Jamie Lee Curtis and Mariska Hargitay Debate How to Say “Los Angeles”

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Jamie Lee Curtis and Mariska Hargitay are speaking out about the importance of saying names correctly.

The stars of Freakier Friday and Law & Order: SVU, who were childhood neighbors and recently reunited on the set of Mariska Hargitay’s film My Mom Jayne, playfully disagreed about how to correctly pronounce the name of their hometown.

The funny moment began when Mariska Hargitay smiled as Jamie Curtis recounted how they first met. In a recent interview with Variety, Curtis explained, “You told me you were working on a documentary and that you’d already started sorting through things at your storage unit after moving back to Los Angeles.”

Noticing that Curtis kept saying “Los” Angeles – rather than the usual “Las” Angeles – Hargitay blurted out a comment.

I’m struggling to keep a straight face because you pronounced ‘Los Angeles’ incorrectly,” the former Baywatch star said, glancing at the crew for confirmation. “She really said ‘Los’ Angeles!”

Curtis, 67, responded, clarifying a previous disagreement and referencing a well-known Los Angeles neighborhood. He then playfully questioned, “Or is it just ‘Los’ Feliz?”

Honestly, it’s funny – we weren’t even discussing Los Feliz, and he immediately pointed that out, joking that you wouldn’t just shout ‘Los Angeles!’ He even playfully corrected the pronunciation, leaning into the more traditional Spanish way of saying it. He was clearly feeling confident, saying a jury would definitely be on his side, and then just pleaded with us to move the conversation forward. It was a really charming little moment, actually.

Following a discussion about the different ways something could be said, Hargitay apologized for chuckling when Curtis was sharing serious thoughts.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Mariska Hargitay share a special bond stemming from their upbringing as children of famous Hollywood stars. Curtis is the daughter of iconic actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Hargitay’s parents were bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay and actress Jayne Mansfield, who will be the focus of a documentary Hargitay is releasing in 2025.

Hargitay said she couldn’t recall who initiated their first phone call after being introduced by actress Amy Landecker, but described it as a profoundly important moment. She explained that because of their shared history, the conversation was incredibly emotional – something outsiders wouldn’t fully grasp. Hargitay praised Curtis for being exceptionally sensitive, understanding, and compassionate, noting his unique perspective on her life story was remarkable.

Curtis described the movie My Mom Jayne as beautiful, explaining it’s where she and her partner first met and formed a deep connection. She emphasized the film’s honest and relatable portrayal of human experience, noting it felt very personal despite both of their careers being in the entertainment industry.

For a look at more stars who were raised in Tinsel Town, read on…

In a February 7, 2024 interview on Today, the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson said she initially found the discussion around “Nepo Babies” frustrating and dull.

Honestly, when I heard about all the fuss, I thought it was just silly. So, when Saturday Night Live asked me to do a sketch making fun of it – I immediately said yes! It was a chance to laugh at the whole thing, and I’m always up for that.

Just a quick note that this discussion has been happening for some time now. Emma quickly challenged the idea that her success was due to being Julia Roberts’ niece and Eric Roberts’ daughter.

The actress, who was twenty years old at the time, told PopEater in 2011 that many people assumed she benefited from having connections in the industry. She found the idea of nepotism frustrating, explaining that it simply wasn’t true. She’d auditioned for countless roles without success. While someone might be able to help you land one job, she argued, they can’t guarantee a steady stream of work.

Goldie Hawn‘s daughter doesn’t bother to get the knives out when talk turns to nepotism.

Kate, who was raised alongside Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn’s partner, explained to The Independent in December 2022 that she wasn’t bothered by how people labeled her family. “We’re a family of storytellers – it’s just who we are,” she said. “Whatever people choose to call us won’t change that.”

The mother of Ryder and Bingham (from relationships with Chris Robinson and Matthew Bellamy) and Rani (with current partner Danny Fujikawa) shared that she believes age-based advantages exist in other fields more often than in Hollywood. She specifically mentioned seeing it frequently in the business world, recalling instances in meetings where someone clearly lacked experience despite holding a position of power. She jokingly wondered about these situations, questioning how certain individuals ended up in their roles.

Ultimately, she added, “If you work hard and you kill it, it doesn’t matter.”

Acknowledging her advantages, the daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber told Elle magazine in January 2023 that she’s grateful for the opportunities she’s had. She specifically mentioned having access to excellent guidance and advice as a significant benefit.

When it came to filmmaking, the actress from Bottoms explained that artists won’t compromise their creative ideas to cater to anyone, especially not for the sake of appealing to a younger audience. She emphasized her commitment to artistic integrity, stating that’s what truly matters to her.

She also pointed out that people generally avoid working with those who are difficult, unkind, or just unpleasant to be around. While acknowledging that connections and family ties definitely play a role in some industries, she believes that if those connections were always the deciding factor, we’d see even more instances of it happening.

Carving out her own cinematic universe, Elizabeth is proof that, sometimes, it just takes one.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s younger sister realized what it meant to benefit from family connections even when she was just ten years old. She told Glamour UK in 2021 that while she might not have known the word ‘nepotism’ back then, she felt uneasy about not earning her own achievements. It bothered her early on and stemmed from her own insecurities as a child.

Ben Stiller, whose parents were well-known performers Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller, thinks having connections can only take you so far in the entertainment industry.

After some criticism about casting decisions – specifically, Sean Penn’s son Hopper in a short film directed by Steven Spielberg’s daughter Destry and written by Stephen King’s son Owen – Ben Stiller tweeted in 2021 about the situation. He said, based on his own experience (and claiming he didn’t know any of the people involved), he believed they’d all likely faced difficulties. He pointed out that having no connections in the entertainment industry presents a different set of challenges, and ultimately, success in show business comes down to talent and hard work.

Acknowledging that Hollywood isn’t always fair, the star of Meet the Parents explained that people without talent usually don’t succeed in the long run, even if they get opportunities through connections or family ties.

Ben offered his opinion right away, but in February 2023, he still became part of the conversation about “nepo babies” when Steve Martin jokingly labeled him one in a preview for their Super Bowl commercials with Pepsi.

The former host of The Talk will always support his twin daughters, Charlie and Dolly, and his wife, Rebecca Romijn. He’s also preparing them for potential criticism they might encounter in the future.

He told Us Weekly that he warned his child, ‘People will accuse you of having an unfair advantage because of your family connections – be prepared for that.’ He explained it was inevitable they’d be labeled a ‘nepo baby’.

He added, “You have to work for this. There’s no shortcuts. It’s going to be even harder for you!”

But he is, of course, willing to help out his daughters.

You know, one of the most rewarding things for me is getting to help my daughter prepare for her high school play auditions. I love being able to sit with her at a diner and work through the lines, offering suggestions on how to deliver them. It’s honestly the biggest thing I feel I can share with my kids – just a little guidance in moments like these.

Dylan Penn understands why someone might be upset that she was cast in the 2021 film Flag Day, especially since her father, Sean Penn, directed it. However, she also points out that, as an actress, she’s faced a lot of rejection and has been auditioning for roles for a long time.

Okay, so everyone’s losing their minds over her brother getting a role in this film directed by Spielberg’s daughter, but honestly? She totally gets it! She was like, ‘Look, Hollywood is always about connections. It doesn’t matter if you’re related to someone famous like Sean Penn or not – knowing the right people is everything!’ And I just
I get her so much. It’s brutally honest, and she isn’t afraid to say it! It’s just how things are, sadly.

Dennis Hopper, appearing in Sean Penn’s movie The Last Face, shared with TopMob News back in February that discussions about ‘nepo babies’ hadn’t bothered him much.

He said he’s unconcerned with what people think of his acting. ‘If you enjoy my work, that’s fantastic. If not, that’s okay too,’ he explained after recently filming Devil’s Peak alongside his mother, Robin Wright. He added that he doesn’t care if people suspect nepotism because he’s committed to delivering professional results, just like anyone else, and won’t let family connections affect the quality of his work.

Hopper pointed out that working with his father was just as difficult—a “great nightmare,” really—as it was for any other actor not related to the director.

He also pointed out that, like anyone else, he could be fired for poor performance on a project. He admitted, “If I did a bad job on the first day of filming, I’d lose my job – just like everyone else. And if I wasn’t good at it, I wouldn’t be kept around. In fact, there have been times when I really haven’t been very good.”

In a February 2022 interview with Elle, the actor from High Fidelity explained that people often assumed any success he had was due to his famous parents, Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz.

“It was challenging,” ZoĂ« said. “But I recognize how lucky I am. Finding an agent happened quickly, and that definitely opened doors for me. Still, I had to remind myself that I’ve always worked hard at this – even as a kid, I used to perform for my grandparents. My success wasn’t about who my family is; it was because of my passion for performing.”

Following the controversy, the actress explained to GQ some time later that it’s common for family members to work in the same profession. She pointed out that this is actually the origin of surnames – people were often identified by their family’s trade, like being known as the ‘Black family’ if they were blacksmiths.

In an interview with Elle magazine in November 2022, Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis’s daughter explained that people will likely form opinions about her based on her family name. However, she emphasized that ultimately, landing a role depends solely on being the best fit for it.

That’s understandable, however, the statement made by the star of The Idol about this increasingly popular issue immediately sparked numerous responses from others.

Lily-Rose explained to i-D that she’s become very mindful of how she talks about her upbringing. She feels her parents did everything they could to give her a normal childhood, but acknowledges it wasn’t typical. She understands that growing up was different for her than it was for most people.

Following the conversation started by Lily-Rose Depp, Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin’s daughter acknowledged that celebrity children will succeed or fail based on their own efforts. However, she also pointed out they often get a significant advantage at the beginning of their careers.

In a November 2022 TikTok video, Ireland explained that she owes her success to her parents, stating that acknowledging their influence is crucial – and ignoring it is where people go wrong.

People often think you either have a natural gift or you don’t. But things would be much easier to understand – and more genuine – if everyone simply acknowledged their strengths and weaknesses honestly.

Gwyneth Paltrow explained on Hailey Bieber’s YouTube show in July 2022 that having famous parents – Blythe Danner and Bruce Paltrow – gives children advantages others don’t have, creating an uneven starting point. However, she believes that once you benefit from those connections, you need to work exceptionally hard to prove yourself and overcome the perception of unfair advantage.

Bruce directed Gwyneth in her first acting role, a 1989 TV movie called High. Then, Steven Spielberg cast her in his 1991 film Hook, a fantasy adventure about Peter Pan.

Gwyneth Paltrow recently discussed the criticism faced by children of famous parents, often called “nepo babies.” In an October 2023 interview with Bustle, she said this judgment didn’t exist to the same extent before the term became popular and described it as an “ugly” label.

Stellan SkarsgĂ„rd, the actor known for his role in Dune, recently discussed the topic of ‘nepo babies’ – children of famous parents who benefit from that connection. He shared that his youngest son, Kolbjörn, was being criticized at school because of his father’s fame.

He told Vulture that when classmates call him a ‘nepo baby,’ it really upsets him. He doesn’t have many friends at school and feels isolated, and unfortunately, some kids are just cruel—or cruel and don’t understand the situation—and they enjoy sharing it online.

Stellan added, “It’s ridiculous, really. If you lack the talent, no one will give you worthwhile work.”

Having a famous father meant the actress and activist always knew her upbringing was different from most children’s.

In 2018, Jane told Harvard Business Review that moving to the East Coast when she was ten years old made her aware that she was seen differently. She realized people reacted to her because of her father, Henry Fonda – some were drawn to her because of who he was, while others didn’t like her for the same reason. It was a mixed experience, making her somewhat self-aware.

The actress, a two-time Oscar winner, explained that having a famous father in the movie business definitely gave her a leg up when she started her career. People were naturally more interested in her because of her family connection. However, she also felt a strong need to prove she earned her roles through talent and hard work, not just her name. To avoid being seen as someone who wasn’t serious about acting, she pushed herself, taking four acting classes a week instead of the usual one.

Being the child of someone successful in a field you also love is a wonderful opportunity, as Bryce Dallas Howard, known for her role in Jurassic World, shared in a 2020 interview. She explained that while her father, director Ron Howard, achieving success was great, what truly mattered was his unwavering support, encouragement, and respect for her from the very beginning—even when her first role was simply ‘Redheaded Audience Girl’ in his film Parenthood.

Bryce explained that people often struggle with self-doubt, or others might dismiss their achievements by attributing them to luck or outside factors. However, he believes those kinds of criticisms aren’t significant.

Okay, so listen, I totally admit it – I’m a proud ‘nepo dad’! When the opportunity came up to direct my amazing daughter, Maya (whose mom is the incredible Uma Thurman, by the way!), in Wildcat, I jumped at it. And honestly? I have zero regrets! I told Variety back in September that I’m not even slightly ashamed of giving her a chance to shine. It just felt right!

Maya, who portrays Flannery O’Connor in the film, admitted she sometimes doubted her performance during filming. She explained that online reactions often lack depth, and emphasized how much her father has taught her. They enjoy working and spending time together.

As a lifestyle expert, I often talk about taking ownership of your path, and Maya gets that! She’s incredibly self-aware. Back in 2021, she told People magazine that she knows she’ll only have so many opportunities because of her family name. She put it perfectly: she’s determined to make the most of those chances, because she understands that ultimately, she needs to prove herself on her own merits. She basically said she’s prepared to face the consequences if she doesn’t, and honestly, I admire that kind of honesty and drive!

Just before winning her first Academy Award for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, Jamie Lee Curtis – whose parents were famous actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh – playfully poked fun at current trends.

Jamie Lee Curtis acknowledged her privileged background while accepting a SAG Award in February 2023. With both parents and her husband, Christopher Guest, being actors, she anticipated people might assume her success was due to nepotism – and she understood why. However, she pointed out that at 64 years old, receiving the award was still incredibly meaningful.

I remember when I was first starting out, I was pretty optimistic and maybe a little naive. I honestly thought people would see me as an individual, separate from my dad, Tom Hanks, and give me a fair chance. I quickly learned that wasn’t going to happen, as I shared on the Armchair Expert podcast back in 2018.

The 46-year-old actor, who appeared as “Male Page” in his father’s first film That Thing You Do! in 1996, recently shared on the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast that he appreciates his dad’s advice to pursue acting only if it was truly his passion.

Tom told him, “If you’re not passionate about this, find something new to do – otherwise, you’ll be unhappy.”

When asked about the recent attention on celebrity children following in their parents’ footsteps, Tom Hanks – father to Colin and Elizabeth (with late ex-wife Samantha Lewes) and Chet and Truman with wife Rita Wilson – explained that entertainment is simply “the family business.”

Tom explained to Reuters in January 2023 that their family has always prioritized creativity and storytelling. He noted his four children, who are now grown, were raised in an environment where this was encouraged and they’ve all pursued creative paths.

The director, Marc Forster, choosing Truman to play a younger version of his character in A Man Called Otto made perfect sense, he admitted. But ultimately, the Oscar winner told ET at the premiere, it came down to Truman being able to deliver a truthful performance. He emphasized that it was Truman’s decision and depended on his ability to perform well on set.

A scion of one of the most storied Hollywood dynasties, Drew couldn’t escape her famous last name.

Being John Barrymore’s granddaughter definitely came with expectations, but Drew Barrymore explained on her talk show in January 2023 that she felt she still had to prove herself. She compared it to someone from a family of lawyers – even if their parent is successful, they still need to pass the bar exam and earn their own accomplishments. She just wants people to acknowledge both her background and her individual efforts without being critical.

Heidi Klum’s oldest child is doing well, likely because of her famous parents, Heidi and Seal. However, it’s ultimately up to the child to maintain that well-being.

Leni, 19, explained to People magazine in October 2022 that while she acknowledges her parents’ fame gave her a head start, she’s worked hard to build her own path. She recognizes she had advantages others might envy, but now she’s independent – traveling and attending school on her own. She shares a passion with her mother, which is a strong bond between them.

Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann’s eldest daughter felt upset about being labeled a ‘nepo baby,’ but she’s working on not letting it bother her.

I need to keep working hard and create quality projects, like so many others have before me,” the Euphoria star shared with Net-a-Porter in September 2022. “It’s still early in my career, and I haven’t built up a large body of work yet, but I’m hopeful that I’ll eventually be proud of everything I’ve accomplished independently.

In December 2022, actress Lena Allen tweeted that people should be more concerned about individuals benefiting from family connections in professions like law, banking, and politics – areas where it truly impacts people’s opportunities. She was responding to the discussion around ‘nepo babies’ in the entertainment industry and emphasized her own hard work, adding with a touch of sarcasm, ‘But that’s none of my business.’

After facing criticism about being a “nepo baby” – someone benefiting from famous parents (actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen) – on TikTok, Lily agreed it was a fair point to discuss.

She posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the industry clearly lacks diversity when it comes to class and race, and this hurts everyone. While acknowledging criticism of ‘nepo babies,’ she believes the issue is larger, stemming from broader wealth inequality and a lack of support programs and funding.

Meghan McCain, daughter of the late Senator John McCain and Cindy McCain, believes it’s perfectly okay to be proud of successful parents – as long as you acknowledge your privilege.

In December 2022, she shared on Instagram: ‘To everyone benefiting from family connections – just admit you have an advantage. Recognize the opportunities your parents’ name has given you and then let it go.’ She continued, ‘Talent and hard work matter eventually, but pretending this is a real hardship because people know who your parents are makes you sound awful.’

Does Hailey Baldwin, whose father is Stephen Baldwin and who is the niece of actors Alec, Billy, and Daniel Baldwin, need to explain herself beyond the “Nepo Baby” t-shirt she wore in January 2023?

Though she did.

Hailey explained in June that her recent message was intentionally very direct. She wanted to address what people were saying and clearly share her response, as she discussed on The Circuit With Emily Chang. The Rhode Skin founder also acknowledged being a ‘nepo baby’ – someone with famous parents – and said she fully accepts that label.

In February 2023, Bruce and Demi Willis’s youngest daughter publicly acknowledged her older sisters, Rumer and Scout Willis, and their shared experience of growing up as the children of famous actors.

According to actress Meg Ryan, her son Jack Quaid is incredibly gifted. In an interview with Glamour, she said he has a natural talent that surpasses even her own, adding that she shares him with her former husband, Dennis Quaid.

Meg pointed out that labeling someone a ‘nepo baby’ ignores their hard work, talent, and awareness of any advantages they might have.

Jack is certainly aware of the assumptions that are made about the children of actors.

In a 2022 interview with Thrillist, the star of The Boys anticipated people would assume they knew how he landed the role. He acknowledged they’d likely continue to speculate, but said knowing his own path to the job was what truly mattered to him.

Now 31, Jack decided long ago there was no point trying to hide his parentage.

He explained on the podcast Allegedly with Matthew Cole Weiss in 2016 that he wasn’t trying to avoid acting. He really admired both of his parents’ work. Jack also pointed out that because he couldn’t audition until age 18, he would be thrilled to have this job even if his parents weren’t actors.

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2026-06-16 23:52