Oftentimes, famous Hollywood co-stars describe their time on set to “being with family,” but while that sentiment doesn’t necessarily ring true most of the time, some major motion picture projects are, indeed, a family affair. Many of the world’s biggest actors have actually teamed up with their real life family members for the big and small screen.
Whether it be Gwyneth Paltrow and Blythe Danner teaming up to play a mother and daughter duo in Sylvia, or Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal taking on the roles of brother and sister in cult classic Donnie Darko, sometimes the entertainment world mixes in a little bit of reality to their productions.
Below, 12 onscreen family members who are actually related in real life.
Andie MacDowell & Margaret Qualley
While the mother-daughter pair haven’t yet joined forces onscreen, they have signed on to star alongside one another in Netflix’s upcoming dramedy series Maid. According to Entertainment Weekly, MacDowell will play Qualley’s onscreen mother in the series, making it their first-ever pairing.
Bruce & Rumer Willis
In 2005 film Hostage, Bruce Willis played Police Chief Jeff Talley alongside daughter Rumer Willis, who took on the role of his onscreen daughter Amanda Talley.
Angelina Jolie & Jon Voight
In 2001 while starring as Lara Croft, Angelina Jolie worked with her father Jon Voight, who played the role of Lord Richard Croft in the mega-hit.
Jake & Maggie Gyllenhaal
In cult classic Donnie Darko, real life siblings Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal starred alongside one another, with Jake taking on the role of the film’s titular character, Donnie, while Maggie played his older sister Elizabeth.
Will & Jaden Smith
In his adorable 2006 acting debut, a young Jaden Smith played the role of his famous dad’s son in The Pursuit of Happynes.
Meryl Streep & Mamie Gummer
Mamie Gummer appeared alongside famous mum Meryl Streep in 2015’s musical dramedy Ricki and the Flash. The two played mother-daughter pair Ricki and Julie.
Leslie Mann & Maude Apatow
While she may be a Hollywood heavyweight in her own right after appearing in Euphoria, way back in 2007 Maude Apatow starred alongside her mum Leslie Mann as her onscreen daughter. Her younger sister Iris also made an appearance, while her dad Judd Apatow both wrote and directed the comedy.
Gwyneth Paltrow & Blythe Danner
Gwyneth Paltrow and Blythe Danner made a onscreen mother-daughter appearance in 2003, with the Goop founder playing Sylvia Plath and her famous mum taking on the role of Aurelia Plath in Sylvia.
Angelina Jolie & Vivienne Jolie-Pitt
Angelina Jolie and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt starred together in 2014’s Maleficent, when her daughter was just four-years-old.
Dakota & Elle Fanning
While Elle Fanning has previously taken on the role as sister Dakota Fanning’s younger characters in films such as I Am Sam, the real life sisters will appear for the first time ever onscreen in the adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s best-selling novel, The Nightingale.
Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen
The Olsen twins made acting as onscreen sisters their entire career, starring in several series and movies which featured them as twin sisters: Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, How the West Was Fun, Holiday In The Sun and Our Lips Are Sealed (just the scratch the surface). The pair have since retired from acting and are now the creative minds behind fashion house, The Row.
Dan & Eugene Levy
Schitt’s Creek has been one of 2020’s breakout series, making history at the Emmy Awards winning a straight sweep through the categories. But what you might not know about the mega-series is that it stars real life father and son pair Eugene and Dan Levy, who play the hilarious Johnny and David Rose onscreen.
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