Famous Parents of Today's Celebrities

While many of today's celebrities' parents use their children's fame to make a name for themselves, it used to be the other way around. Times have changed since the days when you had to be born into Hollywood stardom. Many of today's superstars got a leg up from their parents. Here is a short list of celebs with famous parents you may not have known about.

Famous parents of Anderson Cooper: Gloria Vanderbilt & Wyatt Cooper
If you are talking about Hollywood royalty, CNN reporter Anderson Cooper's name should be tossed in the ring. As the daughter of designer Gloria Vanderbilt and heir to the vast family railroad fortune, Cooper is actually not too far removed from the English royal family. His mother is a cousin of the British Dukes of Marlborough. Gloria Vanderbilt's life story has been told in TV movies more than once and she has had more than a handful of acting parts as well. Anderson Cooper's father Wyatt had a short career on television in the 1950's and 60's.

Gloria Vanderbilt bio
Wyatt Cooper bio

Famous parents of Charlie Sheen & Emilio, Rene and Ramone Estevez: Martin & Janet Sheen
Martin Sheen paved the way for his four children in Hollywood. Though he is not often credited, he also helped pave the way for other Hispanic actors. Born Ramon Antonio Gerard Estevez in Ohio, he changed his name to the more Hollywood friendly Sheen. Charlie took his father's stage name, while the other children are now able to work under the family name of Estevez. Both Ramone and Rene worked with Martin on the hit series "The West Wing". Emilio Estevez made his biggest movie hits in the early 80's as part of the Hollywood brat pack. Emilio was also honored for his production of the movie "Bobby" based on Robert Kennedy and starring his father. Martin Sheen is still acting in movies, with three currently in production.

Martin Sheen bio
Janet Sheen bio

Famous parents of Oliver & Kate Hudson: Goldie Hawn & Bill Hudson
Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson were a bit of a goofy couple for celebrity watchers of the 70's. Hawn was just getting established as the silly comedian from the hit show "Laugh-In" and some small movie roles. Bill was working the comedy circuit with his brothers as The Hudson Brothers. The marriage was short lived at only three years, but produced two children that have taken Hollywood by storm. Kate Hudson has made her mark in movies, while Oliver Hudson has a starring role in the sitcom "Rules of Engagement". Goldie Hawn has one project in production, "Ashes to Ashes" and does some cameos on TV. Bill Hudson was last seen in several episodes of "Doogie Howser" in the 80's and early 90's.

Goldie Hawn bio
Bill Hudson bio

Famous parents of Matthew Broderick: James & Patricia Broderick
Matthew Broderick is known for his boyish charm and looks, but we may have never seen it had it not been for his actor father James Broderick. Though he had a long and illustrious career in both movies and television, James Broderick will likely best be remembered as the father on the hit TV series "Family" from 1976-1980. Matthew started his acting career on an episode of "Lou Grant" in 1981. His father died the following year, missing his sons rise to meteoric fame. Patricia Broderick is a playwright, screenwriter, painter and producer.

James Broderick bio
Patricia Broderick bio

Famous parents of Freddie Prinze Jr.: Freddie Prinze & Katherine Elaine Cochrane-Prinze
What could have been one of the most tragic of Hollywood stories has become one of victory. Freddie Prinze had an amazing rise to stardom in the early 70's as a comedian and landed the first Latino role in his own prime time sitcom "Chico and the Man". Fame proved too much to handle for the young comedian. He succumbed to drug use and ultimately committed suicide at the age of 22, after performing at then President Jimmy Carter's inaugural ball. Freddie Prinze Jr. has not only pushed past any curtain hanging over his budding career, he has proven himself to be one of America's most talented young actors. Prinze has just finished a stint on the top show in the US, playing Cole Ortiz in "24".

Freddie Prinze bio
Kathy Prinze bio

Famous parents of Timothy Hutton: Jim Hutton & Maryline Adams
Jim Hutton was a major television star in the 1960's and 70's, most notably as "Ellery Queen" and in Disney TV movies. He died of liver cancer in June of 1979, just before son Timothy Hutton won his first Oscar for "Ordinary People". Timothy gave a tearful acceptance speech thanking his father and wishing he could have seen his success. Jim Hutton worked right up until he died with his last role as Leonard Dean in "Butterflies". Son Timothy has become a world class actor. His most current role is as Nathan Ford in "Leverage".

Jim Hutton bio

Famous parents of Marishka Hargitay: Mickey Hargitay & Jayne Mansfield
Marishka Hargitay's mother, Jayne Mansfield, was one of the original pin up girls of the 50's and 60's. Make no mistake, Mansfield was not just a pretty face. She was a highly trained actress. Alas she was not a gifted actress though, and her career wained rather quickly. Jayne Mansfield was killed in an auto accident in 1967. Mickey Hargitay has also been in the acting industry since the 1950's. Playing small television roles he has had a steady career. Most recently he appeared on daughter Marishka Hargitay's Emmy winning TV series "Law & Order: SVU".

Jayne Mansfield bio
Mickey Hargitay bio

Famous parents of Kiefer Sutherland: Donald Sutherland & Shirley Douglas
Most of us know that "24" star Kiefer Sutherland's dad is celebrated actor Donald Sutherland, but you may also know his mom. Shirley Douglas has been a television celebrity since the 1950'a and she is not slowing down. Douglas played May Bailey in "Wind at My Back" for five years and has been seen more recently as Professor Dunwoody on "Degrassi: The Next Generation".

Donald Sutherland bio
Shirley Douglas bio

Famous parents of David & Shaun Cassidy: Jack Cassidy (with Evelyn Ward & Shirley Jones respectively)
Jack Cassidy started his TV career in the 1950's and was the host of "The $20,000 Pyramid" when he died in an accidental fire. Cassidy married Evelyn Ward, a promising young actress in the 40's and 50's whose star never rose. The two were married for eight years and had one child, David Cassidy. Cassidy married Shirley Jones in 1956 and had three children. Shaun Cassidy was the couples' first born and soon became a teen idol like his half brother David, to the chagrin of Shirley Jones. Though both Shirley and Jack Cassidy were heavily involved in Hollywood, Jones tried to keep Shaun out of the limelight. His talent could not be kept hidden. Eventually her other two children, Patrick and Ryan, also got the acting bug. Shirley Jones is still acting today with the movie "Bruce the Challenge" releasing in 2011 and another movie in preproduction.

Jack Cassidy bio
Evelyn Ward bio
Shirley Jones bio

Famous parents of Ben & Amy Stiller: Anne Meara & Jerry Stiller
The comedy team of Stiller & Meara was a mainstay of early television. The married couple were the perfect mix of Stiller's mania with Meara's calm. The couple have been married since 1954, which has to be a Hollywood record. Both kids have become celebrities in their own rights, and you can see bits of both parents in their acting. Anne Meara is still working hard in Hollywood with "When the Evening Comes" in post-production. Jerry Stiller is active as ever with two movies in post-production in 2010 and 2011.

Anne Meara bio
Jerry Stiller bio

All of these celebrity families have added to the rich talent pool in Hollywood. Some more reluctantly than others. Having celebrity parents comes with the roller coaster ride of work flow and endless travel. It certainly prepares one for the rigors of stardom and living the Hollywood lifestyle.