Perhaps acting talent runs in many a family, or perhaps Hollywood – and other film industries – are impacted particularly hard by the dreaded and ever-present nepotism. Maybe it’s a bit of both, but whatever the case,it’s undeniable that there are some very prolific acting families out there, with prestigious surnames that are shared by multiple actors (and sometimes filmmakers) who’ve all made their mark in the world of film.
It can be hard to work out how to rank these families over others, so in no particular order, here are some well-recognized families, all being included here so long as more than one member of each family has found considerable success within the movie industry. Notably, some of these families have become even more showbiz-centered thanks to actors marrying other actors, in turn welcoming new stars into already well-established film families.
10Hemsworth family
Members: Chris Hemsworth, Liam Hemsworth, Luke Hemsworth
The Hemsworth clan doesn’t quite rival other acting families when it comes to size, but they’re still relatively new on the scene, all things considered. They nevertheless deserve a mention because there are three Hemsworth brothers, andthey’ve all made something of a mark in the world of film/TV, with middle childChrisbeing the most popular of the three.
He’s of course played Thor since 2011,appearing in four solo moviesand all fourAvengersmovies released so far. The oldest brother,Luke Hemsworth, is best known for appearing inWestworld, and the youngest Hemsworth,Liam, is known for starring inThe Hunger Gamesseries and beingHenry Cavill’sreplacement inThe Witcher. Whether this acting family continues on over more than one generation remains to be seen, but these three brothers have certainly made a big splash for the family name already.
9Arquette family
Members: Patricia Arquette, Rosanna Arquette, David Arquette
The Arquette family goes back generations, when it comes to acting, withCliff Arquettebeing a noteworthy radio/TV star, and his son,Lewis Arquette, being a TV actor. But it’s the five children Lewis had who are probably the most recognizable nowadays, with all five – in order,Rosanna,Richmond,Patricia,Alexis, andDavid– starring in television and/or movies throughout their respective careers.
Noteworthy roles for Rosanna Arquette included theunderratedMartin Scorsesecomedy/thrillerAfter Hours, andPulp Fiction, which Alexis also had a small part in. Patricia Arquette had starring roles in bothTrue RomanceandLost Highway, while David Arquette is best known for appearing in fiveScreammovies. Additionally,Courtney CoxandThomas Janewere both associated with the family for some time, being married to David Arquette and Patricia Arquette respectively (both relationships ending in the early 2010s, though).
8Chaplin family
Members: Charlie Chaplin, Oona Chaplin, Geraldine Chaplin
The most prominent member of the Chaplin family doesn’t really need an introduction, but he’ll get a brief one anyway.Charlie Chaplinwas one of thebiggest icons of the silent era, excelling at both directing and acting in various classic movies,with histwo 1930s movies –City LightsandModern Times– being particularly brilliant. He also made some excellent non-silent films, withThe Great Dictatorbeing especially… well, great.
Charlie Chaplin’s father,Charles Chaplin Sr., was also involved in the entertainment industry, but it’s Charlie Chaplin Jr. who made “Chaplin” a household name. The legacy has been continued across subsequent generations, too, with daughterGeraldine Chaplin(Doctor Zhivago,The Orphanage) and granddaughterOona Chaplin(Game of Thrones) also making names for themselves as actors within the world of film/TV.
7Skarsgård family
Members: Stellan Skarsgård, Alexander Skarsgård, Bill Skarsgård
Not to be mixed up withPeter Sarsgaard, the Skarsgård family hails from Sweden and has found international success over two generations now.Stellan Skarsgårdkick-started things, being particularly well-known for hiscollaborations with provocative/controversial filmmakerLars von Trier, with four of his eight (!) sons –Alexander,Gustaf,Bill,andValter– also becoming actors.
Of those, it’s probably eldest child Alexander Skarsgård who’s found the most success, with his first big role being in the showTrue Blood, and various movie roles –includingGodzilla vs. Kong,The Northman, andInfinity Pool– following.Not that it’s a competition necessarily (though it could be, knowing brothers), but Bill is giving Alexander a run for his money fame-wise, givenmemorable starring roles in theItfilms,John Wick: Chapter 4, andBarbarian, as well as upcoming titles likeNosferatuand a remake ofThe Crow.
6Carradine family
Members: John Carradine, David Carradine, Keith Carradine
John Carradinewas one of the most prolific actors of all time, working over numerous decades andaccumulating well over 200 credits in his time (at least according to Letterboxd), and was a particularly prominent figure withinthe filmography of John Ford. He had several children who continued the acting legacy John started, includingDavid,Keith, andRobert.
David Carradine is likely the most well-known of John Carradine’s children, given he playedthe title character inKill Billand, before then, was famous for starring in the 1970s showKung Fu.Keith Carradineis also noteworthy for working with directors likeRobert AltmanandRidley Scottduring the 1970s, and having memorable roles in 21st century TV shows likeDeadwoodandDexter. He’s also had children who’ve become actors, notablySorel CarradineandMartha Plimpton.
5Sheen/Estevez family
Members: Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen
There might be a little confusion surrounding the Estevez acting family, given its patriarch,Martin Sheen, chose to be known by a stage name (he was born Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez). Martin Sheen’s best known for playing fictional U.S. president Jed Bartlet for all seven seasons ofThe West Wing, and havingnoteworthy film roles in the likes ofApocalypse Now,The Departed, andthe acclaimed arthouse crime movieBadlands.
When it comes toBadlands, that movie also features brief appearances from two of Sheen’s sons,Charlie SheenandEmilio Estevez, who both went on to become well-known actors during the 1980s and beyond. Charlie Sheen, like his father, starred in an iconic Vietnam War movie – 1986’sPlatoon– while Emilio Estevez’s most iconic role likely came in the form of 1985’sThe Breakfast Club.
4Douglas family
Members: Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas
Kirk Douglaswas one of the last surviving lead actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age, first getting his start as an actor during the 1940s and passing away in2020 at the age of 103. He rose to prominence largely thanks to excelling within the film noir genre, but might be most recognizable nowadays for starring in two early – and rather excellent –Stanley Kubrickmovies:Paths of GloryandSpartacus.
Douglas had four sons, with the eldest,Michael Douglas, finding the most success as an actor, and perhaps even surpassing his father in terms of popularity (he was particularly huge during the 1980s and 1990s). The Douglas family can also countCatherine Zeta-Jonesas a member,given she married Michael Douglas in 2000 and, as of 2024, the pair are still together(with Zeta-Jones’ most well-regarded film roles includingChicagoandTraffic, the latter of which also starred Michael Douglas).
3Barrymore family
Members: Lionel Barrymore, John Barrymore, Drew Barrymore
Everyone nowadays likely knows ofDrew Barrymore, who’s been active in the film industry for more than four decades now, with one of her earliest roles being as a child actor in an undisputed classic:E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.But the Barrymore family goes back far earlier than Drew, and indeed, even before the advent of cinema, givenMaurice Barrymore– the first prominent Barrymore to act – was a stage actor active during the last few decades of the 1800s.
It was his three children who truly took the Barrymore name farduring the early decades of Hollywood, withLionel,Ethel, andJohnall finding success on screen. Then, John Barrymore’s son,John Drew Barrymore, continued the acting legacy and himself had children who also found success in acting, including Drew Barrymore herself. That’s an abridged version, really…the Barrymore family is huge.
2Huston family
Members: John Huston, Anjelica Huston, Danny Huston
The Huston family has a truly impressive legacy, withWalter Hustonbeing the first prominent of the Hustons to find success, being best known for an Academy Award-winning performance inThe Treasure of the Sierra Madre. That legendary Western was directed by Walter’s son,John Huston, who found arguably even more success within the film industry primarily as a filmmaker, but also proved himself more than capable of turning in great acting performances (he’s chilling as the villain inChinatown).
Not only did John Huston direct his father, but he alsodirected his daughter, Anjelica Huston,Prizzi’s Honor, the first notable starring role for her, and far from the last. The legacy of the Hustons has continued thanks also to the likes ofDanny Huston(another of John Huston’s children) andJack Huston, John Huston’s grandchild who’s best known for his roles inBoardwalk Empireand season 4 ofFargo.
1Coppola family
Members: Francis Ford Coppola, Nicolas Cage, Jason Schwartzman
The only family that can genuinely rival the Hustons when it comes to prominence and generations of acclaim is the Coppola clan, with patriarchFrancis Ford Coppolabeing the first to make the name one synonymous with film.He, of course, had one ofthe best decades a filmmaker’s ever had, directingThe Godfather,The Conversation,The Godfather: Part II, andApocalypse Nowbetween 1972 and 1979.
It’s hard to go over all his relatives/descendants who’ve also found success, but some of themost prominent include daughterSofia Coppola(best known for directing), sisterTalia Shire, and nephewsNicolas CageandJason Schwartzman. They’re a force to be reckoned with, overall, both as filmmakers and as actors, and numerous Coppola family members have all appeared in – or directed – too many memorable movies to count.
