Percentage of movie stars who are kids of movie stars Best answer on the web

  • It appears to me that a very large percentage of cinema stars these days are sons and daughters of cinema stars. Withness Charlie Sheen, Beau Bridges, Bridget Fonda. This implies either a) acting talent is genetic or b) a bad case of nepotism. (Given the general decline in acting ability, I believe the answer is "b")
    Can you tell me approximately what percentage of movie stars are relatives of people in the movie business. I'd like to include people like Angelica Huston (a fine actress, btw), who is the daughter of director John Huston. By "stars" I mean people whose names the public is generally familiar with.
    If you have an idea of what percentage of lesser stars got their jobs by sleeping with stars, that would be interesting, but not required.
    Thanks!


  • Every trait is the result of the interaction between genetics and environment. Having said this howvere, I doubt genetics has much to do with actors children becoming actors. It probably has a lot more to do with knowing the right steps to that career, from having seen it all your life. e.g. how do you get a screen test, how do you go about finding an agent, who is a good agent, how do you network, etc. Most of us wouldn't have the foggiest idea where to begin, but if you've been surrounded by it all your life you can just fall into it. It's like getting a franchise for free.


  • Off the top of my head:

    Angelina Jolie is the daughter of John Voight

    Jeniffer Aniston's dad plays Victor on 'Young and the Restless'

    Then there are the Sheens (and Emilio Estevez), the Arquettes, the Barrymores, Fondas, Baldwins...
    Kate Hudson's mother is Goldie Hawn

    Gwyneth Paltrow's parents are involved in theatre (I think?)

    Jamie Lee Curtis' dad is Tony Curtis

    Lisa Marie Presley is obviously Elvis' daughter

    Nicolas Cage is Francis Ford Coppola's nephew, and therefore Sophia Coppola's cousin
    Melanie Griffith's mum is Tippi Hedren (of Hitchcock movie fame)

    I think either Elizabeth or Jade Jagger is taking on some minor movie roles?
    George Clooney is Rosemary Clooney's nephew

    Tori Spelling's 'big break' was her dad's TV show 'Beverly Hills 90210'


  • funny that you only see a - "genetic", and b - "nepotism" (and not constant exposure to the art). I wonder if this is due to the excess and ego of some hollywood-type. Your questions about sleeping with stars comes closer to your nepotism point. It's nice when you know someone. Especially if you have instant name recognition. But talent my friend is never associated with anything but genetics and upbringing - nature/nurtre. You wouldn't find it odd if the son of a successfull railroad man became a railroad man, or if the daughter of a clothing manufacturer stayed in a similar line of work.
    too bad these hollywood types are turning us all into egotistical envious snobs. we love to put them down, don't we. Especially if they lack a lot of talent.
    America loves a good failure.


    Plenty of great actors make it with no family help.


  • Gwyneth Paltrow, Drew Barrymore, Carrie Fisher, Jennifer Gray, Carrie Hamilton (may she rest in peace), Jamie Lee Curtis, etc. You may also want to include stars like John Ritter, son of the legendary western singer Tex Ritter. I'm just thinking out loud (and guessing) but my guess would be 20-30%.









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    Posted inhznj.com July 30th, 2010 edit