Acting often runs in the family, and Hollywood has many father and son pairs to prove it. Some sons grew up on movie sets, while others found their own path to the screen later in life.
Here is a look at fifteen well-known duos and how each son built a career in the same business as his dad.
1. Kirk Douglas and Michael Douglas
Kirk Douglas was a screen legend long before his son ever stepped in front of a camera. He starred in Spartacus and Paths of Glory, and his rugged intensity made him a top name of the 1950s and 1960s.
Michael Douglas began on television in The Streets of San Francisco, then moved into film. He also became a producer, and he won an Oscar for producing One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, a project his father had helped bring to life years earlier.
Michael later won Best Actor for Wall Street in 1987. Father and son even shared the screen in films such as It Runs in the Family, which featured three generations of the Douglas family.
Their story shows how a famous name can open doors, while talent keeps them open.
2. Martin Sheen and Charlie Sheen
Born Ramon Estevez, Martin Sheen picked a new last name to chase his acting dreams in New York. Years later, he became known for Apocalypse Now and for playing President Bartlet on The West Wing.
His son Charlie, born Carlos Estevez, grew up around sets and appeared in his dad’s film as a child. As a young man, he took bigger roles in Platoon and Wall Street, and the two even appeared together in Wall Street in 1987.
Charlie later became a major television star with Spin City and Two and a Half Men. Martin has often said he is proud of his family’s creative spirit.
Their careers took different turns, yet both left a lasting mark on screen.
3. Donald Sutherland and Kiefer Sutherland
Tall, calm, and unforgettable, Donald Sutherland built a long career with films like M*A*S*H, Klute, and The Hunger Games. His deep voice and sly smile made him a favorite of directors for decades.
Kiefer Sutherland first drew attention in the 1980s with Stand by Me and The Lost Boys. He then became a household name as Jack Bauer in the television series 24, a role that earned him an Emmy Award.
The two worked together in the 1990s film A Time to Kill and again in later projects. Kiefer has spoken about learning from his father’s commitment to the craft.
Between them, they have appeared in well over two hundred film and television titles.
4. Lloyd Bridges and Jeff Bridges
Long before he got laughs in Airplane!, Lloyd Bridges was an action hero on the television series Sea Hunt. Playing a diver named Mike Nelson, he became one of the first major stars of early TV.
Jeff Bridges grew up watching his dad work and even appeared on Sea Hunt as a boy. He later earned acclaim for The Last Picture Show and went on to win an Academy Award for Crazy Heart in 2010.
His role as The Dude in The Big Lebowski is now a cult classic. Jeff also has a brother, Beau, who became an actor too.
The Bridges family shows that a relaxed, hard-working approach to acting can last across generations.
5. Henry Fonda and Peter Fonda
Henry Fonda played honest, thoughtful heroes in The Grapes of Wrath and 12 Angry Men. His quiet strength made him one of the most respected actors of the twentieth century.
Peter Fonda chose a looser, more rebellious road. He co-wrote and starred in Easy Rider in 1969, a film that helped define a new era of independent American cinema.
Later, Peter earned praise and an Oscar nomination for Ulee’s Gold in 1997. His sister Jane became a star as well, which made the Fonda name even bigger.
Henry and Peter had a complicated bond, but both shaped the story of American film in very different ways.
6. James Brolin and Josh Brolin
Fans of classic television know James Brolin from Marcus Welby, M.D., where he played a young doctor in the 1970s. He later starred in films such as The Amityville Horror and Capricorn One.
His son Josh took a slower path to stardom. After small roles in The Goonies and a long stretch of television work, he broke through in 2007 with No Country for Old Men and American Gangster.
Josh earned an Oscar nomination for Milk and later played Thanos in Marvel films. James, married to Barbra Streisand, has often cheered on his son’s success.
Their careers show that patience can pay off, even for a famous family.
7. Denzel Washington and John David Washington
Two Oscars, a stack of acclaimed roles, and a reputation for serious craft: that is the résumé of Denzel Washington. Films like Glory, Training Day, and Malcolm X made him one of the most trusted names in movies.
John David Washington began as a football player, playing college ball and spending time in professional training camps. He then turned to acting and appeared on the HBO series Ballers.
His big film moment came with BlacKkKlansman in 2018, followed by Tenet in 2020. Denzel has encouraged his son to work hard and stay humble.
Both men also have a connection to Spike Lee, who directed each of them in major films.
8. Tom Hanks and Colin Hanks
Few actors are as beloved as Tom Hanks. From Forrest Gump to Toy Story, his warm, everyman charm has helped him win two Academy Awards and the trust of audiences worldwide.
Colin Hanks appeared in his father’s film That Thing You Do! in 1996 and then built his own list of credits. He has acted in Band of Brothers, Fargo, and Life in Pieces.
Colin also directs documentaries, including work about Tower Records and the Eagles. Many fans are surprised to learn that he has carved out such an independent career.
He often says he never felt pressure to copy his father, only to find his own voice.
9. Clint Eastwood and Scott Eastwood
Squinting under a cowboy hat, Clint Eastwood became a symbol of the Western through The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. He later shifted behind the camera and won Best Director Oscars for Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby.
Scott Eastwood looks a lot like a young Clint, and he has the family’s calm screen presence. He first appeared in his father’s films, including Flags of Our Fathers and Gran Torino.
Scott went on to star in The Fate of the Furious, Pacific Rim Uprising, and Overlord. Clint has mentioned that he gave his son room to make his own choices.
Together, they show how a steady work ethic can pass from one generation to the next.
10. Jerry Stiller and Ben Stiller
Comedy was the family business in the Stiller home. Jerry Stiller and his wife Anne Meara performed as a stage duo, and Jerry later became famous as Frank Costanza on Seinfeld.
Ben Stiller grew up around laughter and began making short films as a teenager. He rose to fame with The Ben Stiller Show, then starred in There’s Something About Mary, Meet the Parents, and Zoolander.
Ben also directs, and he cast his dad in several projects, including Zoolander. Jerry often joked about his son’s success while beaming with pride.
Their warm bond shows that humor can be a gift handed down at the dinner table.
11. James Caan and Scott Caan
As Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, James Caan delivered one of cinema’s most explosive performances. He also starred in Misery and Thief, and his fast-talking, tough-guy style became his trademark.
His son Scott Caan started out in films like American Outlaws and Ocean’s Eleven. He then landed a long run as Danny Williams on the television series Hawaii Five-0.
Scott has also written and directed, and he once played alongside his father in a few projects. James had a close, joking bond with his son, and Scott often spoke warmly about him.
Together they covered everything from crime dramas to comedies across several decades.
12. Robert Pine and Chris Pine
Many viewers have seen Robert Pine without knowing his name. He played Sergeant Joe Getraer on the long-running series CHiPs and has appeared in countless television shows over several decades.
His son Chris Pine became a major film star when he played Captain Kirk in the 2009 Star Trek reboot. He later appeared in Wonder Woman, Hell or High Water, and Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
Chris earned strong reviews for Hell or High Water. His mother, Gwynne Gilford, was an actress too, so acting was part of daily life at home.
Both father and son show how steady, dependable work can lead to lasting careers.
13. Eugene Levy and Dan Levy
With his famous eyebrows and dry wit, Eugene Levy became a comedy favorite in SCTV, American Pie, and Best in Show. He later received wide praise for his role in Schitt’s Creek.
His son Dan Levy co-created that series with him and played David Rose. The show swept the 2020 Emmys by winning in every major comedy category, a first for any comedy series.
Dan wrote, directed, and acted in the show, which has been praised for its kind and funny story. Eugene has said that working with his son was the highlight of his career.
The pair proved that a family can build something warm and lasting together.
14. Robert Downey Sr. and Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Sr. was an underground filmmaker known for odd, daring comedies like Putney Swope in 1969. His work stood far outside the usual Hollywood style, and critics praised his bold ideas.
His son appeared in his films as a small child, and he became a full-time actor as a young man. Robert Downey Jr. earned an Oscar nomination for Chaplin and later became Iron Man in the Marvel movies.
In 2024, he won an Academy Award for Oppenheimer. The younger Downey has spoken warmly about his father’s creative influence.
Their story is a reminder that early lessons on a set can shape a whole career.
15. Will Smith and Jaden Smith
From The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to Men in Black, Will Smith has been a blockbuster star for decades. He is also a Grammy-winning rapper and won an Oscar for King Richard.
His son Jaden Smith appeared beside him in The Pursuit of Happyness in 2006 when he was just a boy. He later led The Karate Kid remake in 2010 and starred in After Earth with his dad.
Jaden is also a musician and fashion creator, so his work goes beyond acting. Will has often praised his son’s curiosity and bold ideas.
Together, they show how a famous family can encourage each child to follow different creative paths.
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