Hollywood has been bringing dreams to life on the silver screen for over a century. During that time it has developed a number of dynastic families that make the saying “acting runs in the blood” almost seem true.
While this is far from a complete list of all the powerhouse families in Tinsel Town, here are a few that have spanned at least three generations.
The Arquette family
Rosanna, Patricia and David are A-list actors from film and television but the Arquette family’s Hollywood acting roots can be traced back to their grandfather Cliff. He was a famous actor and comedian who was perhaps best known for his alter-ego Charley Weaver. His son Lewis followed him into the entertainment industry and his children as well including Richmond and Alexis.
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The Barrymore/Drew family
The Barrymore dynasty traces its roots back at least to theatrical stages of London in the mid-1800s, according to My Heritage it goes back even further, 400 years.
The acting couple Maurice Barrymore, whose real name was Herbert Arthur Chamberlayne Blythe, and wife Georgiana Emma Drew had three children: Lionel, Ethel, and John who all went on to become renowned actors.
John’s son John Barrymore Jr and his son’s daughter Drew Barrymore, have carried on the family’s acting torch both earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Since 1911, members of the Barrymore family have appeared in over 600 films.
The Coppola family
Oscar winning director Francis Ford Coppola is the son of award winning composer Carmine and lyrist Italia. His surviving children Roman and Sofia are both directors as well as his granddaughter Gia, daughter of his son Gian-Carlo who passed away in 1986 at the age of 22.
Francis’ sister, Talia Shire, rose to fame as Connie Corleone in The Godfather and Adrian Balboa in the Rocky movies. Her son Jason Schwartzman and her and Francis’ nephew Nicolas Cage have also become prominent Hollywood actors.
The Fonda family
The Fonda family dynasty kicked off with award-winning actor Henry Fonda. His two kids with wife Frances Ford Seymour, Jane and Peter, went on to become A-list actors as well as their children Troy Garity and Bridget Fonda. Peter’s son Justin Fonda and Jane’s daughter Vanessa Vadim both entered the film industry as well, but from behind the camera.
The Huston family
Patriarch Walter Huston is perhaps best known for his performance in Treasure of the Sierra Madre that his son John Huston directed, which along with many other films he directed are considered Hollywood classics. John’s children Anjelica and Danny also carried on the family acting and directing business.
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