Steven Spielberg’s Granddaughter Poppy, 13, Makes Red Carpet Debut

Steven Spielberg was phoning home to find his date for the 2026 Oscars.

Director Steven Spielberg brought his 13-year-old granddaughter, Poppy Gavigan, to her very first red carpet event. The ceremony, held at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on March 15, was hosted by Conan O’Brien.

Steven dressed up in a classic black tuxedo and bowtie for the family’s rare outing. Poppy, whose parents are Jessica Capshaw and her husband Christopher Gavigan, wore a light blue satin dress with a corset, completing her look with a red clutch and matching beaded necklace. (See more red carpet fashion here.)

This wasn’t the first time Steven Spielberg – nominated for Best Picture for producing Hamnet – brought family to the Oscars. He previously brought his daughter Poppy’s older sister, Eva, age 15, to the 2024 ceremony, marking her first time on the red carpet.

Despite being 79 and clearly enjoying time with his family now, Steven has shared that he didn’t initially plan on having children.

He explained to Variety in 2022 that having children didn’t fit his lifestyle, given his constant work on films and scripts. He hadn’t considered becoming a parent until he was making E.T., where he felt a strong sense of protectiveness towards his young cast, especially Drew Barrymore, who was just six years old. It was on that film that he realized what being a parent felt like.

After the film, Steven’s mindset shifted.

He realized, ‘This could actually be my life one day.’ It was the first time he’d considered becoming a father, and he began to see a connection between directing and parenting – that a director can be like a mom or a dad.

Steven explained that he considered the film to be a major achievement. With seven children and six grandchildren of his own, he felt the themes of E.T. particularly resonated with him.

Check out photos of Steven, Poppy, and other stars who attended the 2026 Oscars red carpet.

He explained to Variety in 2022 that having children didn’t fit his lifestyle, given his constant work on films and scripts. He hadn’t considered becoming a parent until he was filming E.T., where he felt a strong sense of protectiveness towards his young cast, particularly Drew Barrymore, who was only six at the time. He realized he was acting as a parent on that film.

After the film, Steven’s mindset shifted.

He realized, ‘This could actually be my life one day.’ It was the first time he’d considered becoming a father, and he thought there was a parallel between directing and parenting – a director is like a parent, guiding and nurturing.

Steven explained that he considered the film a major achievement. With seven children and six grandchildren of his own, he found the story of E.T. particularly relatable and appealing.

Check out photos of Steven, Poppy, and other stars who attended the 2026 Oscars red carpet.