16 Movie And TV Show Family Members Played By Real-Life Relatives
Do you mix family and work? See what they have to say.
Some movie families make casting look almost too easy. When real-life relatives play parents, children, or siblings on screen, the chemistry is already built in.
From Angelina Jolie and Jon Voight to Meryl Streep and Mamie Gummer, these actors brought family ties into films and TV shows in a way that made the roles feel even more believable. In some cases, spouses, parents, and children shared the screen as fictional relatives, turning real connections into part of the story.
That mix of Hollywood and family history makes these casting choices hard to forget. Read on.
1. Creation - Spouses Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany played Emma and Charles Darwin
They met while filming A Beautiful Mind.
Icon Film Distribution / Via youtube.com2. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - Angelina Jolie and her father, Jon Voight, played Lara and Richard Croft
Despite a break in their relationship caused by an interview Jon gave following the film's release, they have recently "gotten to know each other" through Angelina's children.
Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com3. On Golden Pond - Henry Fonda and his daughter Jane portrayed Norman Thayer Jr. and Chelsea Thayer Wayne
Accepting the Oscar for Best Actor on his behalf was "the best day of her life," according to Jane.
Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com
4. Schitt's Creek - Eugene Levy and his son Dan played Johnny and David Rose
Sarah Levy, Eugene's daughter, played local café worker Twyla Sands on the show.
CBC / Via Netflix
5. Rocky V - Sylvester Stallone and his son Sage played Rocky Balboa and his son
MGM/UA Communications Co. / Via youtube.com
6. Sherlock - Sherlock's dad and mom were played by Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham, Benedict Cumberbatch's parents
"It was nerve-racking because they are actors as well, yet they were brilliant and fantastic," Benedict said.
BBC / Via Netflix
The Secret Twins Of Your Favorite Stars is wild, especially when you spot celebrity twins hiding in plain sight.
7. The Great Buck Howard - Colin Hanks and his dad, Tom, played Troy Gable and his father
Magnolia Pictures / Via youtube.com
8. Hostage - Bruce Willis and his daughter Rumer played Jeff and Amanda Talley
Bruce once said that when Rumer asked to be part of the movie, he told her she needed to audition. "I'm not going to give you this part; you have to earn it," he explained.
Miramax Films / Via youtube.com
9. Paper Moon - Tatum O'Neal and her father, Ryan, played Addie Loggins and Moses Pray
Ryan hoped that the project would strengthen their bond. He said, "This was the first opportunity to try to channel her energy and mind into something constructive and give her what she never had enough of — love."
Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com
10. Ricki and the Flash - Mamie Gummer and her mother, Meryl Streep, played Julie Brummel and Ricki Rendazzo
Sony Pictures Entertainment / Via youtube.com
11. A Quiet Place - Spouses Emily Blunt and John Krasinski played Evelyn and Lee Abbott
Emily revealed that while she initially didn't want to be in the movie and suggested a friend for the part, she changed her mind after reading the script.
"I realized that of all the projects we’ve been sent to do together — and there have been many — it would really serve this film that we were married in real life."
Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com
12. The Heartbreak Kid - Ben Stiller and his dad, Jerry, played Eddie and Doc Cantrow
They have worked together on other projects, including Zoolander.
Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com
13. Knocked Up - Leslie Mann and her daughters, Iris and Maude Apatow, played Debbie and her children
Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com
14. Donnie Darko - Jake Gyllenhaal and his sister, Maggie, played Donnie and Elizabeth Darko
Pandora Cinema / Via youtube.com
15. The Pursuit of Happyness - Jaden Smith and his father, Will, played Christopher Gardner Jr. and Chris Gardner
Sony Pictures Releasing / Via youtube.com
16. Hannah Montana - Miley Cyrus and her dad, Billy Ray, played Miley and Robby Ray Stewart
Disney / Via disneyplus.com
What do you think? Did these actor duos do a good job of conveying the parent-child and sibling dynamic on the big screen?
No matter the outcome, one thing is certain, one of the easiest ways to get a break in the movie industry is to be born into a showbiz family. And for the rest of us?
Well, we still have our dreams, right?
Want another family twist on set? See how Ryan Gosling’s daughters added humor to Project Hail Mary.
