Meet the nepo babies you never realised have two famous parents


Double the screen power and double the fame, these celebs have two famous parents who have been there and done that before they were born


Gwyneth Paltrow close up headshot.© FilmMagic via Getty Images
Daisy Finch
Daisy FinchAudience Writer
2 minutes ago
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What's better than one famous parent? Two famous parents! It's no surprise when some of Hollywood's biggest stars tie the knot but it does mean there's double the attention on whatever their twice-talented offspring get up to next. Fortunately, these stars have equally or surpassed their parents in fame.

Read on to see the stars gather their nearest and dearest in front of the camera, with (at least) two generations of star power on display.

Leslie Mann, Maude Apatow and Judd Apatow pose for the camera at Chanel and Charles Finch Pre Oscars Dinner in 2026.© Variety via Getty Images

Maude's star power goes back two generations

Maude Apatow

High school drama turned psychological thriller Euphoria made a star of Maude Apatow. But she was already within close proximity to the limelight, going back two generations.

Her mother Leslie Mann is adored for her roles in George of the Jungle, Knocked Up and This is 40, while father Judd Apatow is a well-known comedian, director and screenwriter. Judd's grandfather, Bob Shad, found renown in the music business as a record producer and label owner.

Bessie Carter with Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter© Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I

Bessie Carter has costume drama heritage on both sides of the family

Bessie Carter

Bessie Carter was made for a role in a sumptuous costume drama and fit the bill perfectly as Bridgerton's not-so-nice Featherington sister. 

Her parents paved the way, with Jim Carter a familiar and beloved face behind Downton Abbey and Cranford, while her mother Imelda Staunton starred in Nanny McPhee, The Crown and Vera Drake.

Stephen Gyllenhaal, Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Jeanne Cadieu attend the "Road House" New York Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on March 19, 2024.© Getty Images

Jake Gyllenhaal has some impressive talent behind his star success

Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal and his sister, Maggie, have both found fame, but before they were regulars on screen, their parents were stood firmly in the spotlight.

Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal has found success behind the scenes as a screenwriter and director, while Stephen Gyllenhaal is a talented director as well as a poet.

This 21 March 1999 file photo shows US actress Gwyneth Paltrow (L) posing with her father director Bruce Paltrow (C) and mother actress Blythe Danner (R) upon their arrival at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA for the 71st Annual Academy Awards. Bruce  Paltrow died suddenly in Rome 03 October 2002 while visiting his Oscar-winning daughter in Italy, a spokesman for the US embassy in Rome confirmed. According to reports, Paltrow, 59, died in the city's San Camillo hospital after experiencing breathing problems.© Getty Images

Gwyneth Paltrow is the second in three generations of fame

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow might be known as the parent of 'nepo baby' Apple Martin, who she shares with ex-husband Chris Martin, but the Goop founder is a child of fame herself.

Her star run on screen included hits like Emma and Sliding Doors, preceded by her mother Blythe Danner's success as an actress, winning two Primetime Emmys and a Tony. Her father Bruce Paltrow was similarly talented behind the camera, working as a director and producer.

Melanie Griffith, Dakota Johnson and Don Johnson pose for a photo together in 2016.© Getty Images

Dakota Johnson has three famous parents and a famous grandmother to her name

Dakota Johnson

Dakota Johnson is the daughter of Working Girl and Lolita star Melanie Griffith and Miami Vice actor Don Johnson. She is also the granddaughter of Hitchcock favourite Tippi Hedren who starred in The Birds and Marnie.

The Madame Web actress also has a bonus famous face in the family, thanks to her former stepfather, Antonio Banderas, best known for hits like The Mask of Zorro and Desperado.

Diane Ladd, Bruce Dern, and their daughter Laura Dern attend the Walk of Fame star ceremony for Bruce Dern.© WireImage via Getty Images

Laura Dern has twice as much family talent thanks to her famous parents

Laura Dern

The Jurassic Park actress has double star power, thanks to actor father Bruce Dern, known for Nebraska and The 'Burbs, and mother Diane Ladd, star of Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Laura enjoys a close relationship with both of her talented parents. Reflecting on her 2020 Oscar win for Marriage Story, she melted hearts backstage in the press room by singing their praises: "They literally got me here and artistically got me here as well, so it means the world."

jack quaid and dennis quaid lookalike© Getty Images

Jack is the son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan

Jack Quaid

There are no prizes for guessing who fathered Jack Quaid. Dennis is best known for his star roles in The Parent Trap, The Substance and The Rookie, while son Jack has headed up The Boys, Companion and Novocaine.

But his mother is equally well-known on screen. Rom-com icon Meg Ryan has starred in When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail, to name just a few.

Jennifer Aniston on the red carpet with dad John Aniston as she's awarded with a Hollywood Star.© FilmMagic via Getty Images

Both of Jennifer Aniston's parents worked on screen

Jennifer Aniston

While Jennifer Aniston's father John wasn't keen for his daughter to follow in his footsteps, she's proven an incredible talent for the screen and won the love of millions in the process.

John is best-known for a long-running role in Days of Our Lives, Love of Life and Search for Tomorrow. Meanwhile, Jennifer's mother, Nancy Dow— an actress who appeared in 1960s staples like The Beverly Hillbillies — became best known later in life for her divisive 1999 memoir, From Mother and Daughter to Friends: A Memoir.

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