15 Actors Who Shared the Screen With Real Family But Most of Us Didn’t Realize

Actors often appear in movies or TV shows alongside their family members, but as we don’t always stick around for the credits, they go unnoticed. Despite the challenges, these actors separate their personal lives from their characters, leaving the audience unaware of their familial ties. And it’s fascinating to discover these hidden connections in the entertainment industry.

Ewan McGregor and his daughter Esther in Obi-Wan Kenobi

Ewan McGregor revealed that his daughter Esther appeared in a cameo in the recent Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series, but not because her dad starred in the title role. The proud father said that Esther auditioned on her own: “Deb, the brilliant director said to me ’I found this great girl but she turns out to be your daughter. Are you happy with that?’ I said that would be amazing.”

Brendan Gleeson and his son Domhnall in the Harry Potter franchise

Mad-Eye Moody and Bill Weasley from the Harry Potter Universe are united not only by the desire for justice and the willingness to fight evil. The actors, it turns out, are father and son in real life.

Ben Stiller and his father Jerry in Zoolander

Ben Stiller’s parents were a popular comedy duo more than half a century ago. Their son Ben followed in their footsteps. Jerry and Ben starred together in several movies including Zoolander.

Leslie Mann and her daughters in Knocked Up

In the movie Knocked Up, we got to see actress Leslie Mann play Debbie, a married woman with 2 daughters. However, when thinking about who would play these 2 little girls, Leslie’s director and husband in real life, Judd Apatow, preferred to include his own 2 daughters, the ones he had with the actress.

Bruce Willis and his oldest daughter Rumer in Hostage

Bruce Willis had a strong desire to teach his daughter to achieve everything by herself. When Rumer mentioned she wanted to be in Hostage, he sent her to an audition. “I insisted that Rumer come in and audition for this part. I said, ’I’m not going to give you this part, you have to earn it.’ So she came in and auditioned and won the part,” Willis shared.

Hilary Duff and her sister Haylie in Material Girls

Hillary and Hayley played sisters in a movie about rich heiresses who have to face difficult choices and make decisions for the first time in their lives.

Meryl Streep and her daughter Mamie Gummer in Ricki and the Flash

Mamie Gummer, an actress known for her striking resemblance to her mother Meryl Streep, has played both a younger version of Streep and her daughter. In the movie Evening, they appeared together for the first time. In Ricki and the Flash, Gummer portrayed Streep’s abandoned daughter who confronts her mother.

Glenn Close with her daughter Annie Starke in The Wife

In 2018, Glenn Close took the role of Joan Castleman in the drama The Wife. It was a story of a woman whose husband was chosen for the Nobel prize. The younger version of this character appeared in flashbacks played by Annie Starke, the daughter of Glenn Close.

Angelina Jolie and her daughter Vivienne in Maleficent

The role of the little princess Aurora in Maleficent went to Vivienne, the daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. This happened mostly because Vivienne was not afraid of the terrible makeup of the sorceress, since she recognized Angelina as her mother. This simplified the filming process, as the other child actors would get scared.

Benedict Cumberbatch and his parents Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham in Sherlock

Benedict Cumberbatch’s real-life parents made a short cameo appearance in the roles of Sherlock’s and Mycroft’s mother and father. They are both professional actors who have had numerous roles on TV.

Matthew Perry and his father John Bennett Perry in Fools Rush In

John Bennett Perry and Matthew Perry played father and son in the romantic comedy about love and the collision of cultures.

Sylvester and his oldest son Sage Stallone in Rocky V

It’s impossible not to recognize him. Rocky Balboa is one of the most remembered boxers in history, even though he’s fictional. Of the entire saga, the movie Rocky V has a slower plot, although a new significant factor: the appearance of Sylvester Stallone’s oldest son, Sage. In it, we can see the duo carry out their father and son roles naturally and entertainingly.

Paul Bettany and his wife Jennifer Connelly in Creation

The couple played the roles of the world-famous naturalist, geologist, and biologist Charles Darwin and his wife Emma.

Melissa McCarthy and her daughter Vivian Falcone in Thunder Force

Melissa McCarthy’s daughter Vivian Falcone actually was once on the set of the same movie. She played the younger version of Lydia in Thunder Force.

Tom Felton and his grandfather Nigel Anstey in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Tom Felton surprised his fans by posting a screenshot from the first Harry Potter film and tagging his grandfather. “This is Lee Jordan....and my grandpa, my real actual grandpa (on the left),” the actor shared. Nigel Astney — a British geophysicist well-known in scientific circles, played the role of one of the Hogwarts professors.

Many people follow in their parents’ footsteps and celebrity kids aren’t any different. Like mom Angelina Jolie, Zahara Jolie-Pitt promotes sustainability through her fashion, while Jean-Claude Van Damme’s daughter can fly just like her dad. Find out how!