17 Unexpected Times When Hollywood Casts Real-Life Celebrity Family Members As Co-Stars

Margot Nolan

In many Hollywood movies, the idea of casting the same family members has been quite popular. Why do many film productions do this? Well, there are many reasons. First, the actor/actress is excellent in what they do. And second, the real relationship dynamic of two family members creates a deeper bond between the characters, making the film one step higher in quality. Who wouldn’t take such a chance?
Take Carrie Fisher, for example. She is known for her role as Princess Leila, one of the main protagonists, in the Star War Franchise. Nobody would have expected that her daughter, Billie Lourd, was also cast in the sequel trilogy. Seeing both of them on screen was pure joy for many Star War fans, myself included.
To know more about other celebrity family members being cast in the same movies, scroll down below and see for yourself. Also, pick your favorite films while you’re at it.

#1 Meryl Streep and Mamie Gummer

Source: Brent N. Clarke / FilmMagic / Getty Images

Ricki and the Flash starred Meryl Streep and her oldest daughter as mother and daughter (2015).

Source: Sony Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection


#2 Annie Starke and Glenn Close

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Annie portrayed a chocolate store waiter, while Glenn played the titular guy, in Albert Nobbs (2011).

Source: Entertainment One


#3 Angelina Jolie and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt

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Vivienne made her cinematic debut as little Aurora in Maleficent (2014), alongside her mother.

Source: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures


#4 Billie Lourd and Carrie Fisher

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Billie played Lieutenant Kaydel Ko Connix in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), while Carrie played Princess Leia in Carrie's renowned role as Princess Leia.

Source: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures


#5 Vanessa Redgrave and Natasha Richardson

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Vanessa and Natasha, who played mother and daughter in Evening, appeared with Meryl and Mamie.

Source: Focus Features / Courtesy Everett Collection


#6 Jada Pinkett Smith and Willow Smith

Source: Rochelle Brodin / Getty Images for Haute Living

Willow portrayed young Gloria the hippo in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008), and Jada voiced her mature version in the film.

Source: Paramount Pictures


#7 Demi Moore and Rumer Willis

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In the 1996 film Striptease, Demi played Erin Grant, while Rumer, then seven years old, played her daughter, Angela.

Source: Comedy Partners / Courtesy Everett Collection


#8 Leslie Mann and her daughters Iris and Maude Apatow

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In the film Knocked Up (2007), directed by their father/her husband, Judd Apatow, Iris and Maude played Leslie's kids.

Source: Universal / Courtesy Everett Collection


#9 Gwyneth Paltrow and Blythe Danner

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The two actresses portrayed mother and daughter respectively in Sylvia (2003).

Source: Focus Films / Courtesy Everett Collection


#10 Melanie Griffith and Dakota Johnson

Source: Vivien Killilea / Getty Images for Netflix

Dakota made her cinematic debut in Crazy in Alabama (1999), in which the two co-starred. Stella Banderas, Dakota's half-sister, also appeared in the film.

Source: Columbia Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection


#11 Melanie Griffith and Tippi Hedren

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They also acted alongside each other in Roar (1981).

Source: AMERICAN FILMWORKS / Album / Alamy


#12 Susan Sarandon and Eva Amurri

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They've appeared in a number of films together, frequently as mother and daughter, such as The Banger Sisters (2002).

Source: Fox Searchlight / Courtesy Everett Collection


#13 Diane Ladd and Laura Dern

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This magical duo has been on many TV and in films together, including Wild at Heart (1990)...

Source: Samuel Goldwyn Films / Courtesy Everett Collection


#14 Schuyler Fisk and Sissy Spacek

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Schuyler appeared in Sissy's movie Trading Mom (1994) when she was little.

Source: Trimark Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection


#15 Mia Farrow and Maureen O'Sullivan

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Maureen played Mia's mother in Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), in which they co-starred.

Source: Orion Pictures Corp / Courtesy Everett Collection


#16 Sosie Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick

Source: Jason Laveris / FilmMagic / Getty Images

In Loverboy (2005), Sosie played a younger version of her mother's role. And Travis, Sosie's real-life brother, appeared in the film as her brother.

Source: Think Film / Courtesy Everett Collection


#17 Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland

Source: Regan / Daily Express / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

In the Good Old Summertime (1949), Liza made an appearance with her renowned mother, Judy.

Source: Loew's, Inc. / Courtesy Everett Collection