Most Famous Actresses Who Are Nepo Babies
Many well known actresses grew up with family ties to film, television, or music. That background often means early exposure to sets, scripts, and people who shape projects long before the first audition. The term nepo baby simply points to those connections within the industry.
This list highlights twenty famous actresses who come from entertainment families. Each entry notes the relatives who worked in the business and the roles that helped these performers become widely recognized by audiences.
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is the daughter of actor Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand. She spent parts of her childhood around sets and industry events, which gave her a close view of how films get made.
Her career includes leading roles in hits such as ‘Girl, Interrupted’, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’, ‘Maleficent’, and ‘Salt’. She has also directed features and continues to appear in large franchise projects like ‘Eternals’.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow is the daughter of actress Blythe Danner and producer director Bruce Paltrow. She grew up in Los Angeles and New York with regular access to rehearsals and production offices.
She built a film and television resume with projects such as ‘Shakespeare in Love’, ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’, and ‘Iron Man’. She has also appeared on series including ‘Glee’ while running business ventures alongside her screen work.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore comes from the Barrymore acting family. Her parents are actor John Drew Barrymore and actress Jaid Barrymore, and her lineage includes stage and screen figures from earlier eras.
She became widely known as a child in ‘E.T. the Extra Terrestrial’ and later starred in films such as ‘Never Been Kissed’, ‘Charlie’s Angels’, and ‘The Wedding Singer’. She also hosts ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ and runs a production company.
Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson is the daughter of actress Goldie Hawn and musician actor Bill Hudson. She was raised by Hawn and actor Kurt Russell, who became a prominent figure in her home life.
Her breakout came with ‘Almost Famous’, followed by popular titles like ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ and ‘Glass Onion’. She continues to balance film roles with music and entrepreneurial projects.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis is the daughter of actors Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis. She grew up familiar with studio lots and publicity cycles that surround major releases.
She became a genre mainstay with ‘Halloween’ and went on to star in projects such as ‘True Lies’, ‘Knives Out’, and ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’. She also writes books and maintains a steady presence in both film and television.
Laura Dern
Laura Dern is the daughter of actors Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd. She often visited sets during childhood and appeared in small roles before moving into leading parts.
Her credits span blockbusters and prestige projects including ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Blue Velvet’, and ‘Marriage Story’. She also starred in the series ‘Big Little Lies’ and works as a producer on select titles.
Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson is the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith and the granddaughter of actress Tippi Hedren. She spent early years on sets and attended events tied to her family’s careers.
She gained global attention with ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ and has since appeared in ‘A Bigger Splash’, ‘Suspiria’, and ‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’. She also works in television and independent films while producing select projects.
Zoë Kravitz
Zoë Kravitz is the daughter of musician actor Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. She grew up between music studios and film sets with early experience in performance.
Her screen work includes the series ‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘High Fidelity’ along with films such as ‘The Batman’ and ‘Kimi’. She also records music and directs videos while developing new film projects.
Lily Collins
Lily Collins is the daughter of musician Phil Collins and entrepreneur Jill Tavelman. She moved between the United Kingdom and the United States and began working in media at a young age.
She stars in the series ‘Emily in Paris’ and has led films such as ‘Mirror Mirror’, ‘To the Bone’, and ‘Love, Rosie’. She also writes and serves as an ambassador for philanthropic campaigns.
Margaret Qualley
Margaret Qualley is the daughter of actress Andie MacDowell and model Paul Qualley. She trained in dance before shifting to acting and signed with a talent agency as a teen.
Her roles include the series ‘The Leftovers’ and ‘Maid’ as well as films such as ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ and ‘Sanctuary’. She works across independent projects and studio releases and appears in fashion campaigns.
Bryce Dallas Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard is the daughter of director actor Ron Howard and writer Cheryl Howard. She studied acting and performed on stage before moving into screen roles.
She has led franchises with ‘Jurassic World’ and appeared in titles like ‘The Help’ and ‘Rocketman’. She also directs episodes of major series including ‘The Mandalorian’ and has helmed documentary and feature work.
Emma Roberts
Emma Roberts is the daughter of actor Eric Roberts and the niece of actress Julia Roberts. She began auditioning as a child and grew up around productions across film and television.
Her screen credits include ‘Nancy Drew’, ‘We’re the Millers’, ‘Scream Queens’, and ‘American Horror Story’. She also produces projects through her company and appears in book to film adaptations.
Lily-Rose Depp
Lily Rose Depp is the daughter of actor Johnny Depp and singer model Vanessa Paradis. She spent her childhood between France and the United States and entered modeling and acting in her teens.
Her roles include the series ‘The Idol’ and films such as ‘The King’, ‘Voyagers’, and ‘A Faithful Man’. She works in both English and French projects and continues to appear in major fashion campaigns.
Maya Hawke
Maya Hawke is the daughter of actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. She studied performing arts and began modeling before moving into acting roles.
She became widely known through ‘Stranger Things’ and has appeared in films such as ‘Do Revenge’ and ‘Asteroid City’. She also writes and records music that accompanies her screen career.
Riley Keough
Riley Keough is the daughter of musician Lisa Marie Presley and actor musician Danny Keough and the granddaughter of Elvis Presley. She started modeling as a teen and then shifted to acting.
Her work includes ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ and ‘The Girlfriend Experience’ followed by the music drama ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’. She also directs and produces and has taken on leading roles in independent films.
Rashida Jones
Rashida Jones is the daughter of music producer Quincy Jones and actress Peggy Lipton. She studied writing and performance and began her career with television roles.
She became a familiar face through ‘The Office’ and ‘Parks and Recreation’ and later created and starred in ‘Angie Tribeca’. She writes screenplays and produces documentary features as well.
Anjelica Huston
Anjelica Huston is the daughter of director John Huston and the granddaughter of actor Walter Huston. She modeled and acted from a young age with guidance from her family’s circle of filmmakers.
Her filmography includes ‘Prizzi’s Honor’, ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’, and ‘The Addams Family’. She collaborates with directors on character driven projects and continues to work in television and film.
Tatum O’Neal
Tatum O’Neal is the daughter of actors Ryan O’Neal and Joanna Moore. She grew up in Los Angeles and began acting as a child alongside her father.
She gained early acclaim with ‘Paper Moon’ and starred in titles such as ‘The Bad News Bears’ and ‘Little Darlings’. She later returned to television with appearances in ‘Rescue Me’ and other series.
Zoey Deutch
Zoey Deutch is the daughter of actress Lea Thompson and director Howard Deutch. She trained in acting from a young age and booked early roles on television.
Her work includes films such as ‘Before I Fall’, ‘Set It Up’, and ‘Not Okay’ along with the series ‘The Politician’. She also produces and develops scripts with frequent collaborators.
Billie Lourd
Billie Lourd is the daughter of actress Carrie Fisher and talent executive Bryan Lourd and the granddaughter of actress Debbie Reynolds. She studied theater and joined ensemble casts soon after college.
She appeared in ‘Scream Queens’ and became a regular on ‘American Horror Story’. She has supporting roles in films such as ‘Booksmart’ and has small parts in the recent ‘Star Wars’ trilogy.
Share your picks and any names we missed in the comments.
