren Tyler

[@BethSchoenbachler]

What about Angelina Jolie (Jon Voit’s Daughter)?

[@melissagreene8326]

What about the the Cassidy brothers..both parents were famous

[@shonda79able]

I just knew Angelina Jolie was going to make the list.

[@HaileyMayOfficial]

Honestly, I clicked to see if Liza is on the list and I’m glad that she’s number one

[@Jamal-bl7yh]

Don't Crucify Me For This But Jack Perry Son of Luke Perry and Rachel Sharpe sure you hate him as TNT Champion In AEW but If he wasn't a Pro Wrestler he'd probably be some overlooked Actor In a Netflix or Hulu Streaming Project until he brings up "Hey Luke Perry's My Papa" In an Interview but that didn't happen RIP Luke Perry

[@Kristine_202]

Um...Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal? (Whose godmother is actually Jamie Lee Curtis. LOL) Two of the best actors in Hollywood and they're nepo babies.

[@MikeCee7]

Does a godmother really qualify as a genetic relative?

[@SixTheArctos]

Although a relatively newcomer, David Washington, son of Denzel Washington is very talented.

[@fromthehaven94]

John David

[@melaniemanning2462]

Hargitay is famous, but I wouldn't say she's more famous than Jane Mansfield.

[@amandabeaty1492]

It's Jayne. My dad named me Amanda Jayne after her 😂

[@jasonsuguese1574]

Exactly Jayne Mansfield is so iconic

[@AGC173]

Literally none of these people would be famous if not for their parents.

[@bigjohn08865]

That is because they literally wouldn't exist

[@andrewft31]

You do know you don’t get to choose who births you right lol

[@megem616]

It’s not the point if they are talented. The point is how they got to the set in the first place - nepo babies can built their career portfolio early on

[@beccahaaby1007]

Their last name may have opened the door but their talent let them walk through it.

[@carolz5090]

Zoe Kravitz and Dakota Johnson.

[@chasehedges6775]

Zoe Kravitz is a good actress. Loved her in everything she’s been in so far.

[@JuanEnriqueFloresJr]

Good morning everybody and take care

[@JuanEnriqueFloresJr]

Also, first

[@JonnyTainment]

The reason why the term 'Nepo Baibies' has become so popular is because people on social media love peeing on everything and everyone.

[@jeannehall6546]

All of these mentioned are great candidates.

[@Usernotfound31231]

The person who wrote this script was unqualified based on their inadequate grasp of vocabulary. Like the word ‘nepotism’, for instance.

[@mbleroy99]

Does someone count as a "nepo baby" if they are famous for something different, like Maya Rudolph? She's known for acting/comedy, not music like her parents.

[@frankieseward8667]

Yes it does. Just because it's not the same field doesn't mean they're not nepo babies. Look at Tracee Ellis Ross or Lily Collins.

[@SanFranita]

No honorable mention for Julian Casablancas? 😍

[@annafowdy]

Where's Jasmine Cephas Jones?

[@chasehedges6775]

Found out she was in Honest Thief(2020) with Liam Neeson.

[@annafowdy]

@chasehedges6775 yeah, she was engaged to one of the other actors at the time, so it made sense that they gave her a cameo as his character's wife. Though I guess that scene didn't age well, since they split about a year later.

[@emilove7943]

She played both Peggy and Mariah in the Hamilton original stage play in 2015. Woman has pipes.

[@melaniesenf7175]

Wow, Jennifer is a great mix of her parents. She has very strong features

[@benjaminparkinson5255]

His roll in stand by me he blew if out of the park

[@angelasaunders3558]

Not a very complete list her but still pretty good.

[@marylu1019]

Mariska Hargitay never tried to use her parents as stepping stones. Her mother had a fairly short career and died when she was a toddler. Her father's fame was long long before she became Olivia Benson.

[@b991228]

Michael Douglas.

[@Tomy_Yon]

If you are talented, you're talented. But can't deny they had a great start up.

[@Jimmersaunt]

I knew Lily Collins was Phil Collins daughter because I was and still am a big fan of her father’s and I knew he had a daughter named Lily. He even has a picture of her as a baby in his cd But Seriously.

[@ernestanderson3894]

Bing Russell, a character actor in 50’s tv westerns mostly, was the dad of child actor Kurt Russell.

[@Jocelyn_Herrick]

Timothée Chalament should be on this list. He’s really talented.

[@chasehedges6775]

Loved his performance in The King(2019) as Henry/Hal

[@bakerkawesa]

Merit is a modern ideal. People throughout history often had little choice but to follow in their parents' trades.

[@aluap26]

HELLOOO!! Drew Barrymore much?? 😉 Nicolas Cage is the GOAT 🥰🥰🥰

[@paulmicheldenverco1]

The rub is these people received auditions when other equally talented actresses were told she was too midwestern.

[@mthivier]

Lucie Arnaz should definitely be on this list.

[@Hopsphie]

I mean you were both great but Bella’s colours matched the digital one more

[@Delaneyy.elizabeth04]

Where’s Maya hawke?

[@Dog.soldier1950]

Nepo has been in Movies and the theatre going way way back. Study the credits of silents and then talkies and familiar names keep popping up. It’s human nature.

[@jomc6734]

Peter Fonda is Jane Fonda's BROTHER, not her father. Peter and Jane's father is Henry, star of The Grapes of Wrath, Twelve Angry Men and On Golden Pond. Peter is Bridget's father.

[@katherine9026]

Jane Fonda’s father was Henry, her brother was Peter.

[@jenkaa55]

Jane Fonda’s father was HENRY (her brother is Peter). Check your facts.

[@aminaaugust586]

Anne Hathaway resembles Liza Minelli so much!

[@scotthaskin1509]

Research is so hard!

[@licoreen]

I HATE THE TERM “NEPO BABY.” Nepotism is the unmerited appointment of a family member to a position, often of leadership. It doesn’t mean “celebrity who is the child of a celebrity.” Nepotism is a negative thing, associated with incompetence, corruption and the failure of organizations. Please stop saying “Nepo Baby.”

[@MikeCee7]

Too bad. You did give the correct definition of nepotism. But the made up term “NEPO BABY” does NOT need to be 100% of the definition of nepotism. It’s basically used to refer to somebody who was born into wealth and fame. Doesn’t even have to apply to an actor or an actress. Paris Hilton was a Nepo baby. Before she even got first known on that simple life show with Nicole Richie.

[@licoreen]

@ thanks, but can you see why this label is annoying? Shortening the word “nepotism” and calling someone a baby is a snarky criticism for something over which they had no control: their birth. It’s whiny and accusatory. I hope it’s one of those phrases that stays in the early 2020s that dies out quickly. People said “Don’t have a cow” in the 1990s and “Epic fail” circa 2005. Hoping this goes the same way.🤞🤞🤞

[@MikeCee7]

@@licoreen Why are you so upset over the term “Nepo baby”?. . . It sounds like you were born on 3rd base, with a silver spoon in your mouth. That doesn’t have to work hard in life, and everything is handed to you. I can’t think of any other reason why somebody would be so happy for that term to go away. Irregardless of the phrase goes away, anyone is born into wealth and fame doesn’t work hard themselves. It’s gonna be classified in that category. (with or without the term)

[@lauribooks6281]

I would add Miley Cyrus. We can all agree she’s now way more famous than her father and she has so much charisma. She would have been famous no matter what.

[@teresalatiolais8477]

Who’s Nora Jones parents ?

[@bigjohn08865]

Norah Jones' father was Rafi Shanker - who was a famous Indian sitar playing musician.

[@raedog68]

Ravi ❤

[@laurawallis7093]

Dont forget the Roberts family. Brother and sister Julia and Eric and Erics daughter Emma.

[@pixie77531]

omg i never knew jennifer anniston was a nepo baby😮

[@janawright1715]

FYI, Jane Fonda father was Henry, not Peter. Peter was her brother.😮

[@camilanovalife]

How do you know they would have been famous anyway? It is impossible to know it hahahaha

[@partible]

Jane Fonda's father is Henry. Peter is her brother

[@ashtonbrown8549]

Miley Cryus is easily way more famous than her dad now, but I'm not totally sure how famous he ever was.

[@carlthomas5307]

C’mon MsMojo. Peter Fonda is Jane Fonda’s brother and her father is Henry Fonda (the clip you just showed of “On Golden Pond” was his last film). Rookie mistake.

[@judalea17]

Juliet and Hayley Mills, daughters of John Mills

[@clarisahernandez5280]

Look at little Maya.