The number of celebrities in the entertainment business is plentiful. However, there are several big family names in the industry, like the Hemsworths, the Barrymore family, and a few others. These actors were able to jumpstart their careers due to one or both of their parents already having a dominant presence in the spotlight.

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Whether their parents were actors themselves, singers, or any other occupation that produces fame, these actors sure benefited from their renowned family members. Sometimes it really does matter who one knows instead of what one knows.

10 Ben Stiller Is Son Of Famous Comedy Duo

Father and son Ben and Jerry Stiller

Ben Stiller is known for his roles as Larry Daley in the Night At The Museum film trilogy and as the Derek Zoolander in the 2001 film Zoolander and its sequel. Ben is the son of comedy duo Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, who both got their start at Second City Improv in Chicago.

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Along with his successful comedy career, Jerry appears alongside his son in films like Zoolander and The Heartbreak Kid. Ben's mother unfortunately passed away in 2015, and his father died in 2020.

9 Lily Collins Doesn't Play Drums Like Her Dad

Lily Collins in Mirror Mirror

Lily Collins made her debut in the film industry at the mere age of two years old in the TV show Growing Pains. Her most recent roles include Princess Snow White in the 2012 film Mirror Mirror and Rita Alexander in the critically acclaimed 2020 film Mank. Lily is the daughter of Jill Tavelman and Phil Collins.

Phil is a highly decorated musician, most notably during the 1980s, and is also recognized for his musical contributions to the Tarzan soundtrack. Lily gets her acting abilities from her dad - as a 13-year-old, Phil starred as Artful Dodger in the musical Oliver! on West End.

8 Robert Downey Jr. First Appeared In His Father's Films

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Robert Downey Jr. is best recognized for his role as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but made his acting debut at only five years old in his father's 1970 film Pound. RBJ is the son of filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., and actress Elsie Ann Downey. The late Robert Downey Sr. became an established filmmaker in the 1960s, known for his anti-establishment themes.

He is best known for writing and directing his 1969 film Putney Swope, which portrays the advertising industry on New York's Madison Avenues. His films are often considered low budget and feature family like his son and spouses as cast members.

7 Drew Barrymore's Famous Family Dates Back To The 1700s

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore proves it really does run in the family by her successful acting career. The theatrical talents of the Barrymore family date back to the 1700s, with Drew's great-great-great-grandfather Thomas Frederick Lane and his career as an actor and theatre manager, along with his wife, Louisa, as a singer and actress.

Drew was born to John Drew Barrymore and his wife, Jaid, both of whom were actors. Drew began her career at an early age with her role as Gertie Taylor in the 1982 film E.T. the Extra Terrestrial. She frequently co-stars with Adam Sandler in popular films like 50 First Dates. 

6 Maya Hawke Has Two Superstar Parents

Maya Hawke

Ethan Hawke became well-known in the industry from his breakthrough role in the iconic 1989 film Dead Poets Society. Before he was nominated with two Academy Awards, Hawke gained a different type of award in 1998, the birth of his first child, Maya.

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Maya was born to Ethan and actress Uma Thurman, and got her start by modeling. Maya makes her film debut as Jo March in the 2017 BBC adaptation of Little Women, and is best recognized for her role as Robin in the third season of the hit Netflix show Stranger Things. 

5 Tracee Ellis Ross Was Born To Motown Singer Diana Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross in Blackfish

Tracee Ellis Ross is best known for her recurring role as Dr. Rainbow Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish since 2014. However, her breakthrough role was as Joan Carol Clayon, the protagonist of early 2000s sitcom Girlfriends. Tracee is the daughter of well-known Motown singer and actress Diana Ross, and music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein.

Tracee first began in the fashion industry, before diving into acting - much like her siblings did. Evan Ross is one of Tracee's half-brothers from her mother's second marriage, and he stars as Messalla in both parts of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay. 

4 Zoe Kravitz Is Jason Momoa's Step-Daughter

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Zoe Kravitz stars as Angel Salvadore in her breakthrough appearance in the 2011 superhero film X-Men: First ClassZoe later got cast in several more films, like the Divergent series with her role as Christina, and in Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them as Leta Lestrange. Zoe is the daughter of famous musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet.

In addition to winning a few Grammys, Lenny stars as Cinna in the Hunger Games film franchise. Her mother, Lisa, stars as Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show and is currently married to Aquaman himself, Jason Mamoa.

3 Angelina Jolie Has Academy Award Winning Father

Angelina Jolie as Thena in Eternals

Angelina Jolie is frequently in the spotlight for her performances on-screen, but also for her highly talked about marriage to fellow famous actor, Brad Pitt. Jolie's portrayal of video game character, Lara Croft, in the 2001 film Lara Croft: Tomb Raiders is frequently regarded as her first successful role, which helped establish her career as a notable actress.

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She was born to Jon Voight and the late Marcheline Bertrand, who both were involved in the acting profession, as well as humanitarian work. Voight began his film career in the late 1960s, and some of his more notable performances include his roles as Luke Martin in the 1978 film Coming Home and as Mr. Sir in the 2003 film Holes.

2 Jack Quaid Began His Career In Hunger Games

Jack Quaid in The Hunger Games

It's no wonder why Jack Quaid would be interested in the film industry with superstar acting parents like Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan. Jack makes his film debut as Marvel, the male tribute from District 1 in The Hunger Games. 

After his minor role as Marvel, Jack goes on to experiment with independent films and sketch comedy. He has since been cast in the Amazon series The Boys as protagonist Hugh Campbell. He is also set to appear in the upcoming Scream film.

1 Colin Hanks Co-Stars With His Father In The Great Buck Howard

NCIS Colin Hanks

Colin Hanks is the son of renowned actor Tom Hanks and his first wife and fellow actress, the late Samantha Lewes. Colin began his acting career in 1999 on the science-fiction show Roswell as Alex Whitman. His first film appearance is alongside Jack Black in the 2002 comedy film Orange County, as high school student Shaun Brumder.

Colin even co-stars with his father as a father and son duo in the 2008 film The Great Buck Howard. Colin plays Troy Gable, an aspiring writer who goes against his father's wishes by refusing to attend law school.

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