In the world of glitz and glamour, it’s easy to assume that every star rose to fame on their own. But behind the scenes, many celebrities are more connected than you’d think. Whether it’s through blood, marriage, or distant ancestry, some of the biggest names in entertainment share surprising family ties.
Shirley MacLaine and Warren Beatty
Siblings Shirley MacLaine and Warren Beatty are both well-respected actors in Hollywood. MacLaine is Beatty’s older sister. While they have never worked together in a project, they are supportive of each other’s careers. And they have been really successful!
They’ve both won Academy Awards. MacLaine won Best Actress in 1984 for Terms of Endearment, and Beatty won Best Director for Reds in 1982 and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for his career in producing in 1999.
Barbra Streisand and Josh Brolin
Barbra Streisand is the stepmother of “Dune” star Josh Brolin. The iconic singer, actress and director met actor James Brolin, Josh’s father, at a blind date dinner party in 1996. Streisand was 54 and he was 56, and they tied the knot two years later.
Streisand often posts pictures with her grandchildren, Josh’s two daughters from his marriage with Kathryn Boyd. And they are always seen together in events, such as awards ceremonies and red carpets.
Emma Roberts and Julia Roberts
Actress Emma Roberts is the niece of Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts, and daughter of actor Eric Roberts. She started her career as a child in Nickelodeon. Emma and her aunt Julia both appeared in Garry Marshall‘s 2010 ensemble romantic comedy Valentine’s Day.
About the “nepo-baby” discourse, Roberts has been pretty clear that she doesn’t like it. In a recent interview with Flaunt magazine, she revealed that she has “never gotten a job because of it” but she “definitely” has “lost a couple of jobs because of it.”
Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci
Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci have worked together in the iconic “The Devil Wears Prada,” but it turns out these two actors are also family. Tucci is married to Felicity Blunt, who is Emily’s sister.
And, actually, they both met at the premiere of “The Devil Wears Prada,” while Tucci was still married to his previous wife Kate Tucci, who died of breast cancer in 2009. Tucci and Felicity reconnected in 2010, when he attended Emily’s wedding to John Krasinski. So, talk about a famous family!
George Clooney and Rosemary Clooney
In the “nepo-baby” discourse, not many people mention George Clooney. But the actor has connections to the entertainment industry thanks to his aunt, Rosemary Clooney, who was a renowned singer and actress. Also, his father, Nick Clooney, was a television host and journalist.
But Clooney isn’t shy when talking about the impact his aunt had on him, and how he approaches fame. In 2021, he told The Guardian that seeing how his aunt lost her career made him understand “how little the fame side has to do with me.”
Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford
Kaia Gerber is the daughter of 1990’s supermodel and fashion icon Cindy Crawford. Gerber started her career as a model at only 15 years old, following the steps of her mother. But she has now become one of the rising talents in acting with roles in “Bottoms” and “Palm Royale.”
Talking about her famous parents and how their connections have helped her, Gerber told Elle in 2023 that she doesn’t “deny the privilege” she has had, “Even if it’s just the fact that I have a really great source of information and someone to give me great advice, that alone I feel very fortunate for.”
Dakota Johnson and Melanie Griffith
Dakota Johnson is the daughter of actors Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. She is also close with Antonio Banderas, who was her stepfather while he was married to her mom for nearly two decades.
Dakota has said that her parents tried to force her to go to college instead of pursuing acting. “They discouraged [it]. See how well that turned out? But I understood. They wanted me to have as much of a childhood as I could,” she told W Magazine.
Margaret Qualley and Andie MacDowell
Margaret Qualley is the daughter of actress Andie MacDowell. Raised in a family with a prominent Hollywood figure, Margaret has pursued a career in the entertainment industry and established her own reputation.
Qualley collaborated with her mother on the successful Netflix miniseries “Maid,” earning Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress. She has also starred in “The Leftovers,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” and “Seberg.”
Nicolas Cage, Sofia Coppola, and Jason Schwartzman
The Coppola family is basically Hollywood royalty. While you might know that Sofia Coppola is the daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, maybe, if you’re young, you might not remember or know that Nicolas Cage is his nephew.
Meanwhile, Jason Schwartzman is their cousin. He is the son of Francis’s sister Talia and Jack Schwartzman. Jason appeared in Sofia’s Marie Antoinette. They are also related to Gia Coppola, who has already directed two feature films.
Steven Spielberg and Jessica Capshaw
The famous filmmaker, recipient of three Academy Awards and one of the most-influential directors is the stepfather of Jessica Capshaw, who is best known for her role as Arizona in Grey’s Anatomy.
Spielberg married actress Kate Capshaw in 1991, becoming the father of Jessica and Theo. Then, the couple welcomed four children together: Sasha, Sawyer, Mikaela, and Destry. Spielberg had a son, Max, with his ex wife, Amy Irving.