Chemistry can be a difficult thing to create . More often than not — you either have it or you don’t. But in very rare instances, it can also be something you’re born with. Or rather — born into.
Below are 10+ TV and movie families played by real relatives. Their real-life experiences helped to make these some of the most unforgettable moments to ever grace the big and small screens .
Sylvester and Sage Stallone in *Rocky V*.
Rocky V isn’t going to be remembered as one of the great sports movies of the era. In fact, it probably won’t be remembered at all.
But what it lacks in plot and character substance, it makes up for in heartfelt father/son moments between Rocky and Rocky Jr.
Henry and Jane Fonda in *On Golden Pond*.
Henry played the proverbial ‘Old P**p’ Norman Thayer while Jane played his estranged daughter, Chelsea.
Ironically, this is one of the only times that father and daughter ever appeared in the same film with one another.
Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal in *Donnie Darko*.
You can’t fake the real-life sibling banter that takes place between Maggie and Jake during their dinner table scene.
Listening to Elizabeth telling Donnie to go ” s**k a [expletive]” is one of the more unexpectedly hilarious moments in the film.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Blythe Danner in *Sylvia*.
They may not have the same last name but make no mistake: Gwyneth is Blythe’s daughter.
The mother/daughter duo was electric in 2005’s Sylvia ; a semi-autobiographical account of poet Sylvia Plath’s real-life love affair with Ted Hughes.
Leslie Mann, Iris Apatow, and Maude Apatow in *Knocked Up*.
Do you remember those adorable (and hilarious) little girls from Knocked Up ? They’re actually the real life of children of actress Leslie Mann and director Judd Apatow.
Knocked Up was Maude Apatow ‘s acting debut.
Will and Jaden Smith in *The Pursuit Of Happyness*.
In a similar vein, The Pursuit of Happyness was also the first time that rising star Jaden Smith ever stepped foot in front of the camera.
The real-life father/son bond between these two was absolutely staggering to watch.
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in *Eyes Wide Shut*.
Eyes Wide Shut was the last film that Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman starred in as husband and wife.
Shortly after the film’s release, they announced their plans to divorce citing irreconcilable differences.
Bruce and Rumer Willis in *Hostage*.
Hostage was the first film to star the real-life father/daughter combo of Bruce and Rumer Willis .
If the film doesn’t ring any bells, don’t feel too badly — it only managed to score a 35% on the Tomatometer .
Will and Jaden Smith (again) in *After Earth*
Yet another showcasing of the paternal bond that exists between Jaden and his real-life dad, Will Smith .
And while After Earth may have misfired on several fronts, Jaden succeeds in delivering a truly remarkable performance.
Cole and Dylan Sprouse on *The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody*.
I suppose it should go without saying that Dylan and Cole are brothers in real life. I mean, they are identical twins after all.
These days, Cole is still acting while Dylan aspires to be a professional photographer.
Will Smith and Willow Smith in *I Am Legend*.
Willow’s acting debut wasn’t exactly a lengthy appearance, but she still manages to make an impact.
You can catch her briefly on the bridge during the flashback sequence in I Am Legend .
Colin and Tom Hanks in *The Great Buck Howard*.
This is only the second feature film that Tom and Colin have appeared in together.
In The Great Buck Howard , Colin plays Troy Gable ; aide to the great failing magician Buck Howard and Tom plays his father, Mr. Gable.
Angelina Jolie And Jon Voight in *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider*
Angelina and Jon were estranged before reuniting to film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider . By Angelina’s own admission, she found filming to be incredibly emotional.
The two even had to be separated so as to not become overcome with emotion while on set.
Martin and Charlie Sheen in *Wall Street*.
In Wall Street , Martin Sheen plays Carl Fox; a blue-collar, salt of the earth type character. His son Bud is an ambitious rising star on Wall Street, unable to see how dangerously close to corruption he truly is.
In real life, Martin and Charlie are perhaps the most well-known father/son duo in Tinsel Town.
Eugene and Dan Levy in *Schitt’s Creek*.
You can fake a lot of things in movies and TV but you can’t fake eyebrows as Dan and Eugene have.
Also, am I the only one who has been going through serious Schitt’s Creek withdrawal? Is it too early for a reunion or reboot?
Last Updated on March 22, 2021 by Jordan Claes