The Rise of Nepo Babies and Their Extraordinary Talents
In recent years, the term “nepo babies” has sparked a lot of online debate. While some are simply surprised by which actors have famous parents, others express frustration over seemingly untalented artists leveraging their parents’ fame. However, there are many nepo babies who have not only matched but surpassed their parents in talent and success. A Threads user asked, “Who is a famous artist’s (acting, music, writing, art, whatever) progeny who is more talented than their parent?” Here are 21 fascinating answers:
- In her short career, Margaret Qualley is already leagues better at acting than her mom, Andie MacDowell.
Margaret is best known for her roles in Maid and The Substance. Andie is best known for her roles in Back to School, Lies, and Videotapes, and Four Weddings and a Funeral.
- I think Maya Hawke is headed for a bigger career than both her parents, Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. Ethan is already Maya’s dad to a whole generation (and has said he’s proud of that fact), and with her new Hunger Games role, I think that’ll only increase.
Maya is best known for her roles in Stranger Things and Do Revenge. Ethan is best known for his roles in Dead Poets Society and Before Sunrise. Uma is best known for her roles in Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction.
- Miley Cyrus turned her dad [Billy Ray Cyrus] into a trivia question answer.
Related:
14 Random Facts That You Probably Never Knew
Miley is a Grammy-winning singer and actor, best known for songs like “Flowers” and “Party in the U.S.A,” and her starring role on Hannah Montana. Billy is best known for his hit single “Achy Breaky Heart” and his role on Hannah Montana.
- I make the argument that Michael is better than Kirk Douglas.
Michael Douglas is an Academy Award-winning actor, best known for Basic Instinct and The American President. His father, Kirk, was an actor, best known for his roles in Spartacus and Paths of Glory.
- Cissy Houston was kind of a big deal…until her daughter Whitney hit the scene!
Whitney is one of the most awarded and successful singers in history, best known for songs such as “I Will Always Love You” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” She is ranked second on Rolling Stone‘s list of the greatest singers of all time. Cissy was best known for her R&B song, “I’ll Be There.”
- Tom Holland has pretty easily outshone his dad now (Dominic Holland was a well-known comedian in the UK before he became ‘Tom’s Dad’).
Tom is best known for his portrayal of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Dominic is best known for his stand-up comedy and his radio show, The Small World of Dominic Holland.
- Chet Hanks is better than his dad [Tom Hanks].
Chet is best known for his roles in Shameless and Running Point. Tom is an Academy Award-winning actor and one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. He is best known for his roles in Forrest Gump and Saving Private Ryan.
- This feels maybe early doors, but Jack Quaid. I don’t think Dennis ever really rose above ‘not Harrison Ford’. Jack’s just shown such natural sensibilities and quite a bit of range already!
Related:
Women Are Absolutely Destroying The Internet With These 15 Tweets That Had Me Rolling On The Floor
Jack is best known for his roles in The Boys and The Hunger Games. His father, Dennis, is best known for his roles in The Parent Trap and Far From Heaven.
- Chris Pine far outshines his father, Robert Pine (mostly known for having been in CHiPS) in both fame and acting ability.
Chris is best known for his roles in Star Trek (2009) and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. Robert is best known for his roles in CHiPS and Days of Our Lives.
- Angelina Jolie’s talent could flip John Voight’s like a pancake.
Angelina is an Academy Award-winning actor and filmmaker, best known for her roles in Girl, Interrupted and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Her father, Jon, is also an Academy Award-winning actor, best known for his roles in Midnight Cowboy and Coming Home.
- Jaafar Jackson is more talented than his father, Jermaine Jackson.
Jaafar is a singer and actor, best known for his recent starring role in the biopic Michael. Jermaine is a singer and actor, best known as the second vocalist in his family band, the Jackson 5.
- Dan Levy is funnier than his father, Eugene Levy.
Related:
I Was Today Years Old When I Learned About These 45 “Hidden Features” Of Everyday Items, From Credit Cards To iPhones
Dan is a writer, actor, and director, best known for co-creating and starring in the award-winning sitcom, Schitt’s Creek. Eugene is an actor and comedian, also known for co-creating and starring in Schitt’s Creek and for his role in American Pie.
- Sofia Coppola is a better director than her father, Francis Ford Coppola.
Sofia is best known for directing films such as Marie Antoinette and Priscilla. Francis is best known for directing films such as The Godfather trilogy and The Outsiders. Both father and daughter have won Academy Awards.
- Zoë Kravitz is a better actor than Lisa Bonet.
Zoë is best known for her roles in Batman (2022) and the High Fidelity reboot. Her mother, Lisa, is best known for her roles in the original High Fidelity and The Cosby Show.
- Laura Dern is more talented than her parents, Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd.
Laura Dern is an Academy Award-winning actor, best known for her roles in Jurassic Park and Marriage Story. Bruce Dern is an actor, best known for his roles in The Cowboys and Nebraska. Diane Ladd is an actor, best known for her roles in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and Wild at Heart.
- Rob Reiner (RIP). I love both him and his father, Carl, but Rob did far more than his dad. He was a broader talent.
As a director, Rob was best known for Stand by Me and The Princess Bride; as an actor, he was best known for All in the Family and This is Spinal Tap. Carl was best known for creating The Dick Van Dyke Show, his directorial collaborations with Steve Martin, and his role in the Ocean’s Eleven trilogy. Both father and son have won countless awards.
- Mariska Hargitay is a better actor than her mom, Jayne Mansfield, was.
Mariska is best known for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and her humanitarian work. Jayne was best known for her role in The Girl Can’t Help It and as a Playboy playmate.
Related:
I Truly Haven’t Stopped Laughing At These 50 EXTREMELY Petty People Who Got Revenge In Literally The Best Way Humanly Possible
- Damon Wayans Jr. is more talented than his father, Damon Wayans Sr.
Damon Jr. is best known for his roles on Happy Endings and New Girl. Damon Sr. is best known for his roles on In Living Color and My Wife and Kids.
- Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher were incredibly talented in their own right…but Carrie Fisher, their daughter, left them in the dust.
Carrie was best known for playing Princess Leia in the Star Wars films. Debbie was best known for her role in Singin’ in the Rain. Eddie was a singer with hit songs such as “Any Time” and “Wish You Were Here.”
- Zoey Deutch is phenomenal in anything. Lea Thompson was good at some things.
Zoey is best known for her roles in Set It Up and Zombieland: Double Tap. Her mother, Lea, is best known for her roles in the Back to the Future trilogy and Some Kind of Wonderful.
- And, lastly, “Nancy vs. Frank Sinatra (fight me) (politely).”
Nancy is a singer and actor, best known for her song, “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” and her starring role in Speedway. Her father, Frank, was a Grammy-winning singer and actor, best known for songs such as “My Way” and “Fly Me to the Moon.” He is widely regarded as one of the most influential entertainers of the 20th century.
Did we miss any nepo babies who eclipsed their parents? Drop your answers in the comments or in this 100% anonymous form for the chance to be featured in a future Community post.
Disclaimer: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Your daily brain workout:
Most People Can’t Finish This Weekend Mega Word Chain — Can You?
You Might Like:
If You’ve Got Body-Related Problems You’d Rather Not Share With The Class, You Can Just Quietly Add These 35 Products To Cart
You Might Like:
Just 29 Products Reviewers Have Actually Described As “Life Changing”
Also in Internet Finds:
Just A Few Very, Very, Very, Very, Very, Very, Very, Very Dark And Intense Things I Recently Learned About
Also in Internet Finds:
“It All Happened So Fast, I Couldn’t Warn Them”: Here Are 19 Coworkers Who Did Something So Unsettling It Left The Entire Office SPEECHLESS
Also in Internet Finds:
People Of Color Are Revealing Their Favorite White People Traits, And The Public Pooping Comment Has Me Dead
