The unexpected “nepo baby” list: From Lily Allen to Jennifer Aniston


The nepo baby debate has officially reached a fever pitch.

While we’ve all had our fill of the usual suspects like Hailey Bieber and Maya Hawke, there are several members of Hollywood royalty whose A-list pedigree remains relatively under the radar.

A more recent example is the portrayal of Caroline Kennedy in the hit series Love Story: the actress is none other than Grace Gummer – one of the three lookalike daughters of Meryl Streep.

So, without rehashing the viral New York Magazine “year of the nepo baby” debate, here are the stars you likely didn’t realise are keeping the family business alive.

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Lily Allen 

Lily Allen and mum Alison Owen
Owens is best known for producing Elizabeth (1998), Shaun of the Dead (2004), Saving Mr. Banks (2013) and Back to Black (2024). (Getty)

The Smile singer is the daughter of Keith Allen – the prolific actor known for Trainspotting and Robin Hood – and mother Alison Owen, one of Britain’s most successful film producers, with a portfolio that includes the Oscar-nominated Elizabeth and Saving Mr. Banks.

Angelina Jolie 

Angelina Jolie, Jon Voight, Marcheline Bertrand
When it comes to Angelina’s mother, the resemblance is borderline uncanny. (Getty)

While the shadow of her Oscar-winning father, Jon Voight, loomed large over her early career, Angelina Jolie’s Hollywood roots run deep on both sides.

Her mother was the late Marcheline Bertrand, an actress and producer.

While Bertrand stepped away from acting to raise her children, she remained the primary influence on Jolie’s life – specifically when it came to her humanitarian focus.

1977:  Actor Jon Voight and his second wife Marcheline Bertrand pose for a portrait in 1977.  Bertrand and Voight are the parents of actress Angelina Jolie.  (Photo by Fotos International/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand pictured in 1977. (Getty)

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Gracie Abrams

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 13: (L-R) Katie McGrath, J.J. Abrams and Gracie Abrams attend the CAA pre-Oscar party at Living Room on March 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Creative Artists Agency, LLC)
Katie and J.J. have three children together: Henry, Gracie and August. (Getty Images for Creative Artist)

Twenty-six-year-old Gracie is the daughter of J.J. Abrams, the director-producer powerhouse who rebooted both the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises.

Her mother, Katie McGrath, is a producer and the co-CEO of their production company, Bad Robot.

Together, the couple also oversees the McGrath Abrams Family Foundation, which directs millions annually toward reproductive rights and social justice initiatives.

George Clooney

George Clooney and Rosemary Clooney
His aunt, Rosemary Clooney (1928–2002), rose to stardom in the 1950s. (Getty)

The Clooney name was a broadcast staple long before George hit the big screen.

His father, Nick Clooney, was a respected journalist and television host for decades, while his aunt was the legendary singer and actress Rosemary Clooney. 

Actor George Clooney poses in grey turtleneck shirt. (Photo by  Tim Rue/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
For your viewing pleasure. (Corbis via Getty Images)

The Gummer clan

While Meryl Streep’s legacy needs no introduction, her four children have carved out formidable careers of their own.

Born to Streep and American sculptor Don Gummer, Mamie has starred in the likes of True Detective and The Good Wife, while Grace’s resume includes dramas like Mr. Robot and The Newsroom.

Married to producer Mark Ronson, Grace landed the role of Caroline Kennedy in the new Disney+ series Love Story

The youngest, Louisa Jacobson, recently stepped into the spotlight as the lead in HBO’s The Gilded Age.

Henry, meanwhile, is a musician and composer based in Los Angeles.

(L-R) Henry Wolfe, Mamie Gummer, Meryl Streep, Grace Gummer and Louisa Jacobson attend the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 3rd Annual Gala Presented by Rolex at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 03, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures)
Henry Wolfe, Mamie Gummer, Meryl Streep, Grace Ronson and Louisa Jacobson. (Getty Images for Academy Museum)

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Laura Dern

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Diane Ladd and Laura Dern attend the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 09, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Ladd, who died in November 2025, appeared in over 200 films and television shows. (Getty)

Years before her own Oscar win, Laura Dern was an industry fixture as the daughter of Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd.

Her father is a two-time nominee known for Coming Home and Nebraska, while her mother’s decades-long career encompasses Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

The pair famously made history as the first mother-daughter duo nominated for Academy Awards for the same film (Rambling Rose).

Kate Hudson

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: (L-R) Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson and Kurt Russell attend Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation's Pioneer Dinner honoring Kate Hudson at The Beverly Hilton on October 08, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California.  (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
One of Hollywood’s most committed couples, Hawn and Russell have been together since 1983 after meeting on the set of Swing Shift. (Getty)

Raised in the ultimate Hollywood “blended” family, Hudson is the daughter of Oscar-winner Goldie Hawn and musician Bill Hudson.

Kate’s upbringing under Hawn and her longtime partner Kurt Russell provided the blueprint for her breakout role in Almost Famous.

Hudson, 46, often credits Russell with teaching her to prioritise a strong work ethic over the convenience of family connections.

Gwyneth Paltrow

The Shakespeare in Love star’s path to the A-list was paved by her powerhouse parents, who dominated the industry both in front of and behind the camera.

Her mother, Blythe Danner, is a Tony and Emmy-winning veteran with a career spanning over five decades, while her late father, Bruce Paltrow, was a producer and director.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Bruce Paltrow, Blythe Danner
Gwyneth was born in Los Angeles, the daughter of producer and director Bruce Paltrow and Tony Award-winning actress Blythe Danner. (Getty)

Nicolas Cage

Perhaps the most famous instance of a surname pivot, Nicolas Cage was born Nicolas Coppola.

As the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola the legendary director of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now – Cage legally changed his name early in his career to avoid the shadow of his uncle’s towering reputation.

BEVERLY HILLS - JANUARY 25:  (U.S. TABS AND HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT)  (L-R)  Actor Nicolas Cage, director Francis Ford Coppola, his daughter, director Sofia Coppola and her mom Eleanor attend the Universal-Focus Features after-party during the 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 25, 2004 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
His uncle directed none other than The Godfather (1972). (Getty)

Jennifer Aniston 

Before she was Rachel Green, Jennifer Aniston was the daughter of daytime royalty.

Her father, John Aniston, spent over three decades as Victor Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives, while her mother, Nancy Dow, was also a working actress. 

WESTWOOD, CA - MAY 22:  (L-R) Actor John Aniston and daughter actor Jennifer Aniston  attend the after party following the world premiere of Universal Pictures "The Break-Up" at the Napa Grille on May 22, 2006 in Westwood, California.  (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)
Jennifer pictured with her father, who sadly passed away in 2022. (Getty)

Lily Collins

Lily is the daughter of Phil Collins, legendary Genesis frontman and one of the best-selling artists in music history.

Despite her dad’s success, Lily began her career as a teenage journalist for British magazines before transitioning into a career in film and television.

Lily Collins, Phil Collins.
Phil Collins was the mastermind behind Disney’s 1999 animated film Tarzan, composing a Grammy-winning soundtrack. (Instagram/@lilyjcollins)

Sam Nivola

His father, Alessandro Nivola, is a Tony-nominated mainstay of The Many Saints of Newark, while his mother, Emily Mortimer, is a British powerhouse whose credits span from The Newsroom to the critically acclaimed The Pursuit of Love.

Sam Nivola and parents Allessandro Nivola and Emily Mortimer
The 22-year-old has made quite the name for himself following his starring role in The White Lotus. (Getty)

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