You've probably heard the phrase 'it's not what you know, it's who you know.' That old adage is never truer than in the world of show business. Think about it, there's no way that Lisa Marie Presley would have ever wangled a recording contract without that surname, is there...? And there are certainly plenty of successful, well-paid actors prancing about Hollywood now who have relied on a little leg-up on their career ladder too.But who do you know? Your friend Dave? Your Aunt Mary? That weird bloke with the funny eye from accounts? Sadly, they're not going to be able to help you kick off much of a glittering Hollywood career, are they? You need a friend called Mr. Spielberg or an Aunt Angelina...
Here are some choice examples of movie stars putting their surname to pretty good use:
Sofia Coppola helped by Francis Ford Coppola
‘The Godfather III’ was one of the most anticipated follow-ups to two of the greatest films ever made. Unfortunately it features perhaps the worst miscasting in movie history. Winona Ryder was originally due to play the role of Mary Corleone, the Godfather's daughter, but had to pull out at short notice due to illness. Step forward the director's young daughter, Sofia. Her performance was so poor and lambasted by critics, that it pretty much killed her acting career. Thankfully for Sofia she is, like her dad, a brilliant director, being nominated for the Best Director Oscar for ‘Lost in Translation’. Good save, Sof.
Rumer Willis helped by Bruce Willis and Demi Moore
22-year-old Rumer's first two roles were in films alongside her mother. Her third and fourth roles had her on set with her old man. She does, however, seem to be struggling despite the swing of her folks. It may be something to do with her resembling a female version of her father, rather than her mother.
Jaden Smith helped by Will Smith
Jaden Smith is twelve. He's a successful actor, rapper, songwriter and dancer. Becoming a successful actor, rapper, songwriter and dancer at the age of twelve can prove pretty difficult for most kids. Jaden Smith has a slight advantage over most kids though. Most kids' dads are not Will Smith, the successful actor, rapper, songwriter and dancer.
Scott Eastwood helped by Clint Eastwood
Dirty Harry's kid Scott unsurprisingly passed his auditions for his old man's films ‘Invictus’, ‘Flags of Our Fathers’ and ‘Gran Torino’. Mr. Eastwood #3, Kyle, also composed music for those last two (and ‘Million Dollar Baby’ and ‘Mystic River’).
Nicolas 'Coppola' Cage
You could argue that the huge Oscar-winning star Nic Cage shunned the easy route to success by changing his last name from Coppola to Cage when starting out in the business. You could argue that, but you'd lose that argument. At the start of his career, Cage/Coppola immediately went on to star in three of Uncle Francis' movies: ‘Rumble Fish’, ‘The Cotton Club’ and ‘Peggy Sue Got Married’.
Tori Spelling helped by Aaron Spelling
Tori's biggest role was as Donna Martin in her Dad-produced US smash ‘Beverly Hills 90210’. If you don't remember what she looks like, open up a new tab and YouTube a scene from the show featuring Donna. Right. Done that? Now, do you think she would have landed that glamorous part and her subsequent film roles without a bit of Daddy's help...?
Jake Gyllenhaal & Maggie Gyllenhaal helped by Stephen Gyllenhaal
Both son and daughter have now eclipsed their director father in terms of Hollywood success, but they can both thank him for early castings. Maggie's first role was in her dad's 1992 drama ‘Waterland’ and the Oscar-nominated star Jake appeared alongside Billy Bob Thornton in Gyllenhaal senior’s ‘Homegrown’.
Colin Hanks helped by Tom Hanks
In ‘Road to Perdition’, Tom Hanks plays Michael Sullivan Snr., a hitman who takes his son into the deadly world of Irish mobsters in 1930s Chicago with fatal consequences. In real life, Tom Hanks plays the considerate father who takes his son into the luvvies' world of 2000s Hollywood with not particularly successful consequences. They starred together in ‘The Great Buck Howard’, but Colin's yet to break the business properly. Unless you count appearing in ‘Orange County’ with Jack Black. Which we don't.
Who have we missed off the list? What's your favourite example of Hollywood nepotism? Let us know below...
