15 Actors You Probably Didn’t Know Are Related
Families run deep in the entertainment world, and those connections often explain how talent seems to cluster in the same household. Some relationships are easy to spot because the names match, while others are hidden behind stage names or different last names that make the link less obvious.
This list brings together family ties that bridge generations and genres. You will see siblings who took different paths, children who followed parents onto sets, and relatives who landed in the same industry from opposite sides of the family tree. Each entry gives you the relationship and a quick look at the work that put these actors on the map.
Samara Weaving and Hugo Weaving
Samara Weaving is the niece of Hugo Weaving through her father Simon Weaving. She moved between Australia and the United Kingdom while growing up and started acting on Australian television before leading films like ‘Ready or Not’ and appearing in series such as ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’.
Hugo Weaving is known for major franchise roles that include Agent Smith in ‘The Matrix’ and Elrond in ‘The Lord of the Rings’. He also built an extensive stage résumé in Australia, which paralleled Samara Weaving’s early training and work there.
Beanie Feldstein and Jonah Hill
Beanie Feldstein and Jonah Hill are siblings who were raised in Los Angeles. Beanie Feldstein broke out with roles in ‘Booksmart’ and ‘Lady Bird’, and she also performed on Broadway in the musical ‘Funny Girl’.
Jonah Hill began with comedy hits like ‘Superbad’ and then took on dramatic work in films such as ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. His career includes writing and directing credits, while Beanie Feldstein has balanced film, television, and stage.
Oona Chaplin and Charlie Chaplin
Oona Chaplin is the granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin through Charlie Chaplin and Oona ONeill. She has appeared in television and film, including roles in ‘Game of Thrones’ and the historical drama ‘Taboo’.
Charlie Chaplin was a pioneer of screen comedy with classics like ‘City Lights’ and ‘Modern Times’. The family connection continues a line that also links Oona Chaplin to playwright Eugene ONeill through her grandmother.
Bonnie Bedelia and Macaulay Culkin
Bonnie Bedelia is the paternal aunt of Macaulay Culkin. She is known for films like ‘Die Hard’ and for television work that includes the series ‘Parenthood’.
Macaulay Culkin became widely recognized as a child actor in ‘Home Alone’ and followed with roles in ‘My Girl’ and later television work such as ‘American Horror Story’. The family link comes through Bonnie Bedelia’s brother Kit Culkin, who is Macaulay Culkin’s father.
Nicolas Cage and Jason Schwartzman
Nicolas Cage and Jason Schwartzman are first cousins in the Coppola family. Nicolas Cage was born Nicolas Coppola and adopted a stage name early in his career before starring in films like ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ and ‘National Treasure’.
Jason Schwartzman is the son of actress Talia Shire, who is the sister of Francis Ford Coppola. He debuted in ‘Rushmore’ and went on to lead projects like ‘Bored to Death’ and appear in ensemble films such as ‘The Darjeeling Limited’.
Alia Shawkat and Paul Burke
Alia Shawkat is the granddaughter of actor Paul Burke on her mother’s side. She gained recognition on television with ‘Arrested Development’ and later headlined the series ‘Search Party’.
Paul Burke starred in the police drama ‘Naked City’ and the World War II series ‘Twelve OClock High’. He also appeared in films including ‘Valley of the Dolls’, and his career spanned decades of television and cinema.
Taissa Farmiga and Vera Farmiga
Taissa Farmiga and Vera Farmiga are sisters who were raised in New Jersey. Taissa Farmiga appeared in multiple seasons of ‘American Horror Story’ and led the gothic horror film ‘The Nun’.
Vera Farmiga earned acclaim for roles in ‘Up in the Air’ and for portraying Lorraine Warren in ‘The Conjuring’ series. She also starred in the series ‘Bates Motel’, while Taissa Farmiga continued to build a portfolio of genre and independent projects.
Kate Mara and Rooney Mara
Kate Mara and Rooney Mara are sisters whose family has long ties to American football through the Rooney and Mara families. Kate Mara’s work includes the series ‘House of Cards’ and films like ‘Megan Leavey’.
Rooney Mara earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ and starred in ‘Carol’. Both actors have balanced larger studio projects with independent films that draw on different parts of their range.
Liev Schreiber and Pablo Schreiber
Liev Schreiber and Pablo Schreiber are half brothers who share the same father. Liev Schreiber led the long running series ‘Ray Donovan’ and appeared in ensemble films including ‘Spotlight’.
Pablo Schreiber gained attention in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and later took the lead role in the science fiction series ‘Halo’. Both actors have extensive stage backgrounds that complement their film and television work.
Chris Pine and Robert Pine
Chris Pine is the son of actor Robert Pine. Chris Pine headlined the rebooted ‘Star Trek’ films and appeared in the superhero franchise with ‘Wonder Woman’.
Robert Pine is known for the television series ‘CHiPs’ and continued to work steadily across guest roles in numerous shows. The father and son careers overlap in genre work and in recurring appearances on network and streaming projects.
Domhnall Gleeson and Brendan Gleeson
Domhnall Gleeson is the son of Brendan Gleeson. Domhnall Gleeson starred in ‘Ex Machina’ and appeared in the space opera franchise with ‘Star Wars’.
Brendan Gleeson built a résumé that includes ‘In Bruges’ and later reunited with collaborators in ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’. The pair have appeared in the same series of films set at Hogwarts, with Brendan Gleeson as Alastor Moody and Domhnall Gleeson as Bill Weasley.
Ralph Fiennes and Joseph Fiennes
Ralph Fiennes and Joseph Fiennes are brothers from a family with multiple artists. Ralph Fiennes received recognition for work in ‘The English Patient’ and portrayed Voldemort in the ‘Harry Potter’ films.
Joseph Fiennes starred in ‘Shakespeare in Love’ and led the series ‘The Handmaids Tale’. Their careers have crossed periods and genres from historical drama to contemporary television.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Janet Leigh
Jamie Lee Curtis is the daughter of Janet Leigh. Jamie Lee Curtis became closely associated with the ‘Halloween’ series and built a film career that includes ‘True Lies’ and ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.
Janet Leigh starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ and appeared in films such as ‘Touch of Evil’. Tony Curtis was Jamie Lee Curtis’s father, and both parents had extensive film careers that shaped her early exposure to sets.
Toby Stephens and Maggie Smith
Toby Stephens is the son of Dame Maggie Smith and Sir Robert Stephens. He played a Bond villain in ‘Die Another Day’ and headlined the adventure series ‘Black Sails’.
Maggie Smith has two Academy Awards and is known to a new generation for ‘Downton Abbey’ and for Professor McGonagall in the ‘Harry Potter’ films. The family connection places Toby Stephens in one of the best known acting dynasties in British theater and screen.
Bryce Dallas Howard and Ron Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard is the daughter of Ron Howard. She starred in the dinosaur franchise with ‘Jurassic World’ and directed episodes of ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Book of Boba Fett’.
Ron Howard began as a child actor and moved into directing with films like ‘Apollo 13’ and ‘A Beautiful Mind’. He also acted in the sitcom ‘Happy Days’, while Bryce Dallas Howard continued to move between acting and directing.
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