The term “nepo baby” has taken a life of its own for all the wrong reasons. Used dismissively to describe someone with famous parents, the term is commonly reserved for young actors whose last names are apparently the only reason for their overnight success. However, not every young actor in modern Hollywood with famous parents lacks the talent to stand on their own feet. Indeed, Hollywood has a long history with nepo babies, and acclaimed actors likeLiza Minnelli,Laura Dern,Drew Barrymore, andNicolas Cagecome from prestigious entertainment families.
Their famous last name doesn’t discredit their talent, though, but it does mean they had it easier than the average Joe trying to make it in the business. Many young actors in current Hollywood might come from famous families, but that doesn’t make them any less talented or charismatic.This list will celebrate those “nepo babies” who have enough talentto stand outside their parents' shadow, proving that they might be privileged but also have the acting credentials to make a name for themselves.
10Lily-Rose Depp
Daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis
Lily-Rose Deppreally came into her own in 2024 with a career-defining, star-making performance inRobert Eggers’Nosferatu. The actress fully immersed herself in the role of a young woman haunted by her desires tied to a sinister supernatural presence, delivering one of the best horror performances of the 21st century. Indeed, in a fair world,she would’ve received an Oscar nominationfor her intense and haunting work.
Of course, she has a very famous last name, but that hasn’t stopped this talented actress from crafting an identity away from her famous parents. After surviving the trainwreck that was HBO’sThe Idoland following her tour de force inNosferatu, Lily-Rose Depp should have every door in Hollywood open. Her prospects as a scream queen in the making only cement her asa promising talent whose best work is probable ahead of her.
9Bryce Dallas Howard
Daughter of Ron Howard
The eldest child of Oscar-winning directorRon Howard,Bryce Dallas Howardmade a splash with her performance inM. Night Shyamalan’s 2004 horror movieThe Village. The film is quite infamous and not exactly popular, but Howard is by far the best part. Her career would go into overdrive in the 2010s with her antagonistic role inThe Helpand as the female lead of theJurassic Worldtrilogy.
Even if her projects aren’t always the best,Howard remains consistently great, bringing great charm and warmth into her performances. In the second half of the 2010s, Howard followed in her father’s footsteps and stepped behind the camera. Her directorial work in theStar Warsfranchise hasearned her a new legion of fans, cementing her as one of the most versatile artists of her generation who has successfully made a name for herself outside her father’s legacy.
8Allison Williams
Daughter of Brian Williams
The daughter of journalist and news anchorBrian Williams,Allison Willaimsbecame a household name in the early 2010s thanks to her role as the domineering Marnie Michaels in HBO’sGirls. She remained with the show throughout its six seasons and started a successful film career after the series finale.
Williams became a mainstay in horror following her acclaimed villainous performance inJordan Peele’s 2017 Oscar-winning thrillerGet Out. Subsequent efforts in the genre include Netflix’sThe Perfectionand the 2022 horror-comedyM3GAN, which she also executive produced. Williams will return for the sequel,M3GAN 2.0, this time as a star and producer.The actress has beenopen about her nepo baby status, claiming that “if you trust your own skill, I think it becomes very easy to acknowledge.”
7Dakota Johnson
Daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith
Following a short but memorable role in the Oscar-winning, generation-defining 2010 dramaThe Social Network,Dakota Johnsonbecame internationally famous by starring in the controversial film adaptation ofFifty Shades of Grey. The reviews were ruthless, but Johnson made the most of the notoriety, returning for the sequels and building a successful film career.
Johnson’s career has been through many ups and downs, echoing that of her parents,Don Johnsonand Oscar nomineeMelanie Griffith. However, the actress has proven her talent in films likeLuca Guadagnino’sSuspiria,Drew Goddard’sBad Times at the El Royale, andCooper Raiff’sCha Cha Real Smooth. Sure, she suffered a very heavy blow with the notoriously terribleMadame Web, but Johnson is bouncing back withCeline Song’sMaterialists.
Madame Web
6John David Washington
Son of Denzel Washington
Denzel Washingtonis widely considered by many to be the greatest living actor. The two-time Oscar winner is a Hollywood legend, so it makes sense that his children would want to follow his career. The eldest,John David, traded a blossoming career in football for the entertainment business, starting his acting journey in the mid-2010s and slowly building his resume.
Washington’s breakthrough role came with the 2018 Oscar-winningSpike Leecrime biopicBlacKkKlansman. In 2020, he ledChristopher Nolan’s ambitious sci-fi thriller,Tenet, and co-starred oppositeZendayainSam Lenvinson’s pretentious but ultimately intriguing romantic dramaMalcolm & Marie. Washington has continued exploring different genres, leading the ambitious sci-fiThe Creatorand the horror dramaThe Piano Lesson, proving himself asa versatile actor willing to take risks.
5Zoë Kravitz
Daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet
Zoë Kravitz’s journey to stardom didn’t happen overnight. The actress has been consistently working since the late 2000s, playing supporting roles in numerous franchises likeX-Men,Divergent, andFantastic Beasts. Her career received a major boost in 2017 with her role in HBO’s acclaimed dramaBig Little Lies.
However, she would reach a new level of fame in the 2020s, starting with her lead role in the short-lived but acclaimed romantic comedy TV seriesHigh Fidelity. Kravitz’s ticket to stardom came in 2022, when she was cast as Selina Kyle, AKA Catwoman, inMatt Reeves' neo-noir reboot of the Batman story. In 2024, Kravitz received glowing reviews for her directorial debut in the thrillerBlink Twice, marking yet another chapter in her career.Kravitz has now made a name for herself, and her resume will only keep growing in the years to come.
4Maya Hawke
Daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman
Oscar nomineesUma ThurmanandEthan Hawkewere one of the defining couples of the ’90s, starring in the sci-fi classicGattacaand having two children together. The eldest,Maya, began her career as a model before making her acting debut as Jo March inthe BBC adaptation ofLittle Women. In 2019, Hawke appeared inQuentin Tarantino’s comedy-dramaOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodand joined the cast of Netflix’sStranger Things.
Hawke is now consideredamong the most promising talents in Hollywood. Like other nepo babies, she has never shied away from acknowledging her parents' legacy and even appeared in the filmWildcat, directed by her dad. In 2024, Hawke delivered one of her finest performances as the voice of Anxiety in the mega-hitInside Out 2.
Stranger Things
3Margaret Qualley
Daughter of Andie McDowell
Margaret Qualleyhas taken the world by storm. The actress made a name for herself in the early 2010s and was even a series regular in the acclaimed HBO dramaThe Leftovers. 2019 was a banner year for her, as she received an Emmy nomination for her portrayal ofAnne Reinkingin the FX miniseriesFosse/Verdonand was part of the ensemble ofOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood.
For her lead role in the 2022 miniseriesMaid, Qualley received Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award nominations. Her work in last year’sThe Substanceearned her another Golden Globe nomination, plus numerous critics' wins, to the point where many lamented her lack of an Oscar nomination. However, it seems likea matter of time before Qualley earns an Oscar nod; she has proven herself a remarkably daring actress willing to risk it all for her art.
The Substance
2Jack Quaid
Son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid
Meg RyanandDennis Quaidwere one of the defining couples of the ’90s. She was the ultimate rom-com queen, and he was the classic boy next door; it was a match made in Hollywood heaven. Sadly, the marriage ended in the new millennium, but the union resulted in one of the most delightful young actors in modern Hollywood:Jack Quaid.
The young Quaid began his career in the early 2010s with a small role in 2012’sThe Hunger Gamesbefore rising to international fame by playing Hughie in Prime Video’s hyper-violent superhero showThe Boys. The actor hasproven his versatility by appearing in multiple genres, ranging from rom-coms, horror, and even action thrillers. Quaid is one of the most down-to-earth celebrities, often opting for a self-deprecating approach and evenacknowledging his status as a nepo baby. Who doesn’t love this guy?
1The Skarsgård Brothers
Sons of Stellan Skarsgård
Stellan Skarsgårdis an acting institution known for playing villains in franchises likeDuneand meaningful supporting roles in everything fromAndortoMamma Mia!The actor’s children have followed in his footsteps, creating one ofthe most prolific acting families in the business.
AlexanderandBillare the most internationally famous of the siblings. The latter won an Emmy forBig Little Liesand appeared in hit shows likeTrue BloodandSuccession, and the latter has become a bonafide horror icon with roles in movies likeItandNosferatu. The second-eldest of the siblings,Gustaf, is well-known for his role in the historical showVikings, while the youngest,Valter, has made a name for himself in Swedish cinema. Despite their famous last name, these four brothers have proven their talent over and over,cementing the Skarsgård dynasty as one of the bestin the entertainment world.
