The '80s gave us sitcom stars, famous film actors and celebrity singers. But 40 years on, it's their children who are dominating the Hollywood A-list, with plenty of these second generation performers working their way up to red carpet royalty. Read on to find out which children of your favourite '80s stars are now certified A-listers...
© Getty Images,AFP via Getty ImagesLisa's lookalike daughter Zoë has found fame as a movie star
Lisa Bonet & Zoë Kravitz
Lisa Bonet landed the role of Denise on The Cosby Show in 1984 when she was just 16 years old. Following her casting, she starred on other '80s hits like Angel Heart and A Different World.
She welcomed daughter Zoë in 1988 with then-husband Lenny Kravitz. Zoë has found her own star success with roles in The Batman (2022), Caught Stealing (2025) and Big Little Lies.
© Getty Images,FilmMagic via Getty ImagesLea and Zoey have both found fame on the big screen
Lea Thompson & Zoey Deutch
Lea Thompson's own '80s celebrity owes a lot to the iconic Back to the Future franchise, as well as hit features like Some Kind of Wonderful and All the Right Moves.
Her daughter Zoey Deutch has followed in her Hollywood footsteps with star roles in Set It Up, Before I Fall and Why Him?.
© Redferns via Getty Images,Getty ImagesEve Hewson is making her name on the big screen
Bono & Eve Hewson
Music legend Bono's catalogue of tracks defined the sound of the '80s. Plenty of U2 songs are still iconic to this day, including singles like 'With or Without You', 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' and 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For'.
His daughter Eve Hewson has been on a run of star roles. She's recently appeared in thriller series Behind Her Eyes, The Perfect Couple and Disclosure Day.
© Getty Images,Getty Images for TIMEMelanie Griffith and Dakota Johnson have both been cast as leading ladies
Melanie Griffith & Dakota Johnson
Melanie Griffith was an iconic presence on screen in the '80s as star of Working Girl, Body Double and Roar. In 1989, she welcomed daughter Dakota with her then-husband Don Johnson.
Dakota has certainly carried on the legacy of her mother's star status, being cast in leading roles in the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise, Madame Web, Materialists and upcoming book adaptation Verity.
© Getty Images,Variety via Getty ImagesKurt Russell's son Wyatt is a Hollywood star
Kurt Russell & Wyatt Russell
Kurt Russell's rugged good looks won him a devoted fanbase, as did major roles in '80s projects like The Thing, Escape from New York and Overboard.
His son Wyatt, shared with actress Goldie Hawn, has followed in his footsteps. He recently starred in 2026's Disclosure Day, 2025's Thunderbolts* and 2024's Night Swim.
© Getty ImagesNoughties rom-com queen Kate Hudson is the daughter of Goldie Hawn
Goldie Hawn & Kate Hudson
Goldie Hawn found fame with her comedy skills in Private Benjamin and beloved feature Overboard. But the star actress hasn't just raised an A-list star in son Wyatt, her daughter Kate is a rom-com icon.
Kate Hudson has starred in several '00s rom-com classics, from Bride Wars to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. She recently co-starred in Song Sung Blue, showcasing her musical talent on screen, in addition to her 2024 debut album.
© Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images,AFP via Getty ImagesMaya Hawke has inherited her parents' acting talents
Ethan Hawke & Maya Hawke
Before he was stealing hearts in Before Sunrise or scaring us silly in The Black Phone, Ethan Hawke appeared in heartbreaking drama Dead Poets Society, one of the '80s most enduring hits.
His daughter Maya, who he shares with Uma Thurman, inherited a talent for performance, starring in Stranger Things, Do Revenge and recent rom-com One Night Only.
