These stars are sticking to the family business.
Hollywood has a long history of famous families, starting with the Barrymores in the early days of movies, and continuing with families like the Fondas and Hustons. Today, Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan appear to be creating their own legacy with their son, actor Jack Quaid. However, sometimes unexpected family connections in the industry come to light.
Consider Elle King, the singer behind the hit “Ex’s & Oh’s.” While her father is comedian Rob Schneider, she legally changed her name to Elle King – using her mother London King’s name – when she turned 18. She did this to honor her mother and establish her own identity, separate from her father’s fame.
She revealed to Billboard in 2015 that her parents’ marriage happened very quickly – just three days after they first met.
Elle shared that as soon as she turned eighteen, she legally changed her last name to her mother’s. She explained that this was because her mom raised her, and she wanted to establish her own identity.
And the Saturday Night Live alum was proud of his daughter’s success.
Rob shared on The Meredith Vieira Show that she achieved everything independently. He explained that she wanted to establish her own identity, as it can be difficult growing up as the child of someone famous. He expressed how proud he was of her for succeeding on her own merits.
Another star who changed his name? Nicolas Cage.
Nicolas Cage is known for his roles in movies like National Treasure, Face/Off, and Leaving Las Vegas, for which he won an Academy Award in 1996. However, his family background also played a significant role in his success. Born Nicolas Kim Coppola, he comes from a prominent filmmaking family – his father is film executive August Coppola, and his uncle is the famous director Francis Ford Coppola.
Ready for more surprising family connections? Keep reading.
In a 2024 episode of the PBS series Finding Your Roots, host Henry Louis Gates Jr. discovered that Lena Dunham and Larry David are distant relatives through Dunham’s mother’s side of the family.
Genealogist Dr. Adina Newman, who shares family history discoveries on Instagram as My Family Genie, has reportedly found a connection between Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix. According to her research, they are related through their fathers’ common grandmother, with the lineage stretching back to the 1600s.
Schroeder, a self-professed true crime fan, commented on Newman’s post, “Omg I’m unwell.”
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen many blended families navigate complex relationships, and Antonio Banderas and Dakota Johnson’s is a great example. Even though Antonio and Dakota’s mom, Melanie Griffith, divorced after 20 years of marriage back in 2015, it’s wonderful to see their close bond hasn’t faded. They’ve clearly maintained a really lovely relationship, despite the split.
Johnson got emotional when she presented an award to Banderas at the 2019 Hollywood Film Awards.
Johnson, whose father is actor Don Johnson, feels fortunate to come from a family with lasting marriages. She especially credits her stepfather, who became a major influence in her life. When she was six, her mother married a man who brought joy, creativity, and a wonderful little sister into their family.
The actresses from Teen Witch and Gossip Girl are half-sisters with the same mother, who is their talent manager, Elaine Lively.
The singer of “Ex’s & Oh’s” is the daughter of a former “Saturday Night Live” cast member and his ex-partner, London King, who is a model.
The Fast & Furious actress is related to the R&B singer through her stepfather, Reverend Edward Best, who is the singer’s uncle.
The late-night host and the Rescue Me alum are third cousins.
The former Grey’s Anatomy actor has referred to the famous director as his stepfather since he married his mother, Kate Capshaw, in 1991.
The actress from Grown-ish says she’s related to the rapper – they’re second cousins. She was also a flower girl at his wedding to Kelis back in 2005.
The actress is the daughter of the Back to the Future icon.
The actress, known for her role on Veep, is also a celebrity thanks to her famous father – the star of 24, Jack Bauer.
Fans of Emily in Paris were surprised to learn that actress Lily Collins is the daughter of a famous English musician who has won a Grammy Award.
The comedian and the New York Senator are actually related, as he’s the first cousin of her father.
An Ancestry.com family historian told People magazine in 2014 that the Fannings and Princess Diana share a common ancestor: King Edward III, who reigned over England from 1327 to 1377. This makes them very distant relatives—specifically, 21st cousins.
The actors are actually brother and sister.
The cast of popular shows like Reno 911!, Orange Is the New Black, and This Is Us share a surprising connection: the actors are all cousins!
I was so excited to see Nash announce on Instagram in January 2024 that he, along with the others in the photo from the Academy Museum Gala, are actually real cousins! It’s amazing to finally know they’re family!
The SNL alum calls the Cheers icon Uncle George whenever he sees him. At least, we assume he does.
Yep, Game of Thrones‘ Stannis Baratheon is the real-life dad of Fear the Walking Dead‘s Nick Clark.
The singer Sam Smith and the actress Jenna Ortega are distant cousins – specifically, third cousins. Smith revealed in a radio interview that they’ve never actually met due to the large size of their family.
The Salt actor and the memorable Law & Order: SVU guest star are half-brothers.
You may not have guessed but the Bridesmaids comedian and the former View co-host are cousins.
The actress from We’re the Millers is lucky to have a great mentor in the star of Pretty Woman – who also happens to be her aunt.
Who knew the stunning Dancing With the Stars pro is second cousins with the Friends alum?
As a lifestyle expert, I’m always fascinated by how people find their passions! It’s so interesting to learn that the actor who plays a vampire on True Blood actually got into acting thanks to his father – you might recognize him from the Avengers and Thor movies! It seems talent really can run in families.
The actor known for playing Ghost Rider has a family full of creative talent. His cousin directed the film The Bling Ring, another starred in Saving Mr. Banks, and his uncle famously directed The Godfather.
The British singer, known for speaking her mind, is the older sister of a star from Game of Thrones. She even wrote a song called “Alfie” about him.
The Damages star and the Lipstick Jungle actress are second cousins.
The Terms of Endearment actress originally inspired her baby brother to get into show business.
The Parks and Recreation actress is the daughter of the legendary music producer.
The Lost actor has a very famous cousin in the Mission: Impossible star.
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2025-12-24 14:17