Pop culture

15 Celebrities You Didn't Know Have Famous Dads

Following the footsteps to fame, these A-list celebrities have fathers who may be bigger stars than they are. 

angelina jolie jon voight los angeles ca person human suit coat overcoat clothing apparel face tie accessories

Life in the spotlight certainly comes with its own complications — it is not meant for the faint-hearted. Yet, the following celebrities, who already grew up amongst countless magazine interviews and overbearing paparazzi photography, all decided to pursue ultimate stardom. On this journey, some kept their famous last names, while others didn’t, hiding their famous heritage. For many of these stars, unless you follow them closely, you wouldn't know they had some inherited fame, some stardom in their genes. 

With Father’s Day upon us, L’OFFICIEL rounds up 15 celebrities that you may not realize have equally famous or even more famous dads. From Benedict Cumberbatch to Blake Lively, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree for these A-listers.

Emma Roberts & Eric Roberts

Emma Roberts smiling her dad Eric Roberts.
Young Emma Roberts with her dad and fellow actor Eric Roberts.

Like father, like daughter. Eric Roberts and Emma Roberts are both acclaimed actors who have been recognized for their leading roles in blockbusters, independent films, and TV series. From Runaway Train to The Dark Knight, Eric Roberts is one of the only actors to amass over 600 credits. Emma Roberts followed suit at a young age, making her acting debut at age nine. Since then, she has portrayed a range of roles from Nancy Drew (2007) to Chanel Oberlin in Scream Queens. Julia Roberts is Emma’s aunt, solidifying the Robert family’s power in the industry. 

Zoë Kravitz and Lenny Kravitz

Zoe Kravitz and Lenny Kravitz looking at the camera.
Zoë and Lenny are the ultimate father-daughter duo at Paris Fashion Week.

Zoë Kravitz, who starred as Catwoman alongside Robert Pattinson in The Batman, is most definitely the child of Hollywood royalty: Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz. Other than being a big-time actress, Zoë has also released several albums following in the footsteps of her rockstar father and is currently working on a debut album with producer Jack Antonoff. No doubt the Kravitz family is teeming with artistic talent with Lenny being a four-time Grammy winner for songs such as "It Ain’t Over Til’ It’s Over" and "Again."

Nicolas Cage & August Coppola

Nicolas Cage and August Coppola smiling for a photo.
Nicolas Cage with father August Coppola and mother Joy Vogelsang in 1998.

Nicolas Cage, or Nicolas Kim Coppola, was born into the Coppola family of Italian-American filmmakers and actors. Although Cage's father August Coppola began his career as an academic, he went on to become a film executive for his renowned brother Francis Ford Coppola’s film studio. Despite having the ultimate family connections, Cage found the last name hindering his relationship with casting agents and other actors as they could not separate him from his family fame. After a name change early in his career, Cage became a star in his own right, notably winning an Academy Award for his role in Leaving Las Vegas.

Lily-Rose Depp & Johnny Depp

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A young Lily-Rose Depp is photographed with her dad.

One of the biggest celebrity names still in your news feed is actor Johnny Depp, especially after a six-week, widely publicized trial with ex-wife Amber Heard. But what you may have noticed is that his daughter, Lily-Rose Depp, made the decision to remain silent throughout the process. Lily-Rose was born into the spotlight as her mother Vanessa Paradis was one of the most successful French singers of all time, and her father Johnny Depp is known as one of the world’s biggest film stars. Continuing a legacy destined for fame, Lily-Rose stars in both French and English films and is currently making headlines for her starring role in the TV series The Idol alongside The Weeknd.

Benedict Cumberbatch & Timothy Carlton

Benedict Cumberbatch and Timothy Carlton in suits.
Benedict and Timothy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in 2015.

Benedict Cumberbatch has had major roles in plays as well as television and film. From playing Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series Sherlock to Alan Turing in The Imitation Game, Cumberbatch's outstanding performances have gained him various awards including a Laurence Olivier Award for his performance in the stage adaptation of Frankenstein. Whilst Cumberbatch's father Timothy Carlton may not be as internationally recognized, he had an equally distinguished career in England, appearing in several BBC television series since 1996.

Blake Lively & Ernie Lively

Blake Lively and Ernie Lively smiling for the camera.
Blake and Ernie Lively at the Golden Globe Awards, 2009.

You may have watched Blake Lively's performance in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but what you may not know is that Blake’s father Ernie Lively played her on-screen dad. Ernie has worked for more than five decades in Hollywood, from the television series The Waltons to the action film Passenger 57. All five of his children, including Blake, have been influenced to follow in his acting footsteps. Ernie passed away in June 2021 after cardiac complications, but his legacy most certainly lives on. 

Jennifer Aniston & John Aniston

Jennifer Aniston and John Aniston.
John accompanying Jennifer to the premier of 'Picture Perfect.'

Daughter of actors John Aniston and Nancy Dow, Jennifer Aniston began working as an actress at a young age and achieved international recognition from her role as Rachel Green in Friends. John, also successful in television series, plays Victor Kiriakis on the NBC drama series Days of Our Lives, which is one of the longest-running television programs in the world and episodes are still continuing to air to this day.

Angelina Jolie & Jon Voight

Angelina Jolie and John Voight.
Angelina Jolie and John Voight in April 1991.

It is hard to imagine Angelina Jolie, one of the most successful and influential figures in Hollywood, having an equally acclaimed film star as a father. Jon Voight rose to fame in the '70s and then gave stellar biographical performances during the 2000s, including appearing as sportscaster Howard Cosell in Ali. The two have had quite a tumultuous relationship, especially as they were estranged for many years after her parents’ divorce and Jon’s inconsistency during Jolie's adulthood. However, it seems that recently this tension has been slightly alleviated through the presence of Jolie's children, Voight's grandchildren, as well as their similar passion for performing arts.

Jaden Smith, Willow Smith & Will Smith 

Jaden, Willow, and Will Smith looking at the camera.
Jaden, Willow, and Will Smith attend an award show together in 2013.

Actor Will Smith, who won a 2022 Academy award, most definitely prepared his children for stardom. Jaden Smith began his career by acting alongside Will, first in the film The Pursuit of Happyness and then in After Earth. Although Willow Smith also made her acting debut with her father, Willow is much more drawn to music. Her first single "Whip My Hair" immediately entered the Billboard Hot 100 and became platinum-certified. Since then, she has released five albums, with the most recent being "Coping Mechanism."

Ben Platt & Marc E. Platt

Ben Platt and Marc Platt.
Side by side, Ben and Marc share a very similar resemblance.

Ben Platt is most famously known for his title role in Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen, becoming the youngest recipient of the Tony Award for Best Actor in a musical. His love of theater is most definitely from his father Marc Platt, who has not only produced multiple musicals but also Academy Award-winning films like La La Land and The Trial of the Chicago 7. Artistic talent clearly runs in the Platt family.

Lily Collins & Phil Collins

Young Lily Collins with Phil Collins.
Phil Collins with young Lily Collins at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, 1999.

If you’ve watched Emily in Paris, you’ll know Lily Collins. The British-American actress began performing at the young age of two and can now be spotted in many rom-com's including The English Teacher and Love, Rosie. Her father is the legendary Phil Collins, who was not only successful as the lead singer of the '80s rock band Genesis but also as a solo artist. What you may not know is that Phil actually completed drama school training and began his performance career as a child actor in the West End, which certainly influenced Lily’s early love for acting.

Ben Stiller & Jerry Stiller

Ben and Jerry Stiller.
Both Ben and Jerry Stiller are legendary comedians and entertainers.

Throughout his career Ben Stiller has written, starred in, directed, and produced more than 50 films, making it impossible not to recognize his distinct comedic style. Being the son of comedic legend Jerry Stiller, who starred in the '90s sitcom Seinfeld, Ben was immersed in the acting and comedy scene from a very young age. Before Jerry passed away in 2020, they made an incredible father-son duo, having multiple on-screen appearances together, including Zoolander and The Heartbreak Kid.

John David Washington & Denzel Washington

John David and Denzel Washington.
Denzel and John David Washington attend a basketball game in Los Angeles.

John David Washington first began by pursuing a professional football career before pivoting to acting, a decision certainly influenced by his two-time Oscar-winning father Denzel Washington. Denzel’s powerful performances have certainly carried through to his 38-year-old son, who has rapidly risen to fame in the past six years, starring in BlacKkKlansman, Tenet, and Malcolm & Marie

Jessica Capshaw & Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg and Jessica Capshaw.
Steven Spielberg and Jessica Capshaw at the Oscar Nominees Luncheon in 2007.

Steven Spielberg has a stellar reputation as one of Hollywood’s most famous directors, directing classics like Jaws, E.T, and Empire of the Sun, as well as more recently West Side Story (2022). What most people don’t know is that Jessica Capshaw, who famously starred as Dr. Arizona Robbins on Grey's Anatomy for 10 seasons, is Spielberg’s stepdaughter. Capshaw pursued her acting career without relying on her famous stepfather for opportunities, graduating from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and then attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

Jack Quaid & Dennis Quaid

Jack and Dennis Quaid.
Jack Quaid and Dennis Quaid in New York City, 2015.

Born in Los Angeles to established actors Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, Jack Quaid certainly was immersed in the performing arts environment growing up. He made his acting debut in The Hunger Games and then secured his breakout role as a vigilante in the superhero series The Boys, portraying a variety of dramatic and comedic roles, just like his father. Dennis’ credits include The Parent Trap, Good Company, and Vantage Point.

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