16 Legendary Celebrities Who Have Equally as Famous Grandkids

Mar. 15, 2025

Billie Lourd and Debbie Reynolds attend the 21st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in L.A. on Jan. 25, 2015; Priscilla Presley and Riley Keough attend the Humane Society of the United States' To the Rescue! gala in Hollywood on May 7, 2016.Photo:Kevin Mazur/WireImage; Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Kevin Mazur/WireImage; Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

These stars have kept fame in the family for generations!

While some celebsdeny the role of their famous family ties, othersrecognize the privilegethat comes with having connections in their industry. Regardless, the spotlight has historically been passed through generations of relatives, and many nepo babies have extended their grandparents' legacies.

Below, take a look at these notable figures and their grandchildren who’ve followed in their famous footsteps.

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Priscilla Presley & Riley Keough

Priscilla Presley attends the L.A. screening of ‘Agent Elvis’ on March 7, 2023; Riley Keough attends the Chanel Cruise 2024 collection fashion show in L.A. on May 9, 2023.Anna Webber/Variety via Getty; Monica Schipper/Getty

Anna Webber/Variety via Getty; Monica Schipper/Getty

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Dolores Costello & Drew Berrymore

Dolores Costello poses for a portrait, circa 1936; Drew Barrymore attends the 2023 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor presentation in Washington, D.C.John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty; Taylor Hill/WireImage

John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty; Taylor Hill/WireImage

Drew Barrymorecomes from a long lineage of Hollywood stars, and her grandmother,Dolores Costello, was the “Goddess of the Silent Screen” — who had notable roles in films likeThe Sea Beast(1926),Noah’s Ark(1928),Little Lord Fauntleroy(1936) andThe Magnificent Ambersons(1942) before retiring in 1943.

“Ever since I could remember … somewhere around 3 years old, I felt this extraordinary responsibility, when I would watch my family’s movies,to keep their name alive,” Barrymore told PEOPLE in April 2024. “It helps me make sense of why I feel so magnetized to work in the field of film and television. I’ve got it in my jeans and my blood, and I’ve been lucky enough that this business would allow me to keep going.”

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John F. Kennedy & Jack Schlossberg

John F. Kennedy photographed in the ‘Daily News’ on July 1, 1961; Jack Schlossberg on the ‘Today’ show on May 5, 2017.NY Daily News Archive/Getty ; Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

NY Daily News Archive/Getty ; Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

John F. Kennedyserved in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate before becoming the youngest man ever to be elected as U.S. president. Though his term was cut short afterhis 1963 assassination, Kennedy’s political legacy lives on through his only grandson,Jack Schlossberg.

04of 16Jack Nicholson & Duke NicholsonJack Nicholson attends the L.A. premiere of ‘How Do You Know’ on Dec. 13, 2010; Duke Norfleet attends the 2021 ‘GQ’ Men of the Year Celebration in L.A.Lester Cohen/WireImage; Rodin Eckenroth/Getty ImagesHeeeeere’sDuke! The legendaryShiningstar’s grandson (born Duke Norfleet to Jack’s oldest daughter,Jennifer Nicholson) followed his grandfather into the horror genrewith his debut role in Jordan Peele’sUs.

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Jack Nicholson & Duke Nicholson

Jack Nicholson attends the L.A. premiere of ‘How Do You Know’ on Dec. 13, 2010; Duke Norfleet attends the 2021 ‘GQ’ Men of the Year Celebration in L.A.Lester Cohen/WireImage; Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Heeeeere’sDuke! The legendaryShiningstar’s grandson (born Duke Norfleet to Jack’s oldest daughter,Jennifer Nicholson) followed his grandfather into the horror genrewith his debut role in Jordan Peele’sUs.

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Gregory Peck & Ethan Peck

Gregory Peck poses for a portrait in the 1950s; Ethan Peck attends the 2019 U.S. Vets Salute Gala in Beverly Hills.Archive Photos/Getty Images; Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

The popular American actor, who starred in classic films such asRoman Holiday(1953) andHow the West Was Won(1962), and had an Oscar-winning turn inTo Kill a Mockingbird(1962), passed on his acting chops to grandsonEthan, who appeared in theGeorge Clooney-starring film,The Midnight Sky(2020),as a younger version of Clooney’s character.

“I think I had a full panic attack,” Ethan told CBS’Watch!magazine in 2019 of landing the role of a younger version of Clooney’s character, Augustine Lofthouse. “I had to sit down on the curb, and I was in tears.”

06of 16Kirk Douglas & Cameron DouglasKirk Douglas smiles for a portrait, circa 1963; Cameron Douglas is seen in L.A. on Nov. 9, 2017.Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images; GP/Star Max/GC ImagesBorn Issur Danielovitch,Kirk Douglaswas a superstar actor, producer, director and philanthropist. He passed on his acting legacy to sonMichael Douglas— who’s married to actressCatherine Zeta-Jones— and grandsonCameron(Michael’s son with his ex-wife, Diandra Luker).In 2003, the three generations of Douglas men got to act alongside each other in the comedy-dramaIt Runs in the Family.

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Kirk Douglas & Cameron Douglas

Kirk Douglas smiles for a portrait, circa 1963; Cameron Douglas is seen in L.A. on Nov. 9, 2017.Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images; GP/Star Max/GC Images

Born Issur Danielovitch,Kirk Douglaswas a superstar actor, producer, director and philanthropist. He passed on his acting legacy to sonMichael Douglas— who’s married to actressCatherine Zeta-Jones— and grandsonCameron(Michael’s son with his ex-wife, Diandra Luker).

In 2003, the three generations of Douglas men got to act alongside each other in the comedy-dramaIt Runs in the Family.

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Debbie Reynolds & Billie Lourd

Debbie Reynolds wears an orange neck scarf for a portrait, circa 1955; Billie Lourd arrives at the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, Calif.Archive Photos/Getty Images; Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty Images

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Tippi Hedren & Dakota Johnson

Tippi Hedren models a dress in a grayscale portrait, circa 1954; Dakota Johnson poses in the press room during the 23rd annual Hollywood Film Awards in Beverly Hills on Nov. 3, 2019.Genevieve Naylor/Corbis via Getty Images; Amy Sussman/Getty Images

In 1957, Hedren welcomed daughterMelanie Griffith(also an actress) with then-husbandPeter Griffithand eventually became grandmother to actressDakota Johnson. Johnson became a household name after starring in theFifty Shades of Greyfilms andis currently engaged to Coldplay frontmanChris Martin.

09of 16Roxie Roker & Zoë KravitzRokie Roker poses for a portrait, circa 1976; Zoë Kravitz attends the 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in L.A. on Jan. 19, 2020.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/Getty ImagesRoxie Rokercame to fame as Helen Willis on the classic CBS sitcomThe Jeffersons. She is also mom to musicianLenny Kravitz, who had daughterZoë Kravitzwith actressLisa Bonetin 1988.Zoë shares her family’s talent for music and acting; she has been seen in films likeDope(2015) andKimi(2022), starred on the award-winning HBO dramaBig Little Liesandplayed CatwomaninMatt Reeves’The Batman(2022) — a role she’s slated to reprise in the 2026 sequel,The Batman Part II.

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Roxie Roker & Zoë Kravitz

Rokie Roker poses for a portrait, circa 1976; Zoë Kravitz attends the 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in L.A. on Jan. 19, 2020.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Roxie Rokercame to fame as Helen Willis on the classic CBS sitcomThe Jeffersons. She is also mom to musicianLenny Kravitz, who had daughterZoë Kravitzwith actressLisa Bonetin 1988.

Zoë shares her family’s talent for music and acting; she has been seen in films likeDope(2015) andKimi(2022), starred on the award-winning HBO dramaBig Little Liesandplayed CatwomaninMatt Reeves’The Batman(2022) — a role she’s slated to reprise in the 2026 sequel,The Batman Part II.

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Samuel Goldwyn & Tony Goldwyn

Archive Photos/Getty Images; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Samuel Goldwyn was born Schmuel Gelbfisz in Poland in 1879 and went on to become one of Hollywood’s most influential pioneers. From creating several studios (yep, that’s him in Metro Goldwyn Mayer) to having a hand in producing dozens of award-winning films throughout his 40-plus-year career, Samuel was a founding member behind the scenes of the movie industry.

11of 16Blythe Danner & Apple MartinBlythe Danner attends the N.Y.C. premiere of ‘The Chaperone’ on March 25, 2019; Apple Martin wears a floral dress during her Sweet 16 party in 2020.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images; Courtesy Gwyneth PaltrowBlythe Danner is an actress (with roles in films like 2000’sMeet the Parents) producer and, oh yeah — mom to Oscar winnerGwyneth Paltrow, who haddaughter Appleandson Moseswith Chris Martin.With Danner as her grandmother and Paltrow and Martin as parents, it stands to reason that Apple might havesome influential aspirations of her own, already making a name for herself in the fashion world.

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Blythe Danner & Apple Martin

Blythe Danner attends the N.Y.C. premiere of ‘The Chaperone’ on March 25, 2019; Apple Martin wears a floral dress during her Sweet 16 party in 2020.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images; Courtesy Gwyneth Paltrow

Blythe Danner is an actress (with roles in films like 2000’sMeet the Parents) producer and, oh yeah — mom to Oscar winnerGwyneth Paltrow, who haddaughter Appleandson Moseswith Chris Martin.

With Danner as her grandmother and Paltrow and Martin as parents, it stands to reason that Apple might havesome influential aspirations of her own, already making a name for herself in the fashion world.

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Paul Burke & Alia Shawkat

Paul Burke in ‘The Thomas Crown Affair,’ 1968; Alia Shawkat attends Liz Goldwyn and Matchesfashion.com celebrate the launch of Frieze LA on Feb. 13, 2019.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; Donato Sardella/Getty Images

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Wellington Mara & Kate and Rooney Mara

Wellington Mara sits in his office at Giants Stadium on June 15, 1978; Kate Mara and Rooney Mara attend Rain Phoenix’s album release party in L.A. on Oct. 28, 2019.Ross Lewis/Getty; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Ross Lewis/Getty; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

The Maras are one of the most influential families inthe NFL; Tim Mara, Wellington Mara’s father, founded the Giants in 1925 and Wellington went on to become the co-owner of the the team until he died in 2005.

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Berry Gordy Jr. & Skyler Austen Gordy

Berry Gordy wearing a suit in a portrait, circa 1970; Skyler Austen Gordy attends the Build Series at AOL HQ in N.Y.C. on Dec. 9, 2016.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; Chance Yeh/FilmMagic

Music executive and pioneer Berry Gordy Jr., who famously founded Motown Records and co-wrote iconic songs like the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” and “ABC,“is grandfather to Skyler Austen Gordy, who was one half of the musical duo LMFAO.

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Anne Gwynne & Chris Pine

Anne Gwynne on set of the film ‘We’ve Never Been Licked’ in 1943; Chris Pine attends the 25th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in L.A. on Jan. 27, 2019.AP/Shutterstock; Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Years later, grandsonChris Pinewould continue the family business, with roles as James T. Kirk in theStar Trekreboot film franchise (2009, 2013, 2016), Steve Trevor — oppositeGal Gadot— inWonder Woman(2017) andWonder Woman 1984(2020) and Edgin inDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves(2023).

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Donald Sutherland & Sarah Sutherland

Donald Sutherland poses for a portrait, circa 1975; Sarah Sutherland visits Build in N.Y.C. on March 28, 2019.Hulton Archive/Getty Images; Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

He was also father to actorKiefer Sutherland(best known for his starring role as Jack Bauer in24) and grandfather to actress Sarah Sutherland, who played Catherine Meyer on HBO’sVeep.

source: people.com