Famous Celebrities Who Collaborated with Family: Angelina Jolie, Jon Voight, Will Smith, Jaden Smith, and Beyond
Famous celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Jon Voight, Will Smith and Jaden Smith, and many more have joined forces with their family members to work on various projects Explore the dynamic collaborations and impressive talent that runs in these well-known families
Numerous renowned families have multiple actors amongst their members, and a portion of those relatives have subsequently collaborated on the big screen. Prior to the release of the 2001 film Donnie Darko, siblings Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal displayed hesitation towards appearing together as co-stars.
"Immediately, she said, 'Richard, you're only offering this to me because I'm Jake's older sister. You should be finding the best actress for the role,'" director Richard Kelly told Vox in April 2017. "So she was already trying to dissuade me from casting her, in a very selfless manner. And I was genuinely impressed by that... So I was determined to persuade her to do it after that."
The film wouldn't be the same without the sibling bond that Maggie and Jake brought to their characters. "Maggie was truly an integral part of the puzzle that created the family dynamic in the film," Kelly added. "I'm thankful that she agreed to take on the role."
Scroll down for more stars who worked with their family on screen:
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Celebrity Family Members Who Worked Together: Angelina Jolie and Jon Voight, Will Smith and Jaden Smith and More
Director Richard Kelly shared in an interview with Vox in April 2017 that when he offered the role to Maggie, she immediately expressed her concern that she was only being considered because she is Jake's sister. She insisted that the best actress should be chosen for the part. Kelly was impressed by her selflessness and was determined to convince her to take on the role. Kelly also noted that the film heavily relied on the brother-sister dynamic that Maggie and Jake brought to their characters, and he was thankful that Maggie agreed to be a part of it.
Scroll down for more stars who worked with their family on screen:
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Danny DeVito and Lucy DeVito
Danny, who appeared on Broadway for the first time in 2017 starring in Arthur Miller's The Price, made his highly-anticipated return to the renowned theater district in November 2023. In an exciting twist, he is now accompanied by his daughter Lucy, whom he shares with his wife Rhea Perlman, in the captivating play aptly titled I Need That.
The XO, Kitty stars, who portray classmates Yuri and Min Ho, are actually siblings in real life. This revelation came as a surprise to many of their fellow actors on set.
In May 2023, Minyeong Choi, who plays Dae on the Netflix series, shared the story: "Anna [Cathcart, who portrays Kitty] reached out to Sang Heon and me. We had a group chat, and then Sang Heon mentioned, 'Oh, is it okay if my sister joins too?' Naturally, I was intrigued to meet the family members of my cast, but I didn't expect it to happen on the first day or during our initial meeting. I was in the middle of writing something when Sang Heon casually mentioned, 'Actually, she's playing Yuri.' I was completely taken aback!"
Kim disclosed at a subsequent screening for the To All the Boys spinoff that the casting department was equally unaware of the familial bond between the two actors when they were both cast in their respective roles.
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Dylan McDermott and Collette McDermott
The April 2023 episode of FBI: Most Wanted will feature the actor alongside his daughter. Collett, who Dylan shares with ex-wife Shiva Rose, will play a pivotal role in assisting the Fugitive Task Force in solving a case involving two missing coeds.
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Kevin Bacon and Sosie Bacon
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Kim Kardashian, North West and Saint West
The reality star's two eldest children, whom she shares with ex-husband Kanye West, will join her in voicing characters in PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.
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Raymond Ablack and Rebecca Ablack
Raymond and his younger sister, Rebecca, both landed roles in Netflix's Ginny & Georgia. Raymond, known for his previous work on Degrassi, plays the role of coffee shop owner Joe, while Rebecca portrays high school student Padma. Although they didn't have many scenes together in season 1, they had the opportunity to act alongside each other in the following season when Padma was hired as a barista at Joe's Blue Farm Cafe.
Expressing his gratitude, Raymond took to Instagram in March 2021 after the premiere of season 1, acknowledging the incredible odds and feeling fortunate to have shared a dream with his sister.
Dakota and Elle Fanning
Although the sisters have been involved in acting since their early years, their first joint venture was supposed to be The Nightingale, an adaptation of the novel of the same title by Kristin Hannah. The story revolves around two sisters residing in France, whose lives are shattered by the turmoil of World War II. Originally slated to begin filming in 2020, the project had to be put on hold due to the ongoing pandemic caused by the coronavirus. As of now, production is yet to resume.
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Gigi and Bella Hadid
The supermodels have starred in fashion campaigns, magazine shoots and walked runways together including the 2016 and 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion shows.
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Julianne & Derek Hough
Apart from their roles as extras in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, both individuals showcased their talent as professional dancers on the popular show Dancing With the Stars. They even embarked on numerous tours for this renowned competition series.
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Aly and AJ Michalka
The singing duo Aly & AJ, who are sisters, unveiled their debut album, Into the Rush, in 2005. In addition, they co-starred in the Disney film Cow Belles in 2006.
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Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas
The band, the Jonas Brothers, was formed by three brothers in 2005. They then starred in their own Disney series, JONAS, from 2009 to 2010. Additionally, they made appearances on an episode of Hannah Montana, and Kevin and Nick had cameo roles in Joe’s Camp Rock films.
Although the band temporarily disbanded in 2013, they reunited in 2019 and began their comeback with the single "Sucker." Since then, they have been consistently creating music together.
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Paul McCartney and Mary McCartney
Mary, the daughter of the Beatles legend, took on the role of director for the 2022 Disney+ documentary titled If These Walls Could Sing. The documentary delves into the rich history of Abbey Road Studios. Reflecting on her experience, Mary shared with E! News in December 2022 that she gained a plethora of new knowledge during the production process. She admitted that she had not previously been aware of the wide range of music that had been recorded at the iconic studio. Mary emphasized her intention to maintain a tranquil and casual atmosphere during the interviews, particularly when it came to her father. Expressing gratitude, she described the privilege of having her father as a valuable historical resource, sharing insightful details about Abbey Road during her research. Mary expressed great satisfaction with the interview she conducted with her father, praising his contribution to the documentary.
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Kelsey Grammer and Spencer Grammer
The Frasier alum and daughter Spencer, whom he shares with ex-wife Doreen Alderman, star opposite one another for the first time in Lifetime’s The 12 Days of Christmas Eve.
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Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr.
In October 2022, it was announced that the father and son duo were developing a series for CBS.
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Timothy Olyphant and Vivian
The actor's teenage daughter appeared alongside him in FX's series Justified.
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Katey Sagal and Jackson White
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Tim Allen and Elizabeth Allen-Dick
The Disney+ series The Santa Clauses will feature Tim Allen, the star of Toy Story, reprising his role as Scott Calvin, also known as Santa Claus. In September 2022, Allen announced that his real-life daughter will be playing his onscreen child, Sandra, in the show. Reflecting on their experience working together, Allen expressed that it has been an organic and enjoyable collaboration. "You know, it's been such an organic experience and overzealously it's great to work with, there's no question about it,” he shared with E! News. “It was life-changing for me."
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Olivia Wilde and Daisy
The director of Booksmart, Olivia Wilde, cast her 5-year-old daughter, Daisy, whom she shares with her ex, Jason Sudeikis, in her upcoming 2022 film, Don’t Worry Darling. In the movie, which Wilde both directed and acted in, Daisy portrays the character Rosie.
In July 2022, the actor known for his role in Death Proof, along with his youngest son, agreed to participate in a yet-to-be-named Apple TV+ series centered around Godzilla and other Titans monsters. This series will be set in the same universe as the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong.
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Chris Pratt and Patrick Schwarzenegger
The Terminal List in July 2022 saw Chris Pratt, star of Guardians of the Galaxy, joining forces with his brother-in-law. In the project, Pratt portrays James Reece, while his brother-in-law, Patrick, takes on the role of Donny Mitchell. Patrick happens to be the younger brother of Pratt's wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, whom he tied the knot with in 2019.
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Chris Hemsworth, Tristan Hemsworth, Sasha Hemsworth and India Hemsworth
"It had the feel of a unique and enjoyable family adventure. My intention wasn't for them to become child stars and actors. It was simply a distinctive experience that we all shared," the Marvel actor shared with Kevin McCarthy in June 2022, when discussing the choice to involve his children in Thor: Love and Thunder.
During his appearance on The Late Late Show With James Corden in June 2022, the actor clarifies that people falsely assume that his daughter got the job because of him. However, he explains that she auditioned for the role and the director, Deb, had discovered her talent independently. Impressed by her performance, he enthusiastically shared his happiness about the opportunity to work with his daughter. The actor further reflects on the experience, expressing how the on-screen chemistry between them felt incredibly genuine and effortless.
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Rob Lowe and John Lowe
In April 2022, it was announced that the former West Wing actor would be joining forces with his son for their roles in the upcoming Netflix series, Unstable. The two will not only portray a father and son in the comedic show, but also take on the responsibility of serving as executive producers.
John and Rob have collaborated on the Fox drama series, 9-1-1: Lone Star. Rob portrays the role of fire captain Owen Strand, while John contributes as a writer and story editor. Interestingly, Chad Lowe, who happens to be Rob's brother, directed two episodes of the drama in 2021 and 2022. Surprisingly, Chad eventually joined the series as Rob's onscreen brother, making his appearance in a May 2022 episode.
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Oscar Isaac and Michael Benjamin Hernandez
In March 2022, Isaac made a revelation that he enlisted the assistance of his brother Hernandez to portray the contrasting personalities of Steven and Marc in Moon Knight. When speaking to reporters via Entertainment Tonight, Isaac expressed, "It was the closest thing to me there is on Earth." He further elaborated, stating that his brother not only portrayed the characters flawlessly, encompassing their respective accents but also provided the unique advantage of sharing the same DNA. Isaac acknowledged that having someone who not only possesses exceptional acting skills but also a familial connection was genuinely beneficial for his performance.
The siblings previously worked together in 2020’s The Letter Room.
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Judd Apatow, Leslie Mann and Iris Apatow
The casting process for Judd Apatow's new movie, The Bubble, was a breeze as he simply looked to his own family. The film follows a fictional movie crew during the COVID pandemic and Apatow decided to cast his younger daughter, Iris, who went from being an influencer to an actress. This isn't the first time Apatow has directed his wife, Leslie Mann, and daughters Iris and Maude, as they all worked together in the 2012 film This is 40.
The father and son duo are set to play Prince Charles and Prince William on season 5 of The Crown, according to Variety.
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Margaret Qualley and Andie MacDowell
Qualley revealed to E! News in September 2021 that the concept of working alongside her mother was initially her own. She had presented the idea to Margot Robbie, who happens to be one of the producers of the project, and Robbie embraced it wholeheartedly.
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Mark and Michael Consuelos
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Sean and Dylan Penn
The actor and his daughter came together for 2021's drama Flag Day. While Sean portrays counterfeiter John Vogel, Dylan stars as his daughter, Jennifer, in the film.
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Kevin Smith and Harley Quinn Smith
Expressing his utmost joy, the director enthusiastically praised his daughter, who achieved great success as a prominent actress on Freeform's Cruel Summer, in a June 2021 E! News interview. Subsequently, the father-daughter pair divulged details about their collaboration on an undisclosed series.
"It's an incredible gift to collaborate with a family member," Harley expressed. "Our minds align in an amazing way, making it feel like shooting with a mirrored version of yourself. The entire experience has been so enjoyable, and we are currently working on another project together, which, in my opinion, has been the most thrilling one yet. I am eagerly looking forward to revealing
to the world."
The George Lopez alum will star alongside his daughter Mayan in the NBC show Lopez vs. Lopez, which received a comedy pilot commitment in June 2021.
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Stephen Amell and Robbie Amell
The cousins worked together on The Flash and in their film Code 8. The two will be reuniting for the sequel to the sci-fi movie.
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John and Joan Cusack
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Cole Sprouse and Dylan Sprouse
The twins embarked on their separate acting journeys by frequently portraying the same character, notably as Julian McGrath in the 1999 film Big Daddy. Subsequently, they garnered fame through their roles in Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack and Cody as well as its spinoff, The Suite Life on Deck.
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Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
The siblings rose to fame as they portrayed Michelle Tanner on the popular television series Full House. They further collaborated on various cinematic projects, notably It Takes Two and The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley.
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Dave Franco and James Franco
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Hilary Duff and Haylie Duff
Haylie made several guest appearances in Lizzie McGuire, which starred Hilary. The sisters also filmed Material Girls together.
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Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal
The twosome are known for their collaboration in Donnie Darko.
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Angelina Jolie and Jon Voight
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Will Smith and Jaden Smith
Jaden joined his father in The Pursuit of Happyness.
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Luke and Owen Wilson
The Wilson brothers started sharing the screen in Bottle Rocket and would later appear in The Royal Tenenbaums together.
Streep worked with her daughter Gummer in Ricki and the Flash.
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Tia and Tamera Mowry
The twins starred in Sister, Sister together for six seasons. The Mowry sisters also worked on Disney Channel's Twitches and Twitches Too.
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Colin Hanks and Tom Hanks
Colin and Tom shared the screen in The Great Buck Howard.
Casey and Ben Affleck
The Affleck brothers can be seen in Good Will Hunting. Casey was later cast in his brother's directorial debut film, Gone Baby Gone.
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Matt, Joey and Andrew Lawrence
The sibling group played brothers in Brotherly Love. Matthew and Andrew later appeared in their brother's former show Melissa and Joey.
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