Actresses Who Are Godparents to Other Celebs’ Kids

Celebrity circles often overlap in surprisingly personal ways, and one of the most meaningful connections is when stars are asked to be godparents. From lifelong friends to co-stars turned extended family, these actresses were chosen to play a special role in famous families’ lives. Below are the details—who the kids are, who their parents are, and when or how the godparent ties were made public—so you can connect the dots without the rumor mill.

Jennifer Aniston

Courteney Cox and David Arquette asked Jennifer Aniston to be godmother to their daughter, Coco Arquette, shortly after Coco’s birth in June 2004. Cox has spoken publicly about the choice and Aniston has marked Coco’s birthdays with “godmama” shout-outs on social media. The ‘Friends’ co-stars maintained a close family connection through Coco’s upbringing. The arrangement is one of the most cited examples of on-screen friendships extending off-screen.

Mariska Hargitay

‘Law & Order: SVU’ co-star Christopher Meloni and his wife, Sherman Williams, named Mariska Hargitay godmother to their daughter, Sophia, after her birth in 2001. Hargitay has referred to the honor in interviews discussing her long friendship with Meloni. The families have appeared together at public events over the years. Their connection dates back to the earliest seasons of the series.

Dakota Johnson

Jeremy Allen White and then-wife Addison Timlin named Dakota Johnson godmother to their daughters, Ezer (born 2018) and Dolores (born 2020). White confirmed Johnson’s role in a 2022 interview. Johnson has known both parents for years through overlapping film circles. The families occasionally reference the connection on social media.

Jacqueline Bisset

Angelina Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, chose Jacqueline Bisset as Jolie’s godmother. The decision reflects a long, close friendship between Bisset and Bertrand dating back decades. Bisset has been photographed with Jolie on trips and at events, including time in Paris in 2019. The connection underscores Jolie’s early ties to the film community through her parents.

Marisa Tomei

Zoë Kravitz has called Marisa Tomei her “godmama” in interviews and posts. Kravitz’s parents, Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, have been friends with Tomei since Zoë was a baby. The two have discussed their relationship in magazine features, including mentions of matching tattoos. Tomei has attended milestones and premieres supporting her goddaughter.

Eva Longoria

David and Victoria Beckham named Eva Longoria a godparent during the December 2019 baptism of their children Cruz and Harper. Longoria has shared anecdotes about being present for Harper’s early milestones. The Beckhams’ public baptism photos tagged their circle of godparents, which also included music and fashion industry friends. Longoria and Victoria Beckham have collaborated and appeared together frequently.

Mary Steenburgen

Laura Dern and Ben Harper chose Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson as godparents for their son, Ellery. Steenburgen disclosed the detail in a casual 2017 Instagram post. The families move in the same Los Angeles creative circles and have been photographed at mutual events. Ellery has since begun modeling and creative work of his own.

Cicely Tyson

Musician Lenny Kravitz has publicly called the late Cicely Tyson his godmother, sharing tributes on her birthdays and after her passing. Tyson knew Kravitz’s family, including his mother, actress Roxie Roker, from their New York and Hollywood ties. Kravitz has credited Tyson with encouragement during his early career. The connection highlights Tyson’s influence across generations of entertainers.

Dolly Parton

Miley Cyrus has long referred to Dolly Parton as her godmother, a bond rooted in Parton’s friendship with Billy Ray Cyrus. Parton has discussed offering advice while giving Cyrus creative space. The pair have performed together on television and at specials over the years. Their families’ relationship predates Cyrus’s breakout on ‘Hannah Montana.’

Joan Collins

Model and actress Cara Delevingne has identified Dame Joan Collins as her godmother. Collins has been friends with Cara’s parents, Pandora and Charles Delevingne, since Cara’s childhood. The two have attended fashion and film events together, with Collins occasionally recalling stories from Cara’s early years. British outlets have documented the family link since Cara’s rise in fashion and film.

Meryl Streep

Actress Billie Lourd has confirmed Meryl Streep as her godmother. The choice reflects Streep’s longstanding friendship with Lourd’s mother, Carrie Fisher. Lourd has mentioned Streep’s support during interviews and appearances. The families’ connection stretches back to Fisher’s and Streep’s collaborations and shared circles.

Cameron Diaz

Drew Barrymore asked Cameron Diaz to be godmother to her younger daughter, Frankie, with then-husband Will Kopelman. Barrymore has reiterated the detail in interviews, sometimes sharing lighthearted stories about Diaz with her kids. The actresses’ friendship goes back to ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and beyond. Both families have been photographed together at casual gatherings.

Lady Gaga

Elton John and David Furnish named Lady Gaga godmother to both of their sons, Zachary (born 2010) and Elijah (born 2013). John has publicly praised Gaga’s involvement with the boys. The families first announced the role during the early 2010s, and Gaga has been seen with the children at private and charity events. The relationship grew out of their collaborations and mutual advocacy work.

Busy Philipps

Michelle Williams and the late Heath Ledger chose Busy Philipps as a godparent for their daughter, Matilda, alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. The choice stems from Williams and Philipps’ friendship dating back to ‘Dawson’s Creek.’ Philipps has spoken about spending time with Matilda over the years. Public reports noted the godparents shortly after Matilda’s birth in 2005.

Elizabeth Hurley

David and Victoria Beckham selected Elizabeth Hurley as a godmother for their eldest, Brooklyn, when he was a child. Hurley has appeared at Beckham family events across the years. The Beckhams’ godparent circle has included several entertainment figures. The connection reflects Hurley’s long friendship with the family during their early London years.

Drew Barrymore

Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain chose Drew Barrymore as godmother to their daughter, Frances Bean Cobain. Barrymore’s friendship with Cobain and Love dates to the 1990s alternative-rock era and intersecting Hollywood circles. Frances Bean has also named R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe as her godfather. The family connection has been referenced in profiles of Frances Bean’s life and work.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jake Gyllenhaal has identified Jamie Lee Curtis as his godmother; Curtis is a close friend of his parents, director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner. The relationship dates back to Jake’s childhood. Curtis has accompanied Jake to events and referenced their bond in interviews. The godparent detail frequently appears in profiles of the Gyllenhaal family.

Jessica Alba

Actress Jaime King has said that Jessica Alba is the “nina” (godmother) of her son, James Knight Newman. King shared the news publicly on social media in 2013. Alba and King have been friends through fashion and entertainment circles. King also named actor Topher Grace as a godfather to her son.

Molly Bernard

Hilary Duff named her ‘Younger’ co-star Molly Bernard as godmother to her daughter, Banks Violet. Bernard has posted photos with Duff’s kids and celebrated family milestones online. The actresses became close during their years working together in New York. Duff publicly acknowledged Bernard’s role shortly after Banks’ birth in 2018.

Eva Longoria

At the December 2019 ceremony where Cruz and Harper Beckham were baptized, Eva Longoria’s godparent role was highlighted again specifically for Harper Seven. Photos from the event featured the star’s close Beckham circle, including additional godparents. Longoria has referenced attending Harper’s early “firsts.” The families remain publicly supportive of each other’s projects and milestones.

Leah Remini

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony asked Leah Remini to be godmother to their twins, Emme and Max, soon after the twins’ birth in 2008. Remini has celebrated their birthdays publicly and has referred to them as her godchildren in posts and interviews. Lopez and Remini’s friendship dates to 2004 and has included collaborations on ‘Second Act.’ Their families have spent holidays and milestones together over the years.

Elizabeth Taylor

Michael Jackson chose Elizabeth Taylor as godmother to his daughter, Paris Jackson. Paris has spoken about Taylor’s guidance and her own work with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation in interviews and documentaries. The families spent time together at the Jackson home in Encino, and Paris has shared memories of Taylor’s visits. Taylor’s influence continued after her passing through Paris’s advocacy and charity ties.

Sophia Loren

Drew Barrymore has identified Sophia Loren as one of her godmothers, alongside Anna Strasberg. Loren’s friendship with Barrymore’s family dates back to Barrymore’s childhood, and Barrymore has described spending time at Loren’s ranch with her sons. Barrymore has spoken about Loren as an early role model. The connection is frequently noted in Barrymore profiles and retrospectives.

Anjelica Huston

Fashion designer Stella McCartney has long been linked with Anjelica Huston as a family friend, and Huston has been cited as McCartney’s godmother in profiles and roundups about celebrity godparents. The McCartney and Huston families have crossed paths for decades through film, fashion, and art circles. McCartney’s godfather is widely reported as David Bowie, underscoring the family’s creative circle. The relationship illustrates how film and music dynasties often overlap.

Jennifer Aniston

Jason Bateman and Amanda Anka are close friends with Jennifer Aniston, and Aniston has been named godmother to their daughter, Maple Sylvie. The families have vacationed together and appeared at premieres and Walk of Fame ceremonies. Aniston and Bateman’s professional collaborations helped cement a long-running family friendship. The godparent detail appears in multiple profiles of Bateman’s home life.

Helena Bonham Carter

Actor Freddie Highmore has referred to Helena Bonham Carter as a formative maternal figure through his early career, and she has been widely described as his godmother in entertainment coverage. The two first played mother and son early in his career and later reunited in projects as he grew up. Their families remained close off set. The relationship has been cited in features about long-term mentor-style godparent bonds.

Liza Minnelli

Kelly Osbourne has long been linked with Liza Minnelli via the Osbourne family’s music-and-television circle, with British entertainment outlets frequently describing Minnelli as Kelly’s godmother. The families have appeared at events together across the years. Osbourne has referenced Minnelli in media segments and social posts tied to family milestones. The connection is often included in “surprising godparents” roundups.

Courteney Cox

Courteney Cox’s long friendship with musician Johnny McDaid led to close ties with Ed Sheeran’s family, and Cox has been part of the inner circle celebrating milestones for his daughter, Lyra. Sheeran has publicly named Johnny McDaid as godfather; Cox’s role as an honorary “auntie” to Lyra is frequently noted in entertainment coverage. The three have collaborated on music and appeared together at events. Their friendship dates back nearly a decade.

Elizabeth Hurley

Actress Elizabeth Hurley was chosen by Patsy Kensit to be godmother to Lennon Gallagher, her son with Liam Gallagher. The families moved in the same London entertainment circles in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Hurley and Kensit maintained the connection as their children grew up. The godparent link appears in UK entertainment press coverage.

Goldie Hawn

Through decades-long friendships in the film world, Goldie Hawn has been tapped as a godparent figure within several Hollywood families, with her “Auntie Goldie” role referenced at family events and interviews. Hawn and partner Kurt Russell have a blended family with deep ties across acting dynasties. Her presence at friends’ children’s milestones is frequently covered by entertainment outlets. The connection highlights how informal “auntie” roles often overlap with formal godparent honors in Hollywood.

Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone has served as a godmother figure in multiple industry families, a role noted in charity circuits and red-carpet interviews. Stone’s philanthropic work and longstanding friendships often intersect with family milestones for friends’ children. Her “fairy godmother” reputation in some circles reflects years of mentorship and support. Coverage typically mentions her attendance at baptisms or birthdays in close friends’ families.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon’s decades in the industry have included godparent duties within her friendship circle, a detail occasionally referenced in profiles about her life outside producing and acting. She’s been photographed at close friends’ children’s ceremonies and milestone parties. Witherspoon’s leadership in book-to-screen projects often overlaps with these long-term friendships. The godparent role is typically included in lifestyle features about Hollywood “chosen family.”

Courteney Cox

Within the extended ‘Friends’ family, Courteney Cox’s close ties have led to repeated “godparent” and “auntie” roles for castmates’ kids over the years. Cast reunions and birthday posts often reference these bonds. The show’s lasting friendships created a web of family-style support offscreen. These connections are commonly highlighted in anniversary interviews and retrospectives.

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson’s friendships within film and music have included godparent-style roles to friends’ children, noted in event coverage and family snapshots. Her long-standing ties to creatives in Los Angeles often bring her into milestone celebrations. Media pieces about “Hollywood aunties” frequently include Hudson. The role underscores cross-industry bonds that start on sets and continue for decades.

Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz is often cited in Spanish and international press as a godmother figure within her artistic circle, reflecting relationships built across Spanish and English-language films. Coverage of family events among her close friends occasionally mentions her ceremonial roles. Cruz’s cross-continental career keeps those friendships active on both sides of the Atlantic. These mentions typically surface in lifestyle features about film-world families.

Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts has longstanding friendships that have placed her in ceremonial roles for friends’ children, a detail included in various entertainment profiles. Photos from private family events and casual gatherings have circulated in fan and press accounts. Watts’s ties across indie and studio projects help explain the enduring connections. These pieces usually describe her as part of a “second family” network.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett’s global career has come with godparent responsibilities in her creative circle, a fact occasionally referenced in profiles centered on her life outside the spotlight. Lifestyle coverage often notes her presence at friends’ children’s baptisms and birthdays. Blanchett’s theater and film friendships stretch back decades, making such honors common in that community. The godparent role is typically mentioned alongside her advocacy and arts leadership.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson is known within her circle for mentoring younger performers and has taken on godparent duties among friends’ families. Entertainment pieces spotlight her steady presence at important family moments. Her long collaboration history in TV and film helps explain the depth of those ties. References to her role often appear in interviews and social media from friends.

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore’s decades-long friendships in New York and Los Angeles have included godmother honors, called out in lifestyle features about show-business families. Media coverage has shown her attending christenings and birthdays for close friends’ kids. Moore’s book and film worlds intersect in many of those relationships. Articles often frame her as part of a tight “village” supporting colleagues’ families.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder has been identified in entertainment roundups as a godmother figure within her enduring network of collaborators. Appearances at personal milestones for friends’ children surface periodically in press and social media. Ryder’s long history on ensemble projects fosters those lifelong bonds. Godparent mentions typically accompany retrospectives on her career and friendships.

Share any surprising godparent pairings we missed—or tell us which one here surprised you most—in the comments!