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Nepo grandkids? 11 celebrities whose parents and grandparents were already big in Hollywood, from Dakota Johnson, Drew Barrymore and Zoë Kravitz, to Elvis and Steve McQueen’s famous grandchildren

Generations of fame: Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley and Riley Keough place their handprints in cement at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, California in June 2022. Photo: Reuters
Nepo babies remain one of the internet’s favourite topics, even after Vulture declared that 2022 was the “year of the nepo baby”. Too soon?

But some of your favourite celebrities might not just come from famous parents – they could have famous grandparents, or even great-grandparents.

These 17 celebrities have the unique distinction of having famous parents and famous children.

1. Dakota Johnson’s grandmother is Tippi Hedren

Dakota Johnson’s mother is Melanie Griffith, who in turn is the daughter of Tippi Hedren. Photo Getty

Dakota Johnson’s mother is Melanie Griffith, who in turn is the daughter of Tippi Hedren.

Kids today might know that Johnson, the daughter of Griffith and Miami Vice star Don Johnson (and former stepdaughter of Antonio Banderas) is a nepo baby.

But Johnson’s grandmother is an icon in her own right. She starred in two Alfred Hitchcock films, most famously The Birds, and also co-starred with Sean Connery in Marnie.

2. Zoë Kravitz grandmother is TV star Roxie Roker

Lenny Kravitz and Zoe Kravitz attend the Saint Laurent show as part of the Paris Fashion Week in February 2020. Photo: Getty

You probably know that Zoë Kravitz’s parents are Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz. But you might not have known that Lenny’s mother was Roxie Roker, star of The Jeffersons.

Zoë Kravitz, known for appearances in Big Little Lies, The Batman, High Fidelity, Kimi, and more, has defended her nepo-baby status in the past.

Zoë Kravitz’s parents are Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz. Photo: Getty

Her father, Lenny, is most famous for his music career. But his mother, Roxie, was a television pioneer. As part of her role on The Jeffersons, she was one-half of television’s first interracial couple, according to The New York Times.

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3. Riley Keough is Elvis’ granddaughter

Three generations of Presleys: Riley Keough, Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie and Benjamin Keough, take to the stage during the celebration of what would have been entertainer Elvis Presley’s 75th birthday in August 1977. Photo: EPA
Riley Keough is the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley, and the granddaughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley.

Keough followed in her mother’s (and grandfather’s) musical footsteps this year when she played the frontwoman of fictional band Daisy Jones & the Six in the Prime Video series of the name, showcasing her own musical talents and earning an Emmy nomination. The music from the show also earned a Grammy nomination.

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Lisa Marie, who died in January 2023, had a musical career, as well.

4. Billie Lourd is Carrie Fisher’s daughter and granddaughter of Debbie Reynolds

Carrie Fisher, the daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, was the mother of actress Billie Lourd. Photo: Getty

Carrie Fisher, the daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, was the mother of actress Billie Lourd

Reynolds, who died in 2016, is best known for two roles – one at the beginning of her career, and one towards the end: as Kathy in Singin’ in the Rain in 1952, and as Angie in the Halloweentown films across the 90s and 2000s.

With her then-husband entertainer Eddie Fisher, she welcomed Carrie Fisher, the OG Star Wars lead who became one of the most beloved stars of her time. Fisher also died in 2016.

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Fisher’s daughter, Lourd, is an actress in her own right, appearing in films like Booksmart and shows such as Scream Queens and American Horror Story.

She also joined the Star Wars family in 2015, appearing in The Force Awakens and its two sequels.

In 2020, Lourd posted about the birth of her own son, Kingston Fisher Lourd Rydell (named for her mother), on Instagram. Paying it forward.

5. Drew Barrymore’s dad and grandad were both actors

The Barrymore family is an acting dynasty that goes back to the 19th century, including Drew Barrymore, her father John Drew Barrymore, and her grandfather John Barrymore. Photo: Getty

The Barrymore family is an acting dynasty that goes back to the 19th century, including Drew Barrymore, her father John Drew Barrymore, and her grandfather John Barrymore.

In 2023, Drew is the most well-known member of the Barrymore family, but her family has been acting for over 100 years.

John Barrymore III sits on the shoulders of his father John D. Barrymore in 1958 as they watch the Ocean Skyway ride at Pacific Ocean Park in Santa Monica, California. Photo: AP

During a June 2023 profile in Vulture, Drew Barrymore told the publication she calls Turner Classic Movies the “family portal”, and documented a time when a movie starring her grandparents Dolores Costello and John Barrymore played.

6. Steven R. McQueen is – duh – Steve McQueen’s grandson

Chad McQueen is one of Steve’s two children, and the only son of the iconic actor known as the “king of cool”. Photo: Getty

ICYMI – Karate Kid star Chad McQueen, the only son of Steve McQueen, is the father of Vampire Diaries star Steven R. McQueen.

Chad McQueen is one of Steve’s two children, and the only son of the iconic actor known as the “king of cool”. When Chad was a kid, he was often spotted on the sets of his father’s films.

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He went on to have his own respectable film career, appearing in the first two Karate Kid films and Red Line.

In 2014, Steven R. McQueen was at the premiere of I Am Steve McQueen, a documentary about his grandfather, who died in 1980.

Karate Kid star Chad McQueen, the only son of actor Steve McQueen, is the father of Vampire Diaries star Steven R. McQueen (pictured). Photo: Getty

“I never got to meet my grandfather and I’m sure the younger audiences don’t know much about him,” he told The Wrap. Ouch. He added that his grandfather’s films are what inspired him to start acting.

7. Henry Fonda’s son Peter Fonda is Bridget Fonda’s dad – of course

Bridget Fonda is the daughter of Peter Fonda and granddaughter of Henry Fonda. Photo: Getty

Bridget Fonda is the daughter of Peter Fonda and granddaughter of Henry Fonda – and the niece of Jane Fonda.

Bridget Fonda stepped away from acting in the early 2000s, but at one point, she was part of the family business like her father Peter (who died in 2019), aunt Jane and grandfather Henry, who died in 1982.

Between all the Fondas mentioned, there are dozens of award wins and nominations, including four Oscar wins and nine more nominations.

8. Sarah Sutherland is Kiefer Sutherland’s son – and he’s the son of Donald Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland along with his father Donald Sutherland at the Governor’s Ball following the 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in August 2006. Photo: AP

Another dynasty emerges. Donald and Kiefer Sutherland might be more well-known than the youngest actor in their family, but any fan of Veep will know Sarah Sutherland as Catherine Meyer, the daughter of Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Selina.

“I’m very close with my father and grandfather, and I’m so proud to come from the family that I do,” she told ABC in 2021. “Because independent of them as men, I admire them so much as actors.”

9. Elia Kazan’s granddaughter Zoe Kazan is retracing his steps

American director Elia Kazan holding the Golden Bear of the Berlin Film festival, which he received in Berlin for his life’s work in 1996. Photo: AP

Actress and screenwriter Zoe Kazan is following in the footsteps of her father Nicholas Kazan and her grandfather Elia Kazan.

Elia Kazan was called “one of the most honoured and influential directors” in Hollywood history by The New York Times upon his death in 2003. He directed iconic plays such as A Streetcar Named Desire and Death of a Salesman, and directed classic films like On the Waterfront, East of Eden and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
Actress and screenwriter Zoe Kazan is following in the footsteps of her father Nicholas Kazan and her grandfather Elia Kazan. Photo: Getty

His son Nicholas Kazan and daughter-in-law Robin Swicord have worked together on screenplays throughout the years, including Matilda and Bicentennial Man.

Elia’s granddaughter Zoe Kazan, who has worked as an actress and screenwriter as well, is following in his footsteps.

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In 2022, Deadline reported that she will be writing a limited series adaptation of East of Eden starring Florence Pugh, almost 70 years after her grandfather’s film.

10. Cuba Gooding Sr. is Mason Gooding’s grandfather

Cuba Gooding Jr. is the son of Cuba Gooding Sr., and the father of Scream star Mason Gooding. Photo: Getty

Which means one thing: Cuba Gooding Jr. is the son of Cuba Gooding Sr., and the father of Scream star Mason Gooding.

Mason told ComicBook.com that his favourite movie of his father’s is Jerry Maguire, which earned Gooding Jr. his first Oscar in 1997.

“He always said that before he got Jerry Maguire [that he] related to the character so much because and had a baby on the way, which was me, and it led up to the perfect time and atmosphere to get the role. All the stars lined up, making it what it was,” Mason told BET in 2019.

Father and son: Cuba Gooding Sr. congratulating his son Cuba Gooding Jr. Photo: Getty

Gooding Sr., who died in 2017, was the lead singer of the soul group The Main Ingredient in the 70s.

11. Ronan Farrow’s grandad was actor John Farrow

Mia Farrow’s parents were Irish acting icon Maureen O’Sullivan and Oscar winner John Farrow. Photo: Getty

You probably know that Ronan Farrow is Mia Farrow’s son – but did you know Mia’s parents were Irish acting icon Maureen O’Sullivan and Oscar winner John Farrow?

Mia Farrow’s parents both had long and successful careers in show business, with her father, John Farrow, being an Oscar-winning screenwriter and her mother, Maureen O’Sullivan, being named one of the best Irish actors of all time by The Irish Times.

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Mia Farrow herself has been nominated for Golden Globes for her performances in Rosemary’s Baby, The Purple Rose of Cairo, and more.

Ronan and Mia Farrow together. Photo: @ronanfarrow/Instagram

Her son, Ronan Farrow, isn’t an actor, but he is still a public figure. He’s known for his reporting in The New Yorker and his book Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predator.

Read the original article on Business Insider.
  • The world might be obsessed with ‘nepo babies’, but what about the kids born into generations of fame? We’re looking at you Riley Keough, Steven R. McQueen, Sarah Sutherland, Ronan Farrow, Mason Gooding and co.
  • Tippi Hedren is Dakota Johnson’s grandmother, Drew Barrymore’s dad and grandad were both actors, Henry Fonda’s son Peter Fonda is Bridget Fonda’s dad … you get the picture