You Had No Idea These 5 Actors Were Nepo Babies All Along
The great nepo baby debate: does talent speak louder than family ties? Here is a list of truly talented actors that are, surprisingly, also children of famous parents.
The term “nepo baby” has become the internet's favorite weapon when it comes to a person who can't act but still does so just because of their family connections. They might deny it, but we all know it. And at times, it's ridiculous to witness another nepo baby trying to convince us that their success has nothing to do with their relatives.
However, there is a different side of that coin that I think is not talked about enough. There are actors so talented that you probably had no idea they came from influential families. And today we’re discussing exactly that.
These are 5 famous actors who are undeniably talented but also happen to be nepo babies. They are crushing it so hard in the industry that I don’t really mind that they might have connections at all.
Tracee Ellis Ross: More Than Just Diana's Daughter
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When you think of Tracee Ellis Ross, you probably picture the vibrant comedic force from Black-ish or her recent haunting performance in Black Mirror Season 7, Episode 1. But what many don't realize is that this Emmy-nominated actress carries a great legacy.
As the daughter of legendary Diana Ross and music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, Tracee could have easily relied on her family connections. Instead, she carved her own path, starting as a fashion editor before conquering Hollywood.
Ross is also special in her opinion on growing up in the spotlight. During the Tamron Hall Show, she beautifully concluded:
“People always say, you know, what was it like growing up in your mother's shadow. I never felt like I was in her shadow. I grew up in her embrace. I grew up in my mother's arms, in her love. Her career, her life, her way of being is what made space for me to have the life and career that I have.”
Benedict Cumberbatch: The Acting Gene Runs Deep
Before he became my personal favorite Sherlock ( sorry, Henry Cavill ), Benedict Cumberbatch was just a kid watching his parents, Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton perform on British television.
Anyone who has seen him perform knows that Cumberbatch is anything but your typical nepo baby. In an interview to The Times, he said:
“After Dad saw me in Amadeus at university, he put his arm around me and said, 'You're better at this than I ever was. I cannot wait to support your career. I'm so proud of you.”
Sean Astin’s Complicated Family Tree Would Make a Great Plot for a Movie
Our beloved Sam from Lord of the Rings has a family story more dramatic than a road to Mordor. Born into Hollywood royalty with actress Patty Duke as his mother and... well, that's where it gets interesting.
While he grew up with The Addams Family's John Astin as his father, the truth about his biological parents is a difficult story, including a brief belief that he was the son of Desi Arnaz Jr., before DNA tests revealed his biological father to be music promoter Michael Tell.
In an interview with Page Six, Astin told:
“And I don’t begrudge myself having been born into a family where I was given a lot. I also feel that that comes with a lot of responsibility that you have the opportunity to embrace or not.”
Lily Collins: Forging Her Own Path in the Spotlight
When your father is Phil Collins, legendary Genesis drummer and solo artist, you might feel pressure to follow in those musical footsteps. But Lily Collins had different dreams in mind. Lily has built a career that's entirely her own.
In an interview with Grazia, Collins reflected:
“I love to sing. But as I wanted to make my own way, far from the paternal genius, I preferred to be an actress. I played in a few musicals because it’s the only setting in which I allow myself to sing. Frankly, I would be too afraid of comparisons!”
George Clooney: The Newsman's Son Turned Hollywood Royalty
Never judge a book by its cover, and George Clooney is a great example of that.
George Clooney's path to stardom is actually pretty interesting. Sure, his dad, Nick Clooney, was a TV host and journalist, and his aunt was the legendary singer Rosemary Clooney. But Clooney wasn't exactly handed roles on a silver platter.
Before becoming THE Silver Fox we all know and love, Clooney was actually struggling financially. He was selling women's shoes and cutting tobacco (yes, really). In an interview to Vanity Fair, Clooney said:
"We didn't have money, but nobody had money. Nobody thought we were poor. We were all just getting through the day."
