16 Legendary Celebrities Who Have Equally as Famous Grandkids

Priscilla Presley, John F. Kennedy and other big names have handed down their fame to a third generation of celebs

These stars have kept fame in the family for generations!

With "nepo baby" (or in this case, "nepo grandchild") being a ubiquitous buzzword in today's culture, it's clear the celebrity gene runs deep in some lineages. A-listers have helped give their descendants the space to make strides in outlets like showbiz, sports or politics.

While some celebs deny the role of their famous family ties, others recognize the privilege that comes with having connections in their industry. Regardless, the spotlight has historically been passed through generations of relatives, and many nepo babies have extended their grandparents' legacies.

Below, take a look at these notable figures and their grandchildren who've followed in their famous footsteps.

Priscilla Presley & Riley Keough

Though she's often recognized for her six-year marriage to the King of Rock 'n' Roll (and turning his Tennessee estate into the iconic museum, Graceland), Priscilla Presley also gained renown as an actress. She played Jane Spencer in the Naked Gun trilogy (1988, 1991, 1994) and Jenna Wade on the soap opera Dallas, while also filling guest spots on shows like Melrose Place and Touched by an Angel.

Priscilla has four grandchildren — Riley Keough, Benjamin Keough (who died by suicide at 27 in 2020) and Finley and Harper Lockwood — but it seems only Riley has inherited the acting gene so far. After her first on-screen gig in The Runaways (2010), Riley earned acclaim with further roles in movies like American Honey (2016) and Zola (2021) and shows such as The Girlfriend Experience, The Terminal List, Daisy Jones & The Six (for which she was nominated for an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie) and Under the Bridge. Riley even stepped behind the camera, making her directorial debut with War Pony, which won the Caméra d'Or award at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.

Related: Riley Keough Was First Introduced to the World on a 1989 PEOPLE Cover: See the Sweet Photo

Dolores Costello & Drew Berrymore

Drew Barrymore comes from a long lineage of Hollywood stars, and her grandmother, Dolores Costello, was the "Goddess of the Silent Screen" — who had notable roles in films like The Sea Beast (1926), Noah's Ark (1928), Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936) and The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) before retiring in 1943.

"Ever since I could remember … somewhere around 3 years old, I felt this extraordinary responsibility, when I would watch my family's movies, to keep their name alive," Barrymore told PEOPLE in April 2024. "It helps me make sense of why I feel so magnetized to work in the field of film and television. I've got it in my jeans and my blood, and I've been lucky enough that this business would allow me to keep going."

Following in her family's footsteps, Barrymore has made a name for herself as an actress, with iconic roles in films like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Scream (1996), The Wedding Singer (1998), Charlie's Angels (2000) and 50 First Dates (2004). She now hosts the daytime talk show The Drew Barrymore Show.

John F. Kennedy & Jack Schlossberg

John F. Kennedy served in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate before becoming the youngest man ever to be elected as U.S. president. Though his term was cut short after his 1963 assassination, Kennedy's political legacy lives on through his only grandson, Jack Schlossberg.

Schlossberg earned an undergraduate degree from Yale, followed by his M.B.A. and J.D. at Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School. (He passed the New York bar exam in 2023.) And like much of his family, Schlossberg dips his toes into the political sphere — becoming Vogue's political correspondent in 2024 — while also posting quirky videos on social media in his free time.

Jack Nicholson & Duke Nicholson

Heeeeere's Duke! The legendary Shining star's grandson (born Duke Norfleet to Jack's oldest daughter, Jennifer Nicholson) followed his grandfather into the horror genre with his debut role in Jordan Peele's Us.

Gregory Peck & Ethan Peck

The popular American actor, who starred in classic films such as Roman Holiday (1953) and How the West Was Won (1962), and had an Oscar-winning turn in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), passed on his acting chops to grandson Ethan, who appeared in the George Clooney-starring film, The Midnight Sky (2020), as a younger version of Clooney's character.

"I think I had a full panic attack," Ethan told CBS' Watch! magazine in 2019 of landing the role of a younger version of Clooney's character, Augustine Lofthouse. "I had to sit down on the curb, and I was in tears."

Ethan has also starred on the 2009 TV adaptation of 10 Things I Have About You (1999) as Patrick Verona and on Star Trek: Discovery as Spock.

Kirk Douglas & Cameron Douglas

Born Issur Danielovitch, Kirk Douglas was a superstar actor, producer, director and philanthropist. He passed on his acting legacy to son Michael Douglas — who's married to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones — and grandson Cameron (Michael's son with his ex-wife, Diandra Luker).

In 2003, the three generations of Douglas men got to act alongside each other in the comedy-drama It Runs in the Family.

Debbie Reynolds & Billie Lourd

Born Mary Frances Reynolds, the Hollywood icon had an incredible career in TV, movies and dance before she died on Dec. 28, 2016, one day after her daughter, Star Wars actress Carrie Fischer, died at 60 after suffering a heart attack.

Fisher's daughter, Billie Lourd, followed in her mother's footsteps by entering the Star Wars universe as Lieutenant Connix — appearing in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) — and donned Princess Leia-esque earmuffs as Chanel #3 on Scream Queens (2015–2016). Lourd also paid homage to her beloved grandmother by appearing on the reboot of Will & Grace as the granddaughter of Reynolds' character.

Tippi Hedren & Dakota Johnson

Tippi Hedren was a successful model until she was discovered by legendary director Alfred Hitchcock and took a stab at acting. The star grew to fame leading his iconic thrillers The Birds (1963) and Marnie (1964).

In 1957, Hedren welcomed daughter Melanie Griffith (also an actress) with then-husband Peter Griffith and eventually became grandmother to actress Dakota Johnson. Johnson became a household name after starring in the Fifty Shades of Grey films and is currently engaged to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

Related: Dakota Johnson's Parents: Everything She's Said About Her Famous Family

Roxie Roker & Zoë Kravitz

Roxie Roker came to fame as Helen Willis on the classic CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. She is also mom to musician Lenny Kravitz, who had daughter Zoë Kravitz with actress Lisa Bonet in 1988.

Zoë shares her family's talent for music and acting; she has been seen in films like Dope (2015) and Kimi (2022), starred on the award-winning HBO drama Big Little Lies and played Catwoman in Matt Reeves' The Batman (2022) — a role she's slated to reprise in the 2026 sequel, The Batman Part II.

Samuel Goldwyn & Tony Goldwyn

Samuel Goldwyn was born Schmuel Gelbfisz in Poland in 1879 and went on to become one of Hollywood's most influential pioneers. From creating several studios (yep, that's him in Metro Goldwyn Mayer) to having a hand in producing dozens of award-winning films throughout his 40-plus-year career, Samuel was a founding member behind the scenes of the movie industry.

His grandson, Tony, has found success in acting — voicing Tarzan in the beloved animated Disney film (1999), playing Fitzgerald Grant on the long-time TV drama Scandal and joining Law & Order in 2024 as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter (replacing Sam Waterson).

Blythe Danner & Apple Martin

Blythe Danner is an actress (with roles in films like 2000's Meet the Parents) producer and, oh yeah — mom to Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow, who had daughter Apple and son Moses with Chris Martin.

With Danner as her grandmother and Paltrow and Martin as parents, it stands to reason that Apple might have some influential aspirations of her own, already making a name for herself in the fashion world.

Paul Burke & Alia Shawkat

Paul Burke was best known for his roles as Adam Flint on the TV series Naked City — which earned him two Emmy noms — and Joe Gallagher in 12 O'Clock High.

Alia Shawkat went on to follow in her grandfather's footsteps, landing memorable TV roles such as Maeby Fünke on Arrested Development and Dory on Search Party. She also joined the cast for season 2 of Apple TV+'s Severance.

Wellington Mara & Kate and Rooney Mara

The Maras are one of the most influential families in the NFL; Tim Mara, Wellington Mara's father, founded the Giants in 1925 and Wellington went on to become the co-owner of the the team until he died in 2005.

Granddaughters Kate and Rooney Mara turned to acting and made a name for themselves in Hollywood. Rooney starred as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) and Catherine in the sci-fi romance film Her (2013) — alongside now-fiancé Joaquin Phoenix, with whom she has a son, River, and is expecting a second baby. Meanwhile, Kate has held roles in films like The Martian (2015) and Call Jane (2022) and on TV series such as House of Cards and Class of '09. She shares two kids with her husband, actor Jamie Bell.

Berry Gordy Jr. & Skyler Austen Gordy

Music executive and pioneer Berry Gordy Jr., who famously founded Motown Records and co-wrote iconic songs like the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" and "ABC," is grandfather to Skyler Austen Gordy, who was one half of the musical duo LMFAO.

Skyler, who goes by stage name Sky Blu (stylized as 8ky 6lu), and Stephen Kendal Gordy, Skyler's uncle who goes by stage name Redfoo, created LMFAO and had chart-topping hits like "Party Rock Anthem," "Sexy and I Know It" and "I'm in Miami B----." However, the two have since disbanded the group.

Anne Gwynne & Chris Pine

Pin-up star-turned-actress Anne Gwynne performed in horror films Black Friday (1940) and House of Frankenstein (1994) before appearing on the TV series Public Prosecutor (1947–1951) as Patricia Kelly.

Years later, grandson Chris Pine would continue the family business, with roles as James T. Kirk in the Star Trek reboot film franchise (2009, 2013, 2016), Steve Trevor — opposite Gal Gadot — in Wonder Woman (2017) and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) and Edgin in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023).

Related: See Hollywood's 'Nepotism Babies' Side-by-Side with Their A-List Parents in Their Breakout Roles

Donald Sutherland & Sarah Sutherland

The Canadian actor — who died at age 88 in June 2024 — had a long and impressive career, racking up numerous film and TV credits and awards, as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

He was also father to actor Kiefer Sutherland (best known for his starring role as Jack Bauer in 24) and grandfather to actress Sarah Sutherland, who played Catherine Meyer on HBO's Veep.

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