This idea came from the Christian Brando thread, where discussion turned to a famous persons child being famous simply because they were born into it. But, is that enough?

How many famous children actually walked through that open door to fame and went on to bigger fame?

Here's some examples in my opinion:

As I mentioned in the other thread, Michael Douglas has become famous for his producing and acting - garnering an Academy Award for producing and fame for his talents in front of the camera.

Enrique Iglesias has out-famed his father Julio in the recording business, crossing over to America waaay bigger than his father had only dreamed of.

Sadly - Nicole Richie has outfamed her father simply by filming a reality tv show with a hotel whore heiress. Poor Lionel Richie has even said he's been introduced as "Nicole Richie's dad".

Sheila E. became more famous than her father, Pete Escovedo.

Hannah Montana's Miley Cyruss is waaaaay more famous than her daddy, Billy Ray Cyrus of Achey Breaky Heart fame.

Director/actor Rob Reiner has acheived a higher degree of fame than his father Carl Reiner - although that might be a stretch...

Of course this is only my opinion, and I may be wrong... but, can you name more?

Up for debate in many cases, but

Carrie Fisher--Eddie Fisher & Debbie Reynolds
Jane Fonda--Henry Fonda
Ben Stiller--Jerry Stiller
Gwyneth Paltrow--Blythe Danner
Lenny Kravitz--Roxy Roker
Mya Rudolph--Minnie Ripperton
Sean Lennon--just kidding!

Leeann Rhymes--Busta Rhymes

NDRU said:

LOL!

Otherwise, great additions!

I forgot about Carrie Fisher with the whole Star Wars fame. And, not too many people know that Mya Rudolph is Minnie Ripperton's daughter. Ben Stiller is also the son of Anne Meara, comediane/actress/writer.

Illustrator said:

Flowerz said:

uh... who are his famous folks?

June7 said:

his father.. that's how he got started .. originally ..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Trump

i saw a huge write up in newspaper ... of the whole family .. the father is the one who started the whole family with the money ..
[Edited 1/27/08 15:24pm]

Flowerz said:

Yeah, but he wasn't famous... this is for famous folks of children who've outshined them. For example, if Trumps kids Ivana and the son (name?) do something to outshine The Donald, then they would qualify. But, I don't see that comin'.

June7 said:

oh .. i gotcha'

Angelina Jolie, daughter of Jon Voight

Mariska Hargitay (law and order) - jayne mansfield
liza minelli- judy garland

John Huston, son of Walter Huston.
I can't say that Angelica Huston attained the celebrity status of her father.

Drew Barrymore, i dont remember her parent's names

Flowerz said:

yeah Keifer is fully out shining his dad these days, and whats better is that Keifer NEVER relied on his dad to get him anywhere, he did it all himself!

Kate Hudson- daughter of Goldie Hawn and musician Bill Hudson

Prince is much more famous than his dad ever was. Duh!

but Ps dad was never really a "star"

kcwm said:

Unless you consider local celebrity as belonging somewhere on the fame scale. I hear John L. was quite well known around Minneapolis in his day.

Alan Alda

abierman said:

That would be open to debate.
I certainly wouldnt say that she was anywhere near as good an actor as her father.
Imo todays need for celebrity gossip has added to her fame and the fact that Brad Pitt dumped Jennifer Anniston for her and she adopts kids and his now pregnant with twins.Media frenzy just wasnt the same when Jon Voight was younger.
[Edited 1/28/08 5:10am]

cuba gooding jr--dad Cuba Gooding Sr.was the lead singer of the main ingredient. Everybody Plays the fool

Robin Thicke is getting there

Liv Tyler - Steven Tyler (of Aerosmith) and Bebe Buell (1970's Playboy Playmate)
Barry Bonds - Bobby Bonds
Whitney Houston - Cissy Houston
George Clooney - Nick Clooney (famed Cincinnati TV anchor) (and nephew of famed singer Rosemary Clooney)
Kobe Bryant - Jellybean Bryant

I wouldn't say that they have eclipsed their parent's fame so much as made their own way towards fame:

Ashley Judd - Naomi Judd
Stella McCartney - Paul McCartney

June7 said:

It's an ok list except for the Henry Fonda thing.

muirdo said:

Hello, she won an oscar before she met Billy Bob Thornton, let alone Brad Pitt.....

abierman said:

And your point?
Jon Voight has won an Oscar too.

NDRU said:

[Edited 1/28/08 7:08am]

muirdo said:

My point is that she is famous for being an actress in the first place aside from all the stuff that you've mentioned (Pitt, Anniston, Thornton, adopting kids, etc.....). I do believe that Jolie is a household name in acting, regardless of the media-frenzy you are talking about.....and she's got great tits, lips & ass!

Yes, Voight has won too.....only just a bit later in his carreer than Jolie did. I wouldn't be surprised if Jolie will win one again, sometime in het carreer!