Stars and their famous fathers

There's plenty of fathers to be found in films and television, but what about the real-life Hollywood dads who have produced some famous offspring? Here's a round-up of some of Tinseltown's most memorable father-child pairs.

Denzel Washington is a modern acting legend, but his son John David Washington is quickly following in his dad's footsteps with leading roles in projects like Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman (2018) and Christopher Nolan's Tenet (2020). John David got his start in small uncredited roles in some of Denzel's most beloved films like Malcolm X (1992) and Devil in a Blue Dress (1995), but now he's a movie star in his own right. —Maureen Lee Lenker

Related: What John David Washington learned from BlacKkKlansman, Spike Lee, and dad Denzel

Like father, like son seems to be the rule the Skarsgård family lives by. Patriarch Stellan Skarsgård has over 100 acting credits to his name and it's clear his children were watching. Four of his eight children are actors. His most famous offspring, Alexander, rose to fame on the popular HBO vampire series True Blood and has since gone on to star in high-profile projects such as The Legend of Tarzan and Big Little Lies, the latter of which earned the actor several awards including an Emmy. Proving that Hollywood loves handsome brothers, Alexander's younger brother Bill Skarsgård terrified a new generation as Pennywise in It and It Chapter Two. Gustaf has been seen on Westworld, Vikings, and Netflix's Cursed, and Valter appeared on the Scandinavian series Black Lake. —Aja Hoggatt

Related: A Skars-guide to the Skarsgårds: From Cursed child to It boy

Actress Rashida Jones is the daughter of legendary record producer and composer Quincy Jones and Twin Peaks actress Peggy Lipton. Quincy Jones has a long and varied career that spans from scoring films like In Cold Blood (1967) to producing Michael Jackson's hit records Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. Rashida has carved out a similarly impressive range for herself, appearing on shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Angie Tribeca and starring in Sofia Coppola's 2020 film On the Rocks. She's also a writer and producer, penning the feature film Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012) and directing a documentary about her father, Quincy (2018). —M.L.L.

Related: Rashida Jones on making 'the definitive movie' about her dad, Quincy Jones

Following in Clint Eastwood's footsteps are large boots to fill, which is why—after a few early appearances in his father's films—Scott Eastwood decided not to use his famous last name, instead adopting his mother's maiden name for a number of years. He has since embraced his roots and gone on to appear in a string of blockbusters including Suicide Squad (2016), The Fate of the Furious (2017), Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018), and The Outpost (2019). —A.H.

Related: Scott Eastwood cast in action movie 'Overdrive'

Ron Howard is such a beloved Hollywood dad, he inspired Bryce Dallas Howard to make her feature film directorial debut with a documentary called Dads. The two have a lot in common, having both started their careers as actors (Ron in 1962's The Music Man, 1973's American Graffiti, and on The Andy Griffith Show; Bryce in films like 2011's The Help and the Jurassic World franchise), but eventually transitioned to directing. Ron won an Oscar for directing 2001's A Beautiful Mind, while Bryce has helmed episodes of The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. —M.L.L.

Related: Bryce Dallas Howard DGA speech honors Ron Howard

Dakota Johnson is yet another star with two famous parents on this list. Miami Vice lead Don Johnson and Working Girl's Melanie Griffith are her parents. She exploded on the scene after winning the highly coveted role of Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades of Grey adaptations, but has continued to work steadily since, aiming for career longevity with films like Suspiria (2018), Bad Times at the El Royale (2018), The Lost Daughter (2021), and Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022). In that respect, she's similar to good old dad, who continues to have scene-stealing roles in projects like Django Unchained (2012), Knives Out (2019), and HBO's Watchmen. —M.L.L.

Related: Luca Guadagnino and Dakota Johnson on the 'fun madness' of making Suspiria

How do you one-up a dad like James Brolin, with his Emmy-winning acting career and long-lasting marriage with Barbra Streisand? You become a full-fledged movie star like Josh Brolin with a list of enviable acting credits including Milk (2008)—for which he was nominated for an Oscar—Deadpool 2 (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Dune (2021). —A.H.

Related: Avengers: Infinity War's Josh Brolin on playing Thanos

Phil Collins is a 1980s icon, both for his work with the band Genesis and his rock star bonafides as a solo artist. He passed along the talent to his daughter Lily Collins, who chose to pursue acting and modeling instead of music. She's appeared in films like Mirror Mirror (2012), Rules Don't Apply (2016), Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019), and Mank (2021). But she is best known as the titular expat on Netflix's Emily in Paris. —M.L.L.

Related: Lily Collins is bringing the American POV to Paris in first Emily in Paris trailer

As the spitting image of his father Ice Cube, it's no surprise that O'Shea Jackson Jr. made his big-screen debut playing his father in the 2015 N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton. Since his breakout performance, Jackson has appeared in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi and a steady string of films—including Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) and Just Mercy (2019)—but the young actor has his work cut out for him if he hopes to catch up to his father's long list of acting credits. —A.H.

Related: O'Shea Jackson Jr., Ice Cube talk Straight Outta Compton

Daughter of '90s "it" couple Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, Maya has acting in her blood. She made her screen debut as Jo March in a television adaptation of Little Women and has since appeared in projects like Stranger Things and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Meanwhile, Ethan—who rose to fame in films like Before Sunrise (1995) and Training Day (2001—continues a prolific output including Showtime's The Good Lord Bird, Disney+'s Moon Knight, and a docuseries about Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward called The Last Movie Stars, which he directed. —M.L.L.

Related: Ethan Hawke's Stranger Things shout out to daughter Maya Hawke proves he's just like your dad

While Donald and Kiefer Sutherland appeared together in Max Dugan Returns (1983) and A Time to Kill (1996), the pair did not share screen time or play father and son until the 2016 Western Forsaken. Both actors have received great acclaim in their careers, with Donald winning an Emmy for Citizen X in 1995 and an Honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement in film in 2018, and Kiefer winning a pair of Emmys for 24 in 2006. —A.H.

Related: Emmy-winning parents and their Emmy award-winning children

Steven and Liv Tyler make for another musician father–actress daughter combo. Steven is the lead singer of the rock band Aerosmith, while Liv is best known to audiences for playing Arwen in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. She's also appeared in Empire Records (1995), Armageddon (1998), The Incredible Hulk (2008), and on the TV shows The Leftovers, Harlots, and 9-1-1: Lone Star. —M.L.L.

Related: Liv Tyler: Steven Tyler cut grandchild's umbilical cord, she reveals on Jimmy Kimmel Live

While he has yet to star in films as popular as Point Break or Lethal Weapon like his father Gary, Jake Busey has maintained a consistent acting career, appearing on television shows like From Dusk Till Dawn, Ray Donovan, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, L.A.'s Finest, and season 3 of Stranger Things. —A.H.

Ryan and Tatum O'Neal have had a rocky relationship for much of her life, amplified by divorce and addiction. But the two made an unforgettable onscreen duo in 1973's Paper Moon, which made Tatum the youngest person ever to win a competitive Oscar. Both Ryan and Tatum are still acting, often appearing as guest stars on TV or in theatrical productions. —M.L.L.

Related: Tatum O'Neal on her biggest roles

From a mobster in The Godfather to elite Hawaiian police officer on Hawaii Five-0, James and Scott Caan have always played memorable characters. James died in July 2022 at the age of 82. —A.H.

Rock star Lenny Kravitz is the son of actress Roxie Roker, so it's not all that odd that his daughter by actress Lisa Bonet, Zoë Kravitz, chose the same path. While Lenny continues his music career, Zoë has built a steady career for herself, particularly on prestige television projects like Big Little Lies and High Fidelity, and on the big screen as Selina Kyle in 2022's The Batman. —M.L.L.

Related: Zoë Kravitz calls out Hulu for lack of diversity after High Fidelity cancellation

As a member of the Beatles and a storied artist beyond that, Paul McCartney is one of the biggest rock stars to ever live. But his daughter Stella has her own brand recognition—literally. Stella is an iconic fashion designer with an eponymous brand, and she's partnered with everyone from Adidas to Taylor Swift, even being the creative director for Team Great Britain during the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. She paid tribute to her father's legacy in 2021 with a fashion collection in conjunction with the docuseries The Beatles: Get Back. —M.L.L.

Related: Paul McCartney through the years

Both veteran actors in their own right, Will and Jaden Smith have made acting a family affair, having starred in two films together over the years. Daughter Willow is also a force to be reckoned with, appearing opposite Will in 2007's I Am Legend and launching a music career with Jay-Z's record label Roc Nation. —M.L.L.

Related: See the Pinkett-Smith's brood through the years

One's the controversial sitcom star Charlie Sheen. One's a former member of the 1980s Brat Pack, Emilio Estévez. One's played both a U.S. president and Uncle Ben, Martin Sheen. But they all have left a lasting impact on Hollywood. —A.H.

Related: Along the Way review; written by Martin Sheen and Emilio Estévez with Hope Edelman

It's incredible that so much talent could be in one family but Henry Fonda and children Jane and Peter suggest there's something special in their gene pool. Henry Fonda was a classic Hollywood star in films like The Grapes of Wrath (1940) and 12 Angry Men (1957), and Peter and Jane both followed in dad's footsteps as performers. Peter and Jane were both 1960s icons with Peter emblematizing the counterculture writing and starring in 1969's Easy Rider and Jane taking an active role in Civil Rights activism and anti-Vietnam War protests. Peter died in 2019, but Jane is still acting and agitating, starring on Netflix's Grace and Frankie for seven seasons. —M.L.L.

Related: Jane Fonda's best 20 performances

After small roles in both film and television throughout the years, Patrick Schwarzenegger proved he was a leading man in his own right when he starred in Midnight Sun (2018) alongside Bella Thorne and followed it up with the horror film Daniel Isn't Real (2019). But could he follow in his father Arnold's footsteps and add action star to his résumé? You bet! Patrick went on to star in the action-thriller Stowaway (2022) and on the Amazon series The Terminal List. —A.H.

While Brian Williams rose to popularity as a respected newsman and nightly anchor (though he was demoted in 2015 for misrepresenting events while he was covering the Iraq War in 2003), Allison Williams chose to pursue acting. She rose to fame on HBO's Girls, and has continued to work steadily in films like Get Out (2017) and on the TV adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events. —M.L.L.

Related: Allison Williams defends father Brian Williams

Within a family of entertainers too big to count are Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. From Happy Endings to New Girl to Lethal Weapon, the father even turned up on his son's sitcom, Happy Together. —A.H.

Related: Damon Wayans Jr. reveals how he convinced his dad to appear on Happy Together

Jon Voight and Angelina Jolie don't have the best relationship of the families on this list. She's previously said they don't speak, and she chooses to use her mother's surname. But they do share a profession. Jolie actually made her screen debut opposite her father in Lookin' to Get Out (1982). Voight rose to fame in the late-1960s and 1970s in films like Midnight Cowboy, and Jolie made a similar provocative bid for fame in edgier fare like Hackers (1995) and Girl, Interrupted (1999) before embarking on franchises like Tomb Raider and Maleficent. —M.L.L.

Related: Angelina Jolie doesn't rule out future move to politics

While Adam Arkin has followed in his father Alan's footsteps as an actor, it seems he is just as passionate about a career behind the camera, directing episodes of Masters of Sex, Billions, Fargo, and The Offer, to name a few. —A.H.

Related: Oscar race 2007: Alan Arkin

Comedian Rob Schneider, known for his work alongside friends Adam Sandler and David Spade, is father to singer-songwriter Elle King. Best known for her hit single, "Ex's & Oh's," King has carved herself out a space as a bluesy vocalist distinct from her father's goofier sensibilities as an artist. —M.L.L.

Related: Meet Elle King, rock's new renegade

One of Hollywood's most famous acting families, this critically acclaimed trio of Jeff Bridges, Beau Bridges, and their father, Lloyd Bridges, have amassed countless acting awards between the three of them and brought us unforgettable characters. —A.H.

Related: Jeff Bridges gives joyous, epic thank you speech for the Golden Globes' Cecil B. DeMille Award: 'We're alive, man!'

Arguably, Jennifer Aniston has eclipsed her father in fame with her star-making success on Friends that she parlayed into a film career (2006's The Break-Up, 2011's Horrible Bosses, 2014's Cake) and continued TV work like The Morning Show. The two share a start in television — John is most famous for his role as Victor Kiriakis on the soap opera Days of Our Lives, which he originated in July 1985 and has played continuously since. —M.L.L.

Related: Jennifer Aniston makes surprise appearance at Daytime Emmys to honor her father

There was a period of time when Tom Hanks' other son, rapper Chet Haze, was stealing most of the spotlight—and not necessarily for the best reasons. But Colin's roles on Drunk History, Life in Pieces, Fargo, and The Offer, among others, have him back on top. —A.H.

Related: Sundance Q&A: A chat with Colin Hanks, his new indie—and that other Hanks guy

Nicole Richie is perhaps the epitome of celebrity in that she's predominantly famous for being herself, but she has strong Hollywood roots. The adopted daughter of famous "Hello" singer Lionel Richie, she rose to fame alongside childhood best friend Paris Hilton on the reality series The Simple Life. Since then, Nicole has branched out into acting, having a series regular role on the sitcom Great News and a satirical lifestyle show on the defunct Quibi, Nikki Fre$h. —M.L.L.

Related: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie reunite, prompting fans to beg for The Simple Life return

This hilarious duo made audiences laugh for years, starring together in five films: Hot Pursuit (1987), Heavyweights (1995), Zoolander (2001), The Heartbreak Kid (2007), and Zoolander 2 (2016). —A.H.

Related: Ben Stiller reflects on the legacy of his late father, Jerry Stiller

Both John and Jason Ritter have had successful careers in television. While John appeared in beloved shows such as Three's Company and 8 Simple Rules, Jason has starred on shows such as Parenthood, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, Joan of Arcadia, and A Million Little Things. —A.H.

Related: Watch Jason Ritter make his mysterious debut on A Million Little Things

The Apatow clan is a talented bunch, with Judd directing, writing, and producing films and television while his wife Leslie Mann is a respected comedic actress. Maude got an early start playing the onscreen daughter of Mann in her father's films Knocked Up (2007), Funny People (2009), and This Is 40 (2012). She's struck out on her own appearing on TV series Euphoria and Hollywood, but she's still in the family business, making time to appear in another one of her father's films, The King of Staten Island (2020). —M.L.L.

Related: Watch The King of Staten Island cast talk accents, firefighters, and fart jokes

While Max Irons has proudly followed in his parents' footsteps, the actor admitted that the prospect of working with his father Jeremy Irons is his worst nightmare. —A.H.

Both Carl and Rob Reiner kept acting All in the Family, with decades of work each in the industry. Carl died in June 2020 at the age of 98. —A.H.

Related: Rob Reiner, Alan Alda, more pay tribute to comedy legend Carl Reiner: 'He is irreplaceable'

Kirk Douglas was one of the last surviving movie stars of Hollywood's Golden Age when he died at 103 in 2020. His son Michael rose to fame in the 1980s as Wall Street shark Gordon Gekko and continues to appear in projects such as Ant-Man and the Netflix series The Kominsky Method. —A.H.

Related: Kirk Douglas' most memorable roles: Spartacus, The Bad and the Beautiful, and more

We throw around the phrase "Hollywood dynasty," but few embody it quite as completely as the Hustons. John Huston was a respected director of the Hollywood Golden Age, shooting Humphrey Bogart to fame in films like The Maltese Falcon, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, and The African Queen. John was himself the son of beloved character actor Walter Huston (who John directed to an Oscar in Sierra Madre). His own children—particularly Anjelica and Danny—have gone on to illustrious acting careers with John also directing Anjelica to Oscar gold in Prizzi's Honor (1985). Anjelica has appeared in hits like The Witches (1990), The Addams Family (1991), The Royal Tenenbaums (2000), and more. Danny is a star of both film and television with projects like Children of Men (2006), Wonder Woman (2017), American Horror Story, and Succession to his credit. —M.L.L.

Related: Anjelica Huston says she doesn't 'really know why' Hollywood would remake The Witches