Famous Hollywood Families

A Brief Look at Three Renowned Acting Legacies

Aug 4, 2009 Elvira Nieto

What is it about certain families that make them exceptional? Whether by genes or nepotism, many famous Hollywood names got their "in" through their famous relatives.

What turns the ordinary person into an extraordinary one? Is it that superior genetics are involved; that intelligence, talent and beauty are inherited? Or, in the case of entertainers, could it be that once mom, dad, aunt, or uncle has their foot in the door, they can easily kick it open for the rest of their clan? Likely, a combination of the two is what turns a Hollywood family into a Hollywood legacy.

The Barrymore Legacy

Barrymore is a name that has been a staple in Hollywood dating back to the silent film era. John Barrymore (1882 – 1942), nicknamed “The Great Profile” was touted as the greatest actor of his generation. Initially gaining notoriety as a Shakespearean stage actor, Barrymore made his film debut in 1912 under the pseudonym Jack Barrymore. Barrymore is best remembered for his portrayal of the title characters in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920), Sherlock Holmes (1922), Don Juan (1926).

Ethel Barrymore

Ethel Barrymore (1879 – 1959) sister of John and Lionel was also a renowned stage actress. Ethel won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the1944 film None but the Lonely Heart.

Lionel Barrymore

Lionel Barrymore (1878 – 1954), older brother to John, made his film debut four years before his younger brother did. Lionel won an Academy Award for the early talkie A Free Soul (1931), but is probably better remembered for playing the grouchy Mr. Potter in Frank Capra’s It's A Wonderful Life (1946).

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore (1975) made her film debut at the age of 5 and shot to national notoriety two years later as Gertie in Steven Spielberg’s E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. Drew is both a bankable actress and producer who continues to expand the Barrymore legacy.

Other acting Barrymore’s include John Drew Barrymore (1932 – 2004), the son of John Barrymore and father of Drew Barrymore; and John Blyth Barrymore (1954) son of John Drew Barrymore, half brother of Drew.

The Fonda Family

Henry Fonda (1905-1983), the patriarch of the Fonda family, began his career on stage, making his mark on Broadway before his 1935 Hollywood film debut. Remembered for his straight-forward, subtle delivery, Fonda quickly made a name for himself in The Grapes of Wrath (1940), The Ox-Bow Incident (1943) and 12 Angry Men (1957). Fonda won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Norman Thayer opposite his daughter Jane in On Golden Pond (1981).

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda (1937), daughter of Henry, made her film debut in 1960 with Tall Story. She’s been nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning two – the first for Klute 1971 and the second for Coming Home (1978). Jane is an author, fitness guru and political activist.

Peter Fonda

Peter Fonda (1940), son of Henry brother of Jane made his film debut in 1963’s Tammy and the Doctor, but is probably best remembered for his Oscar nominated role opposite Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson in Easy Rider (1968) which Fonda also co-wrote.

Other acting Fonda’s include Bridget Fonda (1964), daughter of Peter who made her film debut in 1982’s Partners. Troy Garity (1973), son of Jane Fonda, made his film debut along side his mother and grandfather in On Golden Pond (1981).

The Coppola Clan

The Coppola family is rooted in music. Carmine Coppola (1910-1991) was a composer, editor, musical director, and songwriter. The Julliard educated musician and composer won a number of awards including the Academy Award and Golden Globe. Carmine’s brother, Anton (1917), is an opera conductor and composer.

Francis Ford Coppola

Francis Ford Coppola (1939), son of Carmine, is an Academy Award winning director, producer and screenwriter. Best known for The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now, Coppola’s first film was Dementia 13 (1963), which he also wrote.

Talia Shire

Talia Shire (1946), daughter of Carmine and younger sister of Francis, made her film debut in The Wild Racers (1968), but is probably best known for her role as Connie in The Godfather trilogy and as Adrianne is the Rocky movies.

Nicholas Cage

Nicholas Cage (1964), born Nicholas Kim Coppola, is the son of August Coppola, nephew of Francis Ford Coppola and Talia Shire. Cage took his stage name in an attempt to make his own way in Hollywood (although four of his first 10 films were directed by his uncle). His first credited film was Best of Times (1981). Cage is known for playing somewhat quirky, off beat bad boys. He won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a suicidal alcoholic in Leaving Las Vegas (1995).

Sophia Coppola

Academy Award winning screenwriter and director Sophia Coppola (1971) is the youngest daughter of Francis Ford Coppola. Though an actress from an early age, Sophia has since gone behind the camera to much critical acclaim. Her first three directorial efforts were Lick the Star (1998), The Virgin Suicides (1999) and Lost in Translation (2003).

Other acting/directing Coppola’s include director Roman Coppola (1965), son of Francis Ford, brother of Sophia. Actor Jason Schwartzman (1980), son of Talia Shire, best know for Rushmore. Musician and actor Robert Carmine (1982), son of Talia Shire, can be seen in two of cousin Sophia’s films Lick the Star and The Virgin Suicides.

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John Barrymore

John, Ethel and Lionel Barrymore

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