Hollywood stars from the 1970s whose children grew up to be global heartthrobs


How many children of 1970s Hollywood stars who grew up to be heartthrobs do you recognize?


Side-by-side portraits: on the left, Clint Eastwood in a dark pinstriped suit and brown tie; on the right, Scott Eastwood, with short brown hair and a furrowed brow, wearing a blue blazer over a floral shirt against a mint green backdrop.© Getty Images
Tess Hill
Tess HillNews and Features Writer
57 minutes ago

Nepo babies are a constant point of conversation, and while having a famous parent doesn't always guarantee international success, it certainly helps. Many stars from the 1970s had children who grew up to be heartthrobs, sharing good looks and a last name with their kids.

Keep reading to see which 10 stars from the '70s had children who are Hollywood heartthrobs…

Split image: on the left, Scott Eastwood in a dark jacket and open-collared black shirt with a bronze award at the corner; on the right, Clint Eastwood with swept grey hair, light blue shirt and patterned tie.© Getty Images

Scott Eastwood in a black jacket and shirt, left, beside Clint Eastwood in a green jacket and patterned tie

Scott Eastwood (Clint Eastwood's son)

Scott Eastwood hasn't always loved the obvious link to his famous movie star father, Clint Eastwood. At one point, he even dropped his famous last name for the anonymous moniker Scott Reeves. But, at 40, the actor is proud of his connection to the Oscar winner.

"I've had doors open for me," Scott told Access Hollywood, continuing: "But if you walk into an audition room and you can't deliver ... no one's gonna hire you for the job." He's since joined Clint on screen in Flags of Our Fathers, Gran Torino, and Invictus, becoming the most famous of the actor's eight children, and a bonafide heartthrob.

Side-by-side portraits: on the right, Donald Sutherland, a white-haired, white-bearded man in a cream jacket and pale blue open-collared shirt, smiling; on the left, Kiefer Sutherland with a short reddish-grey beard in a black shirt and jacket.© Getty Images

Donald Sutherland, right, smiling in a white jacket and blue shirt, shown beside Kiefer Sutherland.

Kiefer Sutherland (Donald Sutherland's son)

Kiefer Sutherland, 59, is an icon in his own right, counting projects like 24, The Lost Boys, Stand by Me, and Designated Survivor among his portfolio. But his father Donald Sutherland was a famous face long before Kiefer broke into Hollywood. 

Donald starred in '70s hits like M*A*S*H, Kelly's Heroes, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, later finding fame with a new generation in Pride and Prejudice and The Hunger Games.

Charlie Sheen, Emilio Estevez, and Martin Sheen pictured in a three-panel composite of men at press events.© Getty Images

Charlie Sheen, Emilio Estevez, and Martin Sheen pictured in a three-panel composite of men at press events.

Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez (Martin Sheen's son)

Martin Sheen ruled the box office in the '70s with Apocalypse Now and Badlands, going on to star in The West Wing, Grace and Frankie, and The Departed. His son, Charlie Sheen, 61, is just as famous – if not more so.

From a crush-worthy cameo in Ferris Bueller's Day Off as the mysterious teen at the police station, flirting unabashedly with Jennifer Grey, to a star role in Wall Street, Charlie was an '80s icon. And, it wasn't just Charlie who inherited the acting gene. His brother, Emilio, was a part of the famed '80s group the Brat Pack and a heartthrob of the '80s.

Robert Pine, right, smiles in a California Highway Patrol sergeant's uniform beside Chris Pine at a Sundance event.© Getty Images

Robert Pine, right, smiles in a California Highway Patrol sergeant's uniform beside Chris Pine at a Sundance event.

Chris Pine (Robert Pine's son)

Chris Pine, 46, grew up surrounded by actors. His dad, Robert Pine, starred on the '70s sitcom CHiPs and his mom, Gwynne Gilford, starred in a string of TV shows in the '70s and '80s. Chris broke onto the scene as the love interest in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement and has been crushed on ever since.

The Wonder Woman actor has been dating designer Keana Sky Wenger since August 2023 and is reportedly reprising his role as Lord Nicholas Devereaux in The Princess Diaries 3 alongside Anne Hathaway.

Jack Nicholson, right, smiling in tinted glasses and a navy jacket, shown beside Ray Nicholson© Getty Images

Jack Nicholson, right, smiling in tinted glasses and a navy jacket, shown beside Ray Nicholson

Ray Nicholson (Jack Nicholson's son)

The Shining's Jack Nicholson has a talented son, Ray, who is taking on his father's mantle with a successful career in film. 

Ray has recently starred in features like Smile 2, Novocaine, and Borderline, as well as comedies like I Love You Forever and Something from Tiffany's. Ray is also in a long-term relationship with Victoria Secret Angel Sara Sampaio.

A split image of Jason Ritter and John Ritter© Getty Images

A split image of Jason Ritter and John Ritter

Jason Ritter (John Ritter's son)

John Ritter was a staple of '70s TV when he starred on the beloved sitcom Three's Company. But the late actor is known for his dedication to his children. John's oldest son, Jason Ritter, has followed in his footsteps and is a well known actor.

In 2020, Jason tied the knot with fellow actor, Melanie Lynskey, 49. The New Zealand born actress is best known for her work in Yellowjackets. Two years before their wedding, the famous couple welcomed their daughter.

Alexander Skarsgård, Bill Skarsgård, and Stellan Skarsgård pose for press photos© Getty Images

Alexander Skarsgård, Bill Skarsgård, and Stellan Skarsgård pose for press photos

Alexander and Bill Skarsgård (Stellan Skarsgård's sons)

Okay, was Stellan Skarsgård a Hollywood star in the '70s? No. But, he was a Swedish star who has since been nominated for an Oscar! And his sons, Alexander and Bill Skarsgård, are definite Hollywood heartthrobs.

Alexander, 50, dominates the red carpet with his unique fashion choices, often showing off his impressive physique. And Bill, 36, shows off his good looks when he's not starring as Pennywise or Count Orlok.

Josh Brolin, left, in a burgundy jacket at a premiere, beside James Brolin.© Getty Images

Josh Brolin, left, in a burgundy jacket at a premiere, beside James Brolin.

Josh Brolin (James Brolin's son)

Josh Brolin not only has a well-known father, but he has a famous step-mother too. The 58-year-old actor grew up under the wing of his dad James Brolin, who is best known for his work on the medical drama Marcus Welby, M.D. James married Barbra Streisand in 1998 – the two celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary earlier this year.

Josh is famous in his own right. He rose to fame as a teen in The Goonies (1985) and had a major career resurgence in 2007's No Country for Old Men. The actor joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Thanos in 2018 and starred as Gurney Halleck in the Dune series.

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