Kate Hudson is the daughter of icons Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson, with a legendary stepfather in Kurt Russell. Yet she carved out her own massive fame with an Oscar-nominated turn in Almost Famous and a string of romantic comedies. Today, she's often the first celebrity people think of in her own famous family. | © DreamWorks Pictures
Jake Gyllenhaal's parents, director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner, worked behind the scenes. Jake stepped in front of the camera, becoming an Oscar-nominated leading man in major films like Brokeback Mountain. His prominent acting career has granted him a far greater public profile than his talented parents ever achieved. | © Elevation Pictures
Dakota Johnson hails from Hollywood royalty, being the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. She skillfully carried the family's fame into a new era by headlining the blockbuster Fifty Shades franchise. That role cemented her own star status, making her the most widely recognized member of the family for a new generation. | © Universal Studios
Anderson Cooper comes from an extraordinary lineage as the son of heiress and designer Gloria Vanderbilt. He forged his own path to fame through hard-hitting journalism, becoming a defining face of CNN. While the Vanderbilt name carries historical weight, Anderson's own celebrity as a trusted broadcaster has made him the most recognized figure in his immediate family. | © The Late Show with Stephen Colbert / YouTube
Maya Rudolph inherited musical talent from her famous parents, singer Minnie Riperton and composer Richard Rudolph. She chose a different path, becoming a breakout star on Saturday Night Live and a beloved comedic actress. Her success in television and film has made her a household name, achieving a broader fame than her musically renowned parents. | © Universal Pictures
Drew Barrymore was born into a legendary acting dynasty, but she became its most famous member. She was a household name as a child star in E.T., and then reinvented herself as a beloved talk show host and producer. Today, the Barrymore name is synonymous with her alone, far surpassing the fame of her father, John Drew Barrymore. | © CBS
Gwyneth Paltrow's parents, Bruce Paltrow and Blythe Danner, were established figures in Hollywood. Gwyneth, however, became an Oscar-winning actress and then leveraged that fame to launch a hugely influential lifestyle brand, Goop. Her unique blend of celebrity and entrepreneurial influence has given her a cultural footprint that outshines their careers. | © Vogue / YouTube
While his parents had successful careers in their own fields, Timothée Chalamet became a generational movie star. He earned Oscar nominations and leading roles in major films like Call Me By Your Name and Wonka. That meteoric rise in Hollywood has made him far more famous than his journalist father or actress mother. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Ernie Lively was a steady working actor for years, even appearing in his daughter's film. Blake, however, landed the defining role of Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl, which made her an instant star. That cultural phenomenon catapulted her to a level of fame her father's career never reached. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
John Aniston was a respected soap opera star, but his daughter achieved a different kind of celebrity. As Rachel Green on Friends, Jennifer Aniston became a global icon and one of the most famous actresses in the world. Her level of mainstream fame ultimately dwarfed her father's long-running TV career. | © Warner Bros. Television
Gigi Hadid's mother, Yolanda, was a model and reality TV star, but Gigi took that foundation to a different level. She became a Victoria's Secret Angel and a constant presence on international runways and magazine covers. Her high-profile personal life and status as a supermodel have made her far more famous than her mother ever was. | © The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon / YouTube
Miley Cyrus rocketed past her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, becoming a defining pop star of her generation. While he's often remembered for Achy Breaky Heart, her career has shown remarkable range and longevity. Her fame and influence have completely eclipsed his early success. | © Miley Cyrus / YouTube
Ben Stiller certainly inherited his comedy genius from his famous parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. He then used that foundation to build a massive career as a movie star, director, and producer. While his parents were beloved comedians, Stiller's leading roles in blockbuster films made him a household name worldwide. | © Apple TV+
Robert Downey Sr. was a celebrated underground filmmaker, but his son entered the mainstream stratosphere. By becoming the charismatic face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Iron Man, Downey Jr. reached a level of global celebrity his father never approached. That iconic role turned him into one of the most bankable and recognized stars on the planet. | © Netflix
Angelina Jolie may have started as the daughter of Oscar-winner Jon Voight, but she quickly eclipsed his fame. She transformed herself into a global icon, known for powerful film roles and high-profile humanitarian work. Her level of worldwide recognition and influence has firmly established her as the bigger star in the family. | © Universal Studios
These celebrity kids grew up with famous parents, but they didn't just ride on their family name. They built massive careers of their own, becoming even bigger stars and household names. Here are 15 who ended up more famous than the people who raised them.
