A famous family or a fortune waiting in the bank doesn’t guarantee success. But it does open a lot of doors most people never get close to.
That’s why it feels so out of touch when some celebrities insist they’re self-made, even though their last names practically opened Hollywood’s gates. No one’s saying they didn’t hustle, just that they weren’t exactly starting from scratch.
These are the ones the internet had a few questions for. Mainly, about who really built their empires.
#1 Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis entered the entertainment industry with significant advantages as the daughter of established actors Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis. While acknowledging her privileged background, she has built her own extensive and acclaimed acting career over several decades. Curtis has achieved considerable success and recognition, including winning an Academy Award.
Image credits: marwar-junction
#2 Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore belongs to a prominent acting dynasty with roots dating back to the 19th century, essentially making her Hollywood royalty from birth. Adding to her connections, famed director Steven Spielberg is her godfather. Despite this privileged start in the entertainment industry, Barrymore has been open about facing challenges and is often perceived as relatable.
Image credits: netflix
#3 Maggie And Jake Gyllenhaal
Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal are siblings whose parents work in the film industry as a screenwriter and director, respectively. Growing up in this environment provided them with inherent exposure and connections within Hollywood from a young age. While both have gone on to build successful and acclaimed acting careers based on their talent, their family background is an undeniable stepping stone to success.
Image credits: mgyllenhaal
#4 Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner was controversially labeled the "youngest self-made billionaire" by Forbes in 2019, a title later rescinded. Critics argued that her success with Kylie Cosmetics heavily relied on her pre-existing fame from her family's reality show and massive social media following, rather than being built entirely independently. While she funded the company herself, the capital originated from opportunities related to her established public profile.
Image credits: kyliejenner
#5 Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton has described herself as "self-made," despite being heir to the Hilton hotel fortune. She justified this claim in an interview with Refinery29, stating, "I work harder and travel more than any CEO I'm friends with." While acknowledging her success in building her own brand, critics often point out that her family name and wealth provided significant initial advantages.
Image credits: parishilton
#6 Hailey Bieber
Hailey Bieber has stated she wants her success to be independent of her famous Baldwin family name. However, critics often point out that belonging to such a prominent entertainment family likely provided her with significant advantages, particularly in launching her modeling career. Referring to the industry as her "family business" highlights the inherent connections she possesses.
Image credits: haileybieber
#7 Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus began her career with advantages due to her father, country star Billy Ray Cyrus, which included her role on the Disney Channel. While acknowledging her start involved nepotism, many view her subsequent achievements as having established her own distinct and significant superstardom. She has arguably become even more famous than her father, moving beyond her initial connections.
Image credits: mileycyrus
#8 Robert Downey Jr
Robert Downey Jr. had early exposure to the entertainment industry through his family connections, as his father was an avant-garde filmmaker and his uncle wrote for Saturday Night Live. While his current success is widely acknowledged, these relationships are often seen as having provided him with initial access and advantages in Hollywood.
Image credits: robertdowneyjr
#9 Lourdes Leon
Lourdes Leon, daughter of Madonna, has acknowledged her "undeniable privilege" while also stating she is "not like other nepo babies" in an interview with The Cut. While she mentioned paying her own college tuition, critics noted this money came from a clothing line she co-launched with Madonna at age thirteen.
Image credits: lourdesleon
#10 Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller, son of comedians Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, grew up with significant exposure to the entertainment industry due to his parents' careers. He has commented on nepotism, suggesting Hollywood operates as a meritocracy and that everyone "has their path," statements that drew attention given his own background.
Image credits: universalstudios
#11 Bella And Gigi Hadid
Bella and Gigi Hadid, daughters of former model and reality TV star Yolanda Hadid and real estate developer Mohamed Hadid, have achieved significant success as models. Their privileged upbringing and their mother's established presence and connections within the fashion industry are often highlighted as providing them substantial advantages early in their careers. While undeniably successful now, their entry into the modeling world was facilitated by this background.
Image credits: bellahadid
#12 Zoë Kravitz
Zoë Kravitz is the daughter of actress Lisa Bonet and musician Lenny Kravitz, a lineage often associated with her distinct public persona and perceived confidence. Unlike some with famous parents, Kravitz openly acknowledges her well-known family background.
Image credits: zoeisabellakravitz
#13 Jack Quaid
Jack Quaid was born to actors Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, and has gained prominence through his role in the television series The Boys. While his family background provided inherent industry connections, his notable role in the dark superhero satire represents a distinct path compared to his parents' famous film careers.
Image credits: jack_quaid
#14 Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian has defended her family as "self-made," despite coming from a privileged background with a famous lawyer father and significant connections. While she told Refinery29 they didn't depend on their parents financially, critics note that their inherited wealth and network provided crucial advantages.
Image credits: kimkardashian
#15 Brooklyn Peltz Beckham
Brooklyn Beckham, son of Victoria and David Beckham, has pursued a career as a chef, primarily showcasing basic recipes online. Critics often point to his lack of professional culinary training and suggest his opportunities stem significantly from his famous family background and marriage into a wealthy family. His advice to "just follow your passion" is frequently contrasted with the substantial privileges afforded by his upbringing and connections.
Image credits: brooklynpeltzbeckham
#16 Ava Phillipe
Ava Phillippe, daughter of actors Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, has begun working in the fashion industry, collaborating with major brands. Her resemblance to her famous mother and her parents' established Hollywood careers are often noted as significant factors providing her with visibility and opportunities.
Image credits: avaphillippe
#17 Emma Roberts
Actress Emma Roberts has built a career distinct from her famous aunt, Julia Roberts, often focusing on different genres like horror and teen dramas. Despite forging her own niche, her prominent family name has undoubtedly proven to be helpful.
Image credits: emmaroberts
#18 Sofia Richie - Grainge
Sofia Richie, daughter of singer Lionel Richie and sister of Nicole Richie, leveraged significant family connections when beginning her modeling career. While recently gaining attention for her personal style and marriage to music executive Elliot Grainge, her path is often viewed through the lens of her famous lineage.
Image credits: sofiagrainge
#19 Lily-Rose Depp
Lily-Rose Depp, whose parents are Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, spoke to Vogue Australia about needing to "work twice as hard" and roles not just "landing on my doorstep." Observers often note that her prominent family background and early film roles involving her father provided significant initial opportunities and connections within the entertainment industry.
Image credits: lilyrose_depp
#20 Phoebe Dynevor
Phoebe Dynevor's parents are well-established figures in British television; her mother is a long-time soap opera star and her father is a screenwriter. Dynevor began acting as a child, gaining experience before her notable role in Bridgerton.
Image credits: phoebedynevor
#21 Gracie Abrams
Gracie Abrams, daughter of filmmaker J.J. Abrams, is pursuing a career in music, gaining recognition through platforms like TikTok and earning a Grammy nomination. While her focus is different from her father's work in film, his prominent position in the entertainment industry is often considered a big help during her fledgling years.
Image credits: gracieabrams
#22 Riley Keough
Riley Keough, granddaughter of Elvis Presley, has established herself as a successful actress, including the leading role in Daisy Jones and the Six. While her acting talent is acknowledged, her heritage as music royalty through the Presley family name is a legacy that money can't buy.
Image credits: rileykeough
#23 Lily Collins
Actress Lily Collins, recognized for roles like Emily in Paris, has forged her own way in Hollywood. She is also the daughter of renowned musician Phil Collins, a connection granting her significant name recognition.
Image credits: lilyjcollins
#24 Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson comes from a prominent acting family, with parents Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, and grandmother Tippi Hedren. Growing up surrounded by the industry provided her with inherent exposure before she achieved widespread recognition, notably through her role in the Fifty Shades franchise.
Image credits: pietroluca99
#25 Sadie And Sunny Sandler
Sadie and Sunny Sandler, daughters of actor Adam Sandler, frequently feature in movies produced by his company, Happy Madison Productions. Often appearing alongside their mother Jackie Sandler as well, their recurring roles demonstrate consistent family participation in their father's film projects.
Image credits: Warner Bros
#26 Ben Platt
Ben Platt, son of prominent film producer Marc Platt (known for films like Legally Blonde and La La Land), has faced questions regarding nepotism and career advantages. His father's influential position in Hollywood is often mentioned when discussing his access to the industry. Platt has shown sensitivity to the topic, notably ending an interview with Rolling Stone when the subject was raised.
Image credits: bensplatt
#27 Natasha Bure
Natasha Bure, daughter of actress Candace Cameron Bure, has addressed assumptions that her career benefits from nepotism, telling Today that she works hard "like everyone else." However, critics often point to her multiple acting roles alongside her mother as evidence of significant advantages.
Image credits: natashabure
#28 Zoey Deutch
Zoey Deutch, daughter of actress/director Lea Thompson and director Howard Deutch, grew up deeply immersed in the film industry, with her parents even directing and producing projects she starred in.
Image credits: zoeydeutch
#29 Kaia Gerber
Kaia Gerber, daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford, began her modeling career at a young age, notably working with Versace at ten. She has acknowledged the advantages her lineage provides, admitting to Elle US that "having Cindy Crawford as my mom definitely helped" her enter the industry.
Image credits: kaiagerber
#30 Willow And Jaden Smith
Willow and Jaden Smith, children of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, entered the entertainment industry at young ages, leveraging their parents' connections. Jaden began acting alongside his father, while Willow launched a music career early on, and both have explored multiple creative fields including fashion.
Image credits: willowsmith
