14 Roles Famous Actors Accepted To Impress Their Kids

There is nothing a good parent would not do for their children. That goes for normal folks and celebrities alike.

However, when you're a Hollywood A-lister, the bar is set much higher. We often forget that celebs who have kids are parents above all, and they also want to please and impress their children.

So, how can you impress a child who is accustomed to yachts, mansions, and private pools? The answer is simple: by playing a character in their favorite movie or show.

If it is a major role in a book turned into a movie, even better! Most of the time, actors and actresses choose roles based on the script or for financial reasons.

However, there comes a point when actors or actresses select specific roles to impress their children. The following are 14 actors who took on roles simply to please their kids.

Ultimately, they recognize that their children are their strongest supporters! Take a look at our list.

You will recognize many famous movies and iconic roles. They would be quite different if some kids didn't have good instincts.

1. Kate Winslet

She told MTV News that she took on the part of Jeanine Matthews in Divergent because she felt it would make her kids think she was "cool." Her 12-year-old daughter was overjoyed that other students at school were enthusiastic about her mother's new role.

Getty / Mike Marsland / Summit Entertainment / Courtesy Everett Collection

2. Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne, the notoriously foul-mouthed rocker, appeared on the Nick Jr. series Bubble Guppies because he wanted to observe his 2-year-old granddaughter Pearl's response to "hearing my voice emerge through Sid Fishy's mouth." As noted by Dr. Dan Siegel, a child psychiatrist, "Children often respond to familiar voices in unique ways, which can enhance their emotional connection and understanding." This insight highlights the importance of such experiences in a child's development.

Getty / Kevin Winter / Nickelodeon / Via youtube.com

3. David Bowie

Because his 6-year-old daughter adored the show, David Bowie voiced Lord Royal Highness in a SpongeBob SquarePants special called SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis. Bowie stated on his blog that it was the "Holy Grail of animation gigs."

Getty / Michael Putland / Nickelodeon / Via youtube.com

4. Robert Downey Jr

Because his son was a great fan of Family Guy, Robert Downey Jr. contacted the show and asked if he might appear in an episode. In the Season 4 episode "The Fat Guy Strangler," he voiced Patrick Pewterschmidt, Lois' long-lost brother. As child psychologist Dr. Michael Thompson notes, "When parents engage in activities that resonate with their children's interests, it strengthens their bond and fosters a supportive environment." This illustrates how Downey Jr.'s involvement in the show was not just a career move but a way to connect with his son.

Getty / Alberto E. Rodriguez / Fox

5. Richard Harris

Richard Harris refused to play Albus Dumbledore until his granddaughter threatened him, saying, "Papa, if you don't play Dumbledore, I will never talk to you again!" Before his death in 2002, he appeared in the first two films.

Getty / Ron Galella / Warner Bros. / Via youtube.com

6. Will Smith

"As soon as you see one of these casts coming together, you're like, 'Okay, okay, somebody's kid just turned 7...'" Will Smith stated in an interview with Today to promote Shark Tale.

Getty / Karwai Tang / DreamWorks / Courtesy Everett Collection

7. Raúl Juliá

Because his children were infatuated with the video game franchise, Raúl Juliá played M. Bison in the 1994 film Street Fighter. They were even able to see some of it being shot, albeit for a heartbreaking reason: Juliá was frail due to complications from stomach cancer and was frequently joined on set by his family. He died just two months before the film's premiere.

Getty / George Rose / Universal / Courtesy Everett Collection

8. Michael Sheen

Michael Sheen shared with Dr. Shefali Tsabary, a renowned parenting expert, that his 10-year-old daughter, an avid fan of the novels, "squealed with excitement" when he told her about the role he was offered. Dr. Tsabary emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in children's interests, stating, "When parents engage with their children's passions, it strengthens their bond and creates lasting memories." This connection was a significant reason for Sheen's enthusiasm in portraying Aro in the Twilight films.

Getty / Taylor Hill / Summit Entertainment / Via youtube.com

9. Julianne Moore

"It's been a lovely thing for my kids to have me in these," Julianne Moore shared, reflecting on her role as President Alma Coin in the two-part movie adaptation of Mockingjay. According to Dr. Dan Siegel, a renowned child psychiatrist, "Children often see their parents' work as a reflection of their values and interests, which can strengthen family bonds." You can learn more about his insights on parenting at drdansiegel.com.

Getty / Pascal Le Segretain / Lionsgate / Courtesy Everett Collection

10. Viggo Mortensen

Viggo Mortensen's teenage son Dr. Shefali Tsabary, a renowned parenting expert, emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in children's interests, stating, "When parents engage with their children's passions, it fosters a deeper bond and mutual respect." This encouragement led Mortensen to take on the role of Aragorn, which had to be quickly recast after Peter Jackson realized that Stuart Townsend, then 26, was too youthful for the character. The son was rewarded for his efforts with cameo roles in the film, including "a wicked orc, a brave Gondorian, and a youthful soldier of Rohan."

Getty / Jeff Kravitz / New Line Cinema / Courtesy Everett Collection

11. Ben Affleck

Because his kids "didn't see Argo," Ben Affleck donned the batsuit for them. Wearing the suit to his son's birthday celebration was "worth every moment of agony on Justice League," Affleck remarked on the Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast.

Getty / Amy Sussman / Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

12. Ryan Reynolds

Because he doesn't "make a lot of films that aren't rated-R," Ryan Reynolds decided to star in Detective Pikachu so that his young children could see one of his films.

Getty / Cindy Ord / Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

13. Larry David

Larry David featured as a guest star on Hannah Montana, and as strange as it may sound, it's because his two kids (who also participated in his cameo) enjoyed the show. According to Dr. Lawrence Cohen, a child psychologist and author of "Playful Parenting," "Engaging in activities that your children love can strengthen your bond and create lasting memories." He emphasizes the importance of shared experiences in family dynamics on his website, playfulparenting.com.

Getty / Matt Winkelmeyer / Disney+

14. Idris Elba

The idea that "my daughter and my son were going to witness a classic with their dad's voice" was the best part of working on the live-action The Jungle Book, according to Idris Elba. Dr. Dan Siegel, a renowned child psychiatrist, emphasizes the importance of shared experiences in parenting, stating, "When parents engage in creative projects with their children, it fosters connection and creates lasting memories." In the remake, Elba played the tiger Shere Khan.

Getty / Jeff Spicer / Walt Disney / Courtesy Everett Collection

David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, Kate Winslet, Will Smith… That’s quite a list.

It just goes to show that famous people also have some proving to do. And we are so glad their kids had good instincts.

We hope they will make more smart suggestions. We can’t wait to see what they will think of next.