16 Movie And TV Show Family Members Played By Real-Life Relatives

Do you mix family and work? See what they have to say.

Family tradition is important, and children often follow in their parents' footsteps when choosing a career. If your parents happen to be famous, that's even better.

[ADVERTISEMENT]

Who doesn't dream of stardom and the good life? Being a famous actor is a great way to achieve that, especially if you have parents to support you.

[ADVERTISEMENT]

It’s no wonder that many of today’s stars come from families with deep roots in showbiz. If you were born into a family of actors, you likely spent your entire life on set with your renowned parents.

Celebrity children are exposed to cameras from an early age and are often captivated by the magic of the film industry, with many wanting to follow in their parents' footsteps. After achieving fame, young celebrities even request their older parents to reprise their roles on the big screen.

Going to work with our parents may seem like the worst idea ever to some of us. But what if you come from a family of great actors?

Isn't art supposed to imitate life? These performers shared the screen with their children, from Meryl Streep and Mamie Gummer to Will and Jaden Smith, Jon Voight, and Angelina Jolie.

1. Creation - Spouses Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany played Emma and Charles Darwin

They met while filming A Beautiful Mind.

1. Creation - Spouses Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany played Emma and Charles DarwinIcon Film Distribution / Via youtube.com
[ADVERTISEMENT]

2. 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.

2. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - Angelina Jolie and her father, Jon Voight, played Lara and Richard CroftParamount Pictures / Via youtube.com
[ADVERTISEMENT]

3. 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.

3. On Golden Pond - Henry Fonda and his daughter Jane portrayed Norman Thayer Jr. and Chelsea Thayer WayneUniversal 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.

4. Schitt's Creek - Eugene Levy and his son Dan played Johnny and David RoseCBC / Via Netflix

5. Rocky V - Sylvester Stallone and his son Sage played Rocky Balboa and his son

5. Rocky V - Sylvester Stallone and his son Sage played Rocky Balboa and his sonMGM/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.

6. Sherlock - Sherlock's dad and mom were played by Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham, Benedict Cumberbatch's parentsBBC / Via Netflix

7. The Great Buck Howard - Colin Hanks and his dad, Tom, played Troy Gable and his father

7. The Great Buck Howard - Colin Hanks and his dad, Tom, played Troy Gable and his fatherMagnolia 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.

8. Hostage - Bruce Willis and his daughter Rumer played Jeff and Amanda TalleyMiramax 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."9. Paper Moon - Tatum O'Neal and her father, Ryan, played Addie Loggins and Moses PrayParamount Pictures / Via youtube.com

10. Ricki and the Flash - Mamie Gummer and her mother, Meryl Streep, played Julie Brummel and Ricki Rendazzo

10. Ricki and the Flash - Mamie Gummer and her mother, Meryl Streep, played Julie Brummel and Ricki RendazzoSony 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."11. A Quiet Place - Spouses Emily Blunt and John Krasinski played Evelyn and Lee AbbottParamount 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.

12. The Heartbreak Kid - Ben Stiller and his dad, Jerry, played Eddie and Doc CantrowParamount Pictures / Via youtube.com

13. Knocked Up - Leslie Mann and her daughters, Iris and Maude Apatow, played Debbie and her children

13. Knocked Up - Leslie Mann and her daughters, Iris and Maude Apatow, played Debbie and her childrenUniversal Pictures / Via youtube.com

14. Donnie Darko - Jake Gyllenhaal and his sister, Maggie, played Donnie and Elizabeth Darko

14. Donnie Darko - Jake Gyllenhaal and his sister, Maggie, played Donnie and Elizabeth DarkoPandora Cinema / Via youtube.com

15. The Pursuit of Happyness - Jaden Smith and his father, Will, played Christopher Gardner Jr. and Chris Gardner

15. The Pursuit of Happyness - Jaden Smith and his father, Will, played Christopher Gardner Jr. and Chris GardnerSony Pictures Releasing / Via youtube.com

16. Hannah Montana - Miley Cyrus and her dad, Billy Ray, played Miley and Robby Ray Stewart

16. Hannah Montana - Miley Cyrus and her dad, Billy Ray, played Miley and Robby Ray StewartDisney / 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?

More articles you might like