Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Stars who brought their parents to the Oscars, from Leonardo DiCaprio to Reese Witherspoon

By Zach Harper

oscars parents
Share this:
bradley cooper and mom

Behind every successful Hollywood star... is a parent or parents. Without the help of supportive moms and dads, dads and dads or moms and moms, it's highly likely many of today's A-listers would be unknowns.

MORE: The 10 best and worst moments from the 2022 Oscars

Think about how often your own parents drove you to things like piano lessons, soccer or hockey, Brownies, Scouts or Girl Guides and many other extracurricular activities or passions. The stars were just the same, and many had parents who made huge sacrifices to help support their dreams.

MORE: Will Smith apologizes to the Academy in tearful speech after slapping Chris Rock

So it makes total sense that celebrities have a habit of bringing their parents with them to the Oscars. It's Hollywood's biggest night, after all! Many have watched their kids win Academy Awards – or not – but they've all been incredibly proud as they walked the red carpet and sat in the audience.

Scroll through the gallery to see stars from Hollywood today and yesteryear who've proudly walked the red carpet with their proud parents with them.

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper might have missed out on some big awards, but his night was still a special one as he brought his mother, Gloria, along with him to the 2022 Academy Awards. Bradley was up for Best Picture for his role in Nightmare Alley. He also served as producer on the film, but the award went to CODA.

jude hill oscars

Jude Hill

At just 11 years old, it's perhaps unsurprising that Belfast actor Jude Hill brought along his mother Shauneen to his very first Oscars – but it doesn't make it any less cute. The Irish actor was enjoying the success of the film Belfast, from Kenneth Branagh, which took home the gong for Best Original Screenplay.

MORE: Jaden Smith defends dad Will after shocking altercation

sam williams judi dench

Judi Dench

They make many appearances together on Tik Tok, but we have a feeling Judi Dench's grandson Sam Williams had a pinch-me moment as he accompanied the Belfast actress on the red carpet. 

Keep clicking for more photos..!

janelle oscars

Janelle Monáe

In 2020, singer Janelle Monae wowed audiences with her show-stopping performance. But before taking to the stage, the Pynk singer took to the red carpet with her mother Janet, and we loved their sparkly outfits!

MORE: The winner of 'the best Oscars dress of all time' has been revealed

joaquin oscars

Joaquin Phoenix

The same year, Joaquin had plenty to celebrate as he picked up the Oscar for Best Actor thanks to his role in Joker. Along with his wife and fellow actress, Rooney Mara, the star brought along his mother, Arlyn, to the event. How sweet!

MORE: All the times the royals attended the glamorous Oscars

florence pugh oscars

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh was nominated for her first Academy Award in 2020, so it's no wonder the then-24-year-old wanting to bring her mother, Deborah, along for the fun!

gallery_3_5

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio brought his mom, Irmelin Indenbirken, with him in 2014. He was nominated for The Wolf of Wall Street that year.

Photo: © Hubert Boesl/picture alliance via Getty Images

gallery_1_1

Denzel Washington had his wife, Pauletta (left), and mother, Lennis (right), with him in 1990. He won Best Supporting Actor for Glory that year.

Photo: © Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

MORE: 8 tips for a successful Oscars party at home

gallery_3_5
Lady Gaga brought her dad, Joseph Germanotta, with her to the 2015 show.

Photo: © Jeff Vespa/WireImage

gallery_3_5
Margot Robbie's mom, Sarie Kessler, attended with her in 2018, the year Margot was nominated for I, Tonya.

Photo: © Steve Granitz/WireImage

gallery_3_5
Timothee Chalamet and his mom, Nicole Flender, looked SO COOL at the 2018 Oscars!

Photo: © Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

gallery_5_3

Keanu Reeves had a very special guest to the 2020 Oscars – his mom! The star walked the red carpet with Patricia Taylor on his arm and they both looked so happy to be there.

Photo: © Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

gallery_3_5
Dev Patel brought his mom, Anita Patel, with him in 2017, when he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Lion.

Photo: © VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images

gallery_3_5
Lin-Manuel Miranda was so cute with his mom, Luz Townes-Miranda, in 2017.

Photo: © ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

gallery_3_5
Michael B. Jordan held his mom Donna Jordan's hand at the Governors Ball after-party in 2019. Black Panther was nominated for Best Picture that year.

Photo: © ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

gallery_3_5
Matthew McConaughey brought both his wife, Camila Alves and his mom, Mary Kathleen McCabe, with him in 2014. He won that year, picking up Best Actor for Dallas Buyers Club.

Photo: © Steve Granitz/WireImage

gallery_3_5
Bradley Cooper brought his mom, Gloria, with him when he was nominated for Silver Linings Playbook in 2013.

Photo: © Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

gallery_3_5
Bradley's co-star, Jennifer Lawrence, also brought her mom and dad, Karen and Gary, with her that year! They got to share in her big Best Actress win for the film.

Photo: © Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

gallery_3_5
Rachel McAdams brought her mom, Sandra, with her in 2016.

Photo: © Steve Granitz/WireImage

gallery_3_5
Common had his mom, Dr. Mahalia Ann Hines, with him in 2015.

Photo: © Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

gallery_3_5
Tom Cruise held his mother Mary Lee South's hand when they arrived at the 1990 Oscars. He was up for Best Actor for Born on the Fourth of July.

Photo: © Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

gallery_3_5
Ryan Gosling's sister, Mandi, and mother, Donna, were with him in 2007, the year he was nominated for Best Actor for Half Nelson.

Photo: © PA Images via Getty Images

gallery_3_5
Robin Williams had his then-wife, Marsha, and mom, Laurie, with him when he won for Best Supporting Actor for Good Will Hunting in 1998.

Photo: © Mazur/WireImage

gallery_3_5
So cute! Drew Barrymore's mother, Jaid, was no stranger to Oscars night, coming from an Old Hollywood family! Drew was just eight years old when she hit this red carpet after playing Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial the year before.

Photo: © Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

gallery_5_3
The late Bruce Paltrow looked so cute on Gwyneth Paltrow's arm in 1998, and he was so proud of her when she won Best Actress for Shakespeare in Love that year!

Photos: © LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images and Peter Jordan - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

gallery_5_3
In 2009, Anne Hathaway brought her parents, Kate McCauley and Gerard Hathaway, with her to the show.

Photo: © Jeff Vespa/WireImage

gallery_5_3
Clint Eastwood brought his mom, Ruth Wood, twice! She first attended the Oscars with him in 1993, when he was nominated for Best Actor, Best Director and Best Picture for Unforgiven. He won the latter two awards! In 2004, he was also up for Best Picture and Best Director for Mystic River.

Photo: © Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images and Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc

gallery_5_3
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon both brought their moms, Chris Boldt and Nancy Carlsson-Paige, to the Oscars in 1998. They won Best Original Screenplay that year for Good Will Hunting.

Photo: © Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

gallery_5_3
Charlize Theron has brought her mom to the Oscars at least four times! Gerda Maritz was thrilled when her daughter won Best Actress for Monster in 2003, and she's joined Charlize since in 2010, 2013 and 2014. There's a good chance Gerda will be with her this year, since Charlize is nominated again! It's really no wonder Charlize is such a great mom herself, considering her own mother is a pillar of support!

Photos: © J. Vespa/WireImage, Kevin Mazur/WireImage and Ethan Miller/WireImage

gallery_5_3
Reese Witherspoon's mom Betty was so proud of her daughter when Reese won Best Actress for Walk the Line in 2006.

Photo: © Kevin Winter/Getty Images

More Celebrity News

See more