Tom Hanks inspired by Liv Tyler ?

Earlier today, Chelsea Clinton proved what having friends in high places can do for your career when it was announced that she’s joining NBC’s Nightly News as a “special correspondent,” which is a nice way of saying “related to a former president correspondent.”

Keep It In The Family: 9 Instances Of Hollywood Nepotism

Nepotism has long been the way in the business of show. Children of actors and other famous people often get first crack at auditions, or get walked into a role with the backing of their parents or famous friends of the family. In fact, you’d be surprised at the number of today’s stars that come from show business families. Not Channing Tatum though. I’m really not sure how he broke through the hard way.

Gwyneth Paltrow

The daughter of director Bruce Paltrow and actress Blythe Danner, Gwyneth originally studied Art History at the University of California. She then realized, “Hey, what the f*ck am I doing?” and dropped out. She was then cast in her first notable role in Hook. Ah, the ol’ dropping out of college and immediately being discovered by Spielberg. It’s a story as old as time itself.

Sofia Coppola

At first, Sofia Coppola came off as the lucky benefactor of nepotism when her famous father cast her in a lead role in The Godfather III. However, her performance sucked worse than terrible, which caused a lot of backlash from critics and audiences. She then refocused her efforts behind the camera to become one of the more noteworthy arthouse directors working today. Her films are so well-received that she may have even broken through without the family backing.

Colin Hanks

Colin Hanks got his first taste of Hollywood when he was cast as a page in the Tom Hanks-directed That Thing You Do! Being that close to and seeing the success of fellow celebrity kid Liv Tyler must have inspired him, as he’s worked pretty consistently since college. He can currently be seen doing creepy religious stuff on the current season of Dexter.

Keep It In The Family: 9 Instances Of Hollywood Nepotism

Monday, November 14 by Wookie Johnson

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Tori Spelling

Tori Spelling hit the lottery. As the daughter of mega-producer Aaron Spelling, she spent her adolescence playing roles on her dad’s various programs like The Love Boat, Vega$, and Matt Houston. She broke through in her teens with a lead role in Beverly Hills 90210. Her portrayal of Donna Martin quickly won fans over, and caused them to look past the fact she looks like her dad with fake boobs.

Rumer Willis

Demi Moore has been putting her daughter Rumer before cameras from the second she was born. Literally. Moore hired a camera crew to video tape her delivering her oldest child. Since those early moments, she’s gone on to play a variety roles – getting her start at playing the daughter of both her parents on film. She played Demi Moore’s daughter in Stripteaseand Bruce Willis’s daughter in Hostage. Now all she needs to do is play Ashton Kutcher’s stepdaughter in a movie where a stepdad sleeps with girls his stepdaughter’s age.

The Arquettes

The children of actor Lewis Arquette and actress Brenda Denaut have enjoyed long careers in the spotlight. David, Rosanna, Patricia, Alexis, and Richmond are known for their work in the Scream films, Medium,Pulp Fiction, Fight Club, and The Bride of Chucky. I think they’ve got the Baldwins beat, here.

Keep It In The Family: 9 Instances Of Hollywood Nepotism

Monday, November 14 by Wookie Johnson

NEXTPREV

Jaden Smith

Hollywood blockbusters faced a dilemma when they realized that there was only one Will Smith to go around. And sometimes he’s busy making dramas like Seven Pounds. Thus, it was decided that a miniature Will Smith must be created. We will foster him through his formative years and one day hold him on our shoulders as the most important actor ever.

Bryce Dallas Howard

Bryce Dallas Howard kicked around her dad Ron’s film sets for awhile, snagging roles as an extra here and there. She then decided to drop the Howard from her name as she pursued an education in the performing arts. After studying drama at th Stella Adler Conservatory and NYU’s Tisch School, Howard wisely re-Howarded her name and went on to win a breakthrough role in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village. The movie sucked but Howard did a good job of keeping it grounded.

Zooey Deschanel

The youngest daughter in a showbizz family, Zooey Deschanel has eclipsed her famous parents and sister. Her father, Caleb, is most well-known as the cinematographer for The Passion of the Christ. Her mother, Mary Jo, starred on Twin Peaks as the wheelchair-bound Eileen Hayward. And her sister Emily is Bones on the show Bones. I guess that’s an okay accomplishment, too.