Nepotism is something that infiltrates every single avenue of the professional world . Parents instinctively want to do all they can to help their children, and sometimes that means using their star power to get what they want.
Luckily for movie/TV audiences, t he apple typically doesn’t fall very far from the tree . Have a look below and check out these 15 actors, all of whom got their first roles thanks to their parents.
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Angelina Jolie’s first starring role came courtesy of her father, Jon Voight.
The film was called Looking To Get Out and Jon not only starred in the picture but he also wrote the screenplay. Angelina played his young daughter in the movie.
Lorelei Linklater appeared at the beginning of Richard Linklater’s highly philosophical film, ‘Waking Life’.
Lorelai is the young girl who we see playing the paper fortune teller game at the beginning of the film. Richard also cast her in Boyhood .
Colin Hanks’ big break came later in life, thanks to his famous father, Tom Hanks.
That Thing You Do was Colin Hanks’ first time in front of a camera . His father, Tom, wrote the film as an ode to the rock bands of the ’50s and ’60s.
Wyatt Russell owes his career in part to his father, Kurt Russell.
Wyatt is actually reported to have taken his first steps on the set of Overboard , starring both his father, Kurt, and mother, Goldie Hawn. Wyatt’s first on-screen appearance happened in Escape From L.A. — in which Kurt also starred in.
Scott Eastwood was given a helping hand by his famous father, Clint Eastwood.
Clint made the almost seamless transition from an Oscar-worthy actor to an Oscar-winning director. In 2006, Scott’s first role in Flags of Our Fathers came courtesy of his dear old dad .
Harley Quinn Smith’s film debut came courtesy of her director dad, Kevin Smith.
Kevin Smith is renowned for creating Jay and Silent Bob from Clerks . Harley’s first appearance on screen came in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back , where she played a baby version of her father .
Lilly Collins’ first role was in a movie that her dad, the great Phil Collins, wrote the soundtrack for.
Disney’s Tarzan is one of the most underrated films in the Disney canon. In the movie, Lilly gives her voice to one of the young apes.
Maude Apatow is the adorable little girl from ‘Knocked Up’.
Her father, the legendary comedic writer/director Judd Apatow, didn’t have to look very far when it came to casting. His youngest daughter, Iris , also makes a small cameo appearance.
John David Washington might never have become the rising young star he is today, were it not for his father, Denzel Washington.
Before John wowed audiences with his performance in Tenet , he had a small cameo appearance in his father’s film, Malcolm X.
Sosie Bacon is the daughter of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick.
Sosie’s first time on camera was in the film Loverboy , which was directed by her dad. The film truly was a family affair and starred her mother as the older version of the same character.
Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez both made their movie debuts in the same film.
The picture was called Badlands and it starred their father, actor Martin Sheen. If you’re wondering why Charlie and Emilio have different surnames , one is a stage name and the other is a given name.
Bryce Dallas Howard was given several chances by her father, director Ron Howard.
Bryce’s first confirmed role happened in Apollo 13 . She also appeared in How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Beautiful Mind — all three films were directed by her dad.
Francis Ford Coppola received criticism for casting his daughter, Sofia, in ‘The Godfather Part III’.
The role was originally supposed to go to Winona Ryder, but she had to bow out because of issues with her physical and mental health . Instead of casting another well-known actress, Francis looked to his own family.
The world might never have gotten to know Gwyneth Paltrow, were it not for her famous parents.
Gwyneth’s mother is actress Blythe Danner and her father was director/producer Bruce Paltrow. The first movie Gwyneth ever appeared in was called High , which her father wrote and produced .
Producer Aaron Spelling had a major part to play in casting his daughter, Tori, in ‘Beverly Hills 90210’.
Considering that he was an EP on the show and carried a heavy amount of influence , it’s no wonder why Tori was given a shot.
Last Updated on August 15, 2022 by Jordan Claes
