80s stars who you probably didn't know had Hollywood A-list parents


These '80s actors owe a portion of their star talents to their very successful parents who found fame of their own decades prior to parenthood


Drew Barrymore pictured in 1988.© Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Daisy Finch
Daisy FinchAudience Writer
32 minutes ago
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The '80s might have welcomed some cinema classics to the screen, but plenty of stars from the decade can trace their talents back to their parents' Golden Age stardom. These famous '80s stars have made an impact on cinema history, but do you know who their famous parents are? Read on to find out who welcomed a future '80s star...

Split image showing Tatum O'Neal on the left and Tatum as a baby with her parents, Ryan O'Neal and Joanna Moore.© Getty Images,Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Tatum is the daughter of 'Love Story's Ryan O'Neal

Tatum O'Neal

Tatum O'Neal starred in '70s hits like Paper Moon, The Bad News Bears and International Velvet, before one of her standout career projects, 1980's Little Darlings

Before she was a successful actress, Tatum was a child like any other, who just happened to be the daughter of Love Story star Ryan O'Neal and '60s film star Joanna Moore. 

Split image showing Sean Astin in the '80s on the left, and his parents Patty Duke and John Astin on the right.© Getty Images,Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Sean Astin's star credits are rivalled only by his parents

Sean Astin

Sean Astin is now best-known for his role in The Lord of the Rings as Samwise Gamgee, but in the '80s he found fame as Mikey in kids adventure classic The Goonies. 

The actor was raised by similarly talented parents. His mother Patty Duke starred in The Patty Duke Show and Valley of the Dolls, while his adoptive father John Astin portrayed Gomez Addams on popular '60s sitcom The Addams Family.  

Split image showing Miguel Ferrer in 1990 and his parents, Rosemary Clooney and Jose Ferrer, in 1954.© Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images,Getty Images

Miguel Ferrer shares a talent for the screen with his famous parents

Miguel Ferrer

Before he was a regular on NCIS: Los Angeles or starring on Twin PeaksMiguel Ferrer found fame in the '80s in sci-fi action hit RoboCop as Bob Morton, project leader of the RoboCop programme. 

His parents had some substantial star power in their time, too, as mother Rosemary Clooney – providing an additional star tie to George Clooney – starred in the likes of White Christmas and father José Ferrer found fame as Cyrano de Bergerac in the play's 1950 film adaptation.

Split image showing Sam Robards in the '80s on the left and his parents, 
Lauren Bacall and Jason Robards, on the right. © CBS via Getty Images,Bettmann via Getty Images

Sam Robards was born to a Golden Age star and rugged outlaw of the big screen

Sam Robards

Sam Robards starred in 1985 comedy drama Fandango as Kenneth Waggener, one of five college students who have a last adventure before facing the 'real world', all under the shadow of the Vietnam War.

His parents set him up well for success, as mother Lauren Bacall had already found fame with hits like To Have and Have Not and The Big Sleep, while father Jason Robards was established as a rugged leading man in features like Once Upon a Time in the West.

Split image showing Drew Barrymore in 1989 and her parents, John and Jaid, in 1973.© Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images,Getty Images

Drew Barrymore was an '80s star and her parents' fame predates her own

Drew Barrymore

From The Wedding Singer to Never Been Kissed and 50 First Dates, Drew Barrymore is a regular billing in the world of rom-coms. She's since found fame as a talk show host, but way before that she starred as Gertie in 1982 classic E.T.

Her mother Jaid Barrymore had a run of feature credits in the '80s and '90s, including Doppelganger and Guncrazy, while her father John Drew Barrymore was a star of the '50s in High Lonesome and The Big Night.

Split image, showing Emilio Estevez on the left in 1980, and his parents Martin Sheen and Janet Sheen on the right in 2006.© Corbis via Getty Images,Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Emilio Estevez is the son of famous actor Martin Sheen and producer wife Janet

Emilio Estevez

No rundown of '80s stars is complete without one of the Brat Pack making an appearance, and Emilio Estevez sits at the top of the pack when it comes to famous parents.

His father Martin Sheen starred in Apocalypse Now, The West Wing and comedy series Grace and Frankie, while Emilio's mother Janet has had a couple of acting roles and joined her husband and son on the set of The Way as an executive producer. 

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