Celebrities We Didn’t Know Were Related
The entertainment world has massive influence on the world as it is, which makes it easy to perceive it as a huge world on its own with a more special set of citizens. However, it’s actually a lot smaller than most people think. As a matter of fact, many stars actually have more in common with their fellow celebrities than just large bank accounts—their often superior genes, for ones. Here are some of the most surprising connections in Hollywood today.
Julia Roberts and Emma Roberts – Aunt/niece
Roberts is a common enough name, which is why not many would immediately connect actresses Julia Roberts and Emma Roberts. They are, in fact, aunt and niece as Emma is the daughter of actor Eric Roberts, who is Julia’s brother. Emma is currently one of the industry’s most bankable actresses today, but the real question is will she ever reach the level of her aunt’s massive bank account?
Marlon Brando and Tuki Brando –
Grandfather/grandson
If the good looks weren’t indication enough, may be the surname should have been a clear sign that fashion model Tuki Brando and late actor Marlon Brando were related. It is said that the two did not share a cordial relationship, as reportedly, The Godfather actor left his grandson nothing in his will when he passed away in 2004. Tuki was orphaned at age 5 when his mom (and Brando’s daughter) Cheyenne Brando killed herself, while his father was murdered a month before he was born, and the murderer was none other than Cheyenne’s half brother! Tuki was raised by his maternal grandmother and Brando’s third and last wife, Tarita Teriipaia, and is said to be very close to her.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Katherine Moennig – First cousins
We all know that Gwyneth Paltrow comes from a great acting dynasty with her mom being actress Blythe Danner and her dad being famed filmmaker Bruce Paltrow. However, stardom is also manifest in another branch of the family as Gwyn is actually first cousins with The L Word actress Katherine Moennig, who is the daughter of Blythe’s half-brother. So this is one family who is not only rich in net worth, but is even richer in talent.
Paul Burke and Alia Shawkat – Grandfather/granddaughter
Actress Alia Shawkat is best known for being a part of the cast of Arrested Development. What most people do not know is that her acting roots go deep as her granddad is actor Paul Burke, a celebrated television star in the 60s with shows like Twelve O’Clock High to his credit.
Rip Torn and Sissy Spacek – Cousins
Actress Sissy Spacek’s formidable acting talent was honed when she attended the Lee Strasberg Institute, a popular breeding ground for young talent. She was able to attend such a film school with the help of her cousin, veteran actor Rip Torn. It can definitely be argued that Rip gave Sissy the much-needed leg-up in the industry.
Jenny McCarthy and Melissa McCarthy – First cousins
The last names should actually be a dead giveaway, but not many people make the connection that actresses Jenny McCarthy and Melissa McCarthy are actually first cousins. This is likely because their respective time in the limelight has a gap of several years. However, to give them both credit, they are both excellent comedians, which should have been another giveaway.
Ariana Grande and Frankie J. Grande – Siblings
Frankie is a TV personality and dancer who started out in Big Brother season 16 as a contestant and it was there that he revealed that he was singer Ariana Grande’s brother. The family name itself should have been a give-away. Of course, Ariana is the more famous of the two siblings who also started out on TV but went on to become a popular singer. Recently, Frankie tweeted a few kind words about his sister’s ex-boyfriend, rapper Mac Miller, who reportedly died of a drug overdose.
Blake Lively and Robyn Lively – Sisters
Blake Lively is one A-list actress who we all thought we know inside-out because of her constant presence in social media. However, many are still surprised to find out that she is not the only actress in her family. In fact, her sister, Robyn Lively, who is 15 years older, has already been in the industry as far back as the late 80s. Technically half-sisters, they both benefited from their mother, Elaine’s beauty.
Jonah Hill and Beanie Feldstein – Siblings
Beanie Feldstein is one of today’s up-and-coming actresses, wowing the audiences with her performance in Lady Bird. It soon came to light that her Hollywood roots are a lot more substantial as her brother is an even more famous actor, Jonah Hill. They can claim to be full siblings, as well, even if Jonah is not using their real last name, Feldstein.
Beyoncé and Bianca Lawson – Step-sisters
Singer Beyonce Knowles has some pretty talented people in her family, and no, we are not just talking about her husband, rapper Jay Z or her sister, singer Solange. We are referring to actress Bianca Lawson, who has acted in popular TV series such as Pretty Little Liars, The Vampire Diaries, Sister, Sister, and Dawson’s Creek among others. That’s right, Bianca and Beyonce are step sisters, as her dad, actor Richard Lawson, married Queen Bey’s mom Tina Knowles. Certainly a modern family situation here, as the step sisters are cordial with each other, with no animosity in sight.
Brigitte Bardot and Anne Charrier – Grandmother/granddaughter
One of Brigitte Bardot’s grandchildren, Anne Charrier, is following in the bombshell’s footsteps and has joined the acting world. The French actress’ career started in the theater, and she eventually moved to television and films. Anne is the daughter of Nicolas-Jacques Charrier, Bardot’s one and only child. It’s obvious from this photo that aside from acting skills, Anne has also inherited some of her famous grandmother’s features.
Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner – Fifth Cousins
Actress Jennifer Lawrence was often asked if she’s related to celebrities with the same last name like Martin Lawrence and Joey Lawrence, as well as with famous people who look a lot like her, like Bella Hadid. She isn’t related to these celebrities, but who would have thought she’s actually related to actor Jeremy Renner. The discovery of the two being fifth cousins was just by accident, when genealogists were trying to find out if Lawrence was related to her Hunger Games co-star Josh Hutcherson. Coincidentally, both play notable characters in movies who are skilled in archery – Lawrence in Hunger Games, while Jeremy Renner plays superhero Hawkeye in Marvel’s Avengers movie franchise.
Jason Momoa and Zoë Kravitz – Stepdad/stepdaughter
Zoë Kravitz is already quite lucky, being able to claim a formidable lineage from father Lenny Kravitz and mom Lisa Bonet. It doesn’t end there, however, as this also means that she calls actor Jason Momoa of Game of Thrones and Aquaman fame as her stepdad as he is married to Lisa.
Gregory Peck and Ethan Peck – Grandfather/grandson
Ethan Peck is one of today’s fast-rising stars and is currently seen starring in the TV series, 10 Things I Hate About You. Many have marveled at his classic good looks, and for good reason, as he is actually the grandchild of none other than legendary actor, Gregory Peck! Perhaps he’ll be achieving his granddad’s large net worth and acclaim in the future.
Kate Middleton and Dakota and Elle Fanning – Distant cousins
Actresses and sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning seem to be real life Hollywood princesses with Elle even flawlessly portraying one in Maleficent. The reason that this comes so naturally to them is that they can actually trace their lineage to royalty—most specifically, King Edward III of England. However, the sisters are not the only celebrities who can claim this lineage as true-blue royal Duchess Catherine of Cambridge (real name Kate Middleton) is also directly descended from the same king.
Hilary Duff and Queen Elizabeth II – 18th cousins
One-time teen queen Hilary Duff has always kept it relevant and stayed up with the times to have us all interested in knowing ‘What’s she up to now?’ The curiosity is probably what got people interested in conducting a genealogy study for Duff and as it turns out, she’s royalty! Well, sort of. She is actually the 18th cousin of the current reigning monarch of Britain, Queen Elizabeth II. Duff is related to two people who have royal blood; Catherine Car, who may have been Henry VIII’s illegitimate daughter and Alexander Spotswood, Edward III’s 10th grandson. So can we expect a chair to be laid out for Duff at the next royal Christmas dinner? Let’s not hold our breaths.
Rob Schneider and Elle King – Father/daughter
Elle King is the hit-maker behind the catchy song, Ex’s & Oh’s. That’s not her first claim to fame, however, as she is actually the daughter of actor and comedian Rob Schneider. She chose not to use his last name so she can make her own way in the industry, but the family resemblance is unmistakable.
Ron Howard and Clint Howard – Brothers
If you have followed the career of actor-director Ron Howard, you might have noticed a familiar face that keeps appearing in the many movies he has made. That face is none other than that of actor Clint Howard, who, in case you don’t know, is Ron’s younger brother. And even before the character actor appeared in movies that Ron directed, Clint first appeared alongside Ron in the TV series The Andy Griffith Show. The show is the award-winning director’s biggest acting break, where he starred as Opie Taylor, the son of Andy Griffith’s character, Andy Taylor. Clint visited his elder brother on set wearing a cowboy outfit, and the director cast him as Leon, the sandwich-offering boy in a cowboy suit.
Tex Ritter and Jason Ritter Grandfather/grandson
Actor Jason Ritter of Parenthood fame is well known for being the son of another actor, John Ritter, who was a huge star in the 80s. What most people don’t know is that fame and the huge bank account that goes with it have actually been in the family far longer in the form of Tex Ritter, the famous “singing cowboy” who starred in Western movies between the 30s and 60s.
Margaux Hemingway and Dree Hemingway – Aunt/niece
Of course, the last name Hemingway is a dead giveaway that these two are descendants of celebrated writer, Ernest Hemingway. What’s most interesting here is that these two women, separated by a generation, both pursued lucrative careers as fashion models. Considering the Hemingways’ infamous penchant for taking their lives through suicide, which claimed the lives of both Margaux and her grandfather, Ernest, we can only hope that Dree does not show any signs of depression and follows suit.
George Wendt and Jason Sudeikis – Uncle/nephew
Jason Sudeikis is one actor who is currently enjoying the spoils of comedy in both fame and net worth. He is not the first one in his family to do so, however. In fact, Jason only followed in the footsteps of his uncle, George Wendt, who spent some time in the limelight when he starred in Cheers back in the 80s, among others.
Edie Sedgwick and Kyra Sedgwick – First cousins
We can’t help but marvel at actress Kyra Sedgwick’s beauty, which must really run in the family as this particular blonde, waif-like look was originally made famous by her cousin, model Edie Sedgwick, who most flower children know and love as Andy Warhol’s muse. While Edie struggled with substance abuse for most of her life and passed away in 1971, Kyra, on the other hand, is living a more stable life with husband, actor Kevin Bacon.
Jessica Capshaw and Steven Spielberg – Stepfather/stepchild
We all know Jessica Capshaw as a fine actress who is one of the stars of Grey’s Anatomy. She is, in fact, the daughter of actress Kate Capshaw, who is married to legendary filmmaker, Steven Spielberg. It seems that Jessica is definitely not enjoying any preferential treatment, though, as she is yet to appear in one of her stepdad’s movies.
Prince Charles and Ralph Fiennes – Distant cousins
Actor Ralph Fiennes is not only a fine actor, but he is quite a regal presence both in the movies and on stage. It’s not a surprise, therefore, that he actually has royal blood that can be traced back to James II of Scotland from the 1400s. Another notable who can claim the same lineage is none other than Prince Charles, and this makes the next in line to the British throne and Ralph eighth cousins.
Amy Schumer and Chuck Schumer – Distant cousins
Amy Schumer is one of today’s most successful comedians while Chuck Schumer is a senator from New York. Apart from their last name, they do not really have anything else in common, right? Wrong. They are, in fact, actually cousins separated by several degrees. In fact, Amy has even publicly defended Chuck when he came under fire sometime last year.
*Source: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2017/03/143467/are-amy-chuck-schumer-related-cousins
Patti LaBelle and Gia Edwards – Grandmother/Granddaughter
The world took a collective sigh when legendary soul singer Patti LaBelle shared an adorable image of her granddaughter on her Instagram page, wearing designer clothes with a lollipop in hand. The mini-diva herself has an Instagram page where she is often seen in matching outfits with her stylish mother. Patti absolutely dotes on her tiny grandkid and it’s easy to see why, she’s oh-so-adorable!
Madonna and Hillary Clinton – Distant cousins
Here’s another unlikely relationship that’s sure to blow everyone’s mind—Hillary Clinton and Madonna are distant cousins! To the tenth degree of grandparents, as a matter of fact. For sure, what they have in common ends there, though.
*Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/558586/Hillary-Clinton-Madonna-related-cousins-US-Election-2016-Donald-Trump-White-House-race
Bernie Sanders and Larry David – Distant cousins
Larry David, who we best know as the star of Curb Your Enthusiasm, once appeared in the show Find Your Roots for fun. He was surprised to find out that he had an equally famous relative, who was none other than Senator Bernie Sanders. They turned out to be third-degree cousins!
*Source: https://time.com/4970053/bernie-sanders-larry-david-finding-your-roots-pbs
Bonnie Bedelia and Macaulay Culkin – Aunt/nephew
Actor Macaulay Culkin needs no introduction, but he is not the only famous person in his family. And we’re not talking about his brother, Rory, either, who has also pursued a career in show business. We are actually referring to his aunt, actress Bonnie Bedelia, who we best know for starring opposite Bruce Willis in a couple of Die Hard movies. Bonnie is the sister of Macaulay’s dad, but thankfully doesn’t have her nephew’s substance abuse problem.
Anne Gwynne and Chris Pine – Grandmother/grandson
Chris Pine is one of the finest looking and most talented actors in Hollywood today. No wonder he is quite a sought-after leading man with a growing net worth. But then, considering that his grandmother is none other Anne Gwynne, Hollywood’s original scream queen and popular pin-up girl of the World War II era, we can’t say that we’re surprised as he certainly has the pedigree.