They say talent runs in the family. So, it should come as absolutely no surprise that many of today's biggest Hollywood stars are the sons and daughters of entertainment royalty. Angelina Jolie, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Liza Minnelli are some of the "um, duh" names you normally see associated to this subject. But did you know that Lenny Kravitz's mom was a '70s TV icon? Or that Chris Pine's dad co-starred on a classic NBC police drama? Below, check out eleven surprising celebs who inherited fame and talent from their parents.
Celebrities You Never Knew Had Famous Parents
By
Michael Avery in
Entertainment
On 24th August 2015
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#1 ALEXANDER SKARSGARD
'True Blood' hunk Alexander Skarsgard's father, Stellan, began a successful career in his home country, Sweden, in the late '60s, before achieving crossover success in America in the '90s. Among Stellan's most famous films: 'Thor'; 'Good Will Hunting'; and the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise. Film nerds will also know him for playing Jan Nyman in Lars Von Trier's haunting drama 'Breaking the Waves.'
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#2 BLAKE LIVELY
'Age of Adeline' star and new mom Blake Lively's talent is all in the family; her father, Ernie Lively, has been a bit actor since the '80s, appearing in everything from 'Turner & Hooch' to 'The Dukes of Hazzard.' (Fun fact: He also played Blake's father in the 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' movies, because awwww.)
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#3 CHRIS PINE
With his good looks and talent, Chris Pine could have only been conceived in a place like Los Angeles. His father, Robert Pine, is a famous actor, known primarily for his work on the NBC cop series 'CHiPs.'
#4 EMILY & ZOOEY DESCHANEL
Sisters Emily and Zooey Deschanel have one super-famous father, although he tends to stay behind the camera -- quite literally, in fact. He's five-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Caleb Deschanel, who has worked on some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters of the last 30 years. Among the biggest: 'The Right Stuff'; 'The Patriot'; and 'The Passion of the Christ.'
#5 GWYNETH PALTROW
Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow grew up with not one, but two famous parents: Her late father, Bruce Paltrow -- who died in 1999 -- was a famous writer and director, achieving peak success on the TV series 'St. Elsewhere.' Her mother, Blythe Danner, is an Emmy-winning actress, having appeared in everything from Woody Allen movies to Broadway. No word yet on from which parent Gwyneth inherited all that GOOP nonsense.
#6 ABBY ELLIOTT
File this under "Things You Can't Tell Just By Looking At Her." 'Saturday Night Live' beauty Abby Elliott is, believe it or not, the daughter of famous comedian Chris Elliott. You know, the guy from such hits as 'Cabin Boy' and 'Scary Movie 4.' (Or, as we like to call him, That Guy Who Sort-Of Looks Like That Bandit From The 'Home Alone' Movies.)
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#7 LENNY KRAVITZ
Rocker Lenny Kravitz's mom, Roxie Roker, was the subject of national headlines back in the '70s when she played part of the first interracial couple on American television on the hit series 'The Jeffersons.' Lenny, of course, has dabbled in acting himself, appearing in 'The Hunger Games' and 'Precious.'
#8 MAYA RUDOLPH
No wonder her impersonation of Beyonce is so dead-on! 'Saturday Night Live' alum Maya Rudolph is the daughter of '70s music icon Minnie Riperton, the singer behind the chart-topping smash 'Lovin' You.' In fact, according to Internet legend, Riperton first conceived her famous single as a lullaby of sorts for her now-famous daughter. You can actually hear Riperton sing her daughter's name at the end of the track.
#9 ZOSIA MAMET
Okay, we all know that Allison Williams is the daughter of maligned NBC News anchor Brian Williams. But did you know that her 'Girls' co-star, Zosia Mamet, has an equally famous dad? Yep, her pop is David Mamet, the Oscar-nominated and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer behind everything from 'The Untouchables' to 'Glengarry Glen Ross.'
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#10 RASHIDA JONES
Here's a way to win big at your next Trivia Night: Not only is former 'Parks and Recreation' star Rashida Jones the daughter of music icon Quincy Jones, her mom is model-actress Peggy Lipton. Peggy is known to your parents as Julie Barnes from 'The Mod Squad,' and known to the next generation as Norma Jennings from 'Twin Peaks.'
