- Home
- entertainment
- news
- Actors who have followed in their fathers' footsteps
Actors who have followed in their fathers' footsteps
Erin McDowell
- Many of your favorite actors were inspired to enter the industry by their parents.
- Eugene Levy and Dan Levy achieved greatness together on their award-winning show "Schitt's Creek."
- "Footloose" actor Kevin Bacon even directed his daughter, Sosie, in her first major acting credit.
Colin Hanks followed his father Tom Hanks' footsteps into show business.
The eldest son of Tom Hanks and his late ex-wife Samantha Lewes, Colin Hanks has also made a name for himself as an actor. He's starred in "King Kong," "The House Bunny," and the "Jumanji" series. He's also known for roles in TV shows including "Life in Pieces."
"My dad has always been extremely supportive in every decision I've made and much more interested in me picking what I wanted to do," he told Parade in 2009.
Stellan Skarsgard has three sons who are also actors.
Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard, not pictured, is best known for his roles as Professor Gerald Lambeau in "Good Will Hunting," Boris Shcherbina in "Chernobyl," and Bill Anderson in the movie musical "Mamma Mia!"
His son Alexander has starred in "The Legend of Tarzan," "True Blood," and "Big Little Lies." Gustaf is known for his role as Floki in the History Channel series "Vikings." Bill Skarsgard, Stellan's youngest son, is best known for his terrifying portrayal of Pennywise the clown in the "It" movies.
Michael Douglas followed his dad, Kirk Douglas, into the acting business.
Michael Douglas was born to two actors: Kirk Douglas and Diana Dill. His own son, Cameron Douglas, also appeared in several movies before serving time in prison.
Kirk Douglas had iconic roles in classic films, including "Champion" (1949), "Paths of Glory" (1957), and "Spartacus" (1960), while Michael Douglas is perhaps best known for his Oscar-winning role in 1987's "Wall Street."
Kirk Cameron, himself a three-time Oscar nominee, died in 2020 at age 103.
Denzel Washington's son, John David Washington, left his career in the NFL to become an actor like his father.
Prior to entering showbusiness, Washington was signed with the St. Louis Rams.
His acting credits include roles on the HBO comedy "Ballers," Spike Lee's "BlacKkKlansman," and, more recently, he starred in Christopher Nolan's film "Tenet" and Sam Levinson's "Malcolm & Marie."
"Game of Thrones" star Alfie Allen is the son of British actor Keith Allen.
Alfie Allen is best known for his longtime role of Theon Greyjoy in "Game of Thrones." His father most recently appeared in "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" and "Eddie the Eagle."
Clint Eastwood's son Scott Eastwood has starred in action blockbuster hits like "Suicide Squad."
The son of the iconic actor and film star, Scott Eastwood has also acted in movies like "The Longest Ride," "The Perfect Wave," "Flags of Our Fathers," "Gran Torino," and "Invictus."
Dan Levy followed in his father Eugene Levy's footsteps to create the critically acclaimed show "Schitt's Creek."
Dan and his sister, Sarah Levy, both starred alongside their dad in the award-winning series "Schitt's Creek." Dan Levy has frequently spoken about what it was like to work with his father on creating the series and how special the time spent filming it was to their family.
"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you," Dan said to his father as he accepted the Emmy for best writing in a comedy series in 2020.
"To watch my dad and finally have an understanding of how and why he has had the career longevity that he's had, and why he is continually and will continue to be sought after for the work that he does — I mean, you want to have him on set," Dan told Variety in 2020. "It's certainly set the bar high for me in terms of what I hope to achieve and the reputation I hope to uphold."
Martin Sheen's four children all became actors, too.
Martin Sheen, who played President Bartlet for seven seasons on "The West Wing," is dad to actors Emilio Estévez (of Brat Pack fame), Charlie Sheen ("Two and a Half Men"), Renée Estevez ("Heathers"), and Ramón Estévez, who also produces.
Sheen has acted with his kids multiple times. For example, he and Charlie both appeared in "Wall Street," and they appeared in "Cadence" with Ramón. Ramón also appeared on his dad's shows: "The West Wing" in 2003 and "Grace and Frankie" in 2019.
Dakota Johnson is the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith.
Dakota Johnson may now be one of the most well-known names in Hollywood, thanks to her breakout role in the "Fifty Shades of Grey" franchise and that famous Ellen interview, but she grew up as the second-oldest child of "Miami Vice" actor Don Johnson.
"She doesn't really call me for advice," Johnson told Seth Meyers on "Late Night" in March 2021. "She calls me to say, 'Gosh, I would see you, but I've got three pictures that I'm shooting at the same time.'"
Ben Stiller learned comedy from the best: his parents Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.
Stiller's parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, were a famous comedy duo who frequently appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in the 1960s. Jerry Stiller went on to become an actor as well, appearing in the role of George Costanza's father on "Seinfeld" and Arthur Spooner on "The King of Queens."
Anne Meara passed away in May 2015 at 85 years old. Ben Stiller announced on Twitter on May 11, 2020, that his father Jerry Stiller had passed away, aged 92.
Father and son Brendan Gleeson and Domhnall Gleeson both acted in the "Harry Potter" franchise.
Brendan Gleeson played the role of the beloved yet a little off-his-rocker Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Mad-Eye Moody in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," and the first part of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
Domhnall acted in the final two films as the eldest Weasley brother, Bill.
"Footloose" actor Kevin Bacon directed his daughter, Sosie, in her first major acting credit.
Sosie played the 10-year-old version of her mother's role in "Loverboy," directed by her father. Her most recent acting credit is for her role as Carrie Layden on "Mare of Easttown."
Sosie Bacon also had a recurring role as Skye Miller in the hit series "13 Reasons Why."
Kate Hudson is the stepdaughter of acting legend Kurt Russell and daughter of Goldie Hawn.
Though not his biological daughter, Kate Hudson grew up under the watchful eye of stepfather Kurt Russell. She even calls him her "pa" and sees him as her dad.
"He gave me the gift of confidence instilling a knowingness in me that I deserved everything I worked for and I knew that he'd always have my back in whatever challenges may lay ahead," she wrote in a birthday tribute to him on her Instagram in March 2021. "When you have a dad who gives you permission to be confident, you live courageously."
Rumer Willis followed her parents Bruce Willis and Demi Moore into acting.
Rumer Willis is most well known for her roles in "Hostage," which she appeared in alongside her father, "The House Bunny," "Sorority Row," and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."
READ MORE ARTICLES ON
Popular Right Now
Popular Keywords
Advertisement