Some famous family ties are hidden in plain sight – disguised by different surnames, wildly different careers, or simply a refusal to trade on the connection.
In many cases, these stars grew up sharing bedrooms, family dinners and deeply awkward childhood phases long before red carpets entered the picture.
Others quietly watched a relative's success from the sidelines, using it as inspiration – or motivation to do things completely their own way.
What makes these relationships fascinating isn't just the shared DNA, but how differently each person has navigated fame. Some leaned into it. Some ran in the opposite direction. Some weaponised sibling embarrassment for chart-topping songs. And some barely mention the connection at all.
Once you know these links, you start spotting the similarities – the cadence, the humour, the confidence – and wondering how you ever missed them in the first place.
Join HELLO! as we take a look at some not-so-well-known family ties...
Sabrina Carpenter & Nancy Cartwright – paternal aunt
© GettyYes, pop's current pint-sized powerhouse is related to the voice of Bart Simpson – and once you know it, it feels oddly perfect.
Sabrina Carpenter rose from Disney Channel beginnings to bona fide pop stardom with hits like Espresso and Feather, while her aunt Nancy Cartwright has spent decades voicing Bart, Nelson and half of Springfield in the iconic animated series The Simpsons.
Nancy confirmed the connection in a video shared on Instagram in 2024, adding, "She's pretty amazing." One dominates charts, the other shaped childhoods – same family, wildly different forms of cultural saturation.
Jonah Hill & Beanie Feldstein – siblings
© Getty ImagesSiblings Jonah Hill and Beanie Feldstein might operate in different corners of Hollywood, but their shared comic DNA is unmistakable.
Jonah built his career playing emotionally chaotic men in films like Superbad, Moneyball and The Wolf of Wall Street, while Beanie emerged as a sharp, soulful scene-stealer in Lady Bird and Booksmart before conquering Broadway as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl.
© Getty ImagesThe pair are so close, Jonah has called her his "personal hero" in an interview with People, and even got a tattoo of her name in March 2018 to celebrate her Broadway debut in the production of Hello, Dolly! Proof that Hollywood success doesn't cancel out big-brother energy.
Jenny McCarthy & Melissa McCarthy – first cousins
This family connection still throws people.
Jenny McCarthy became a pop-culture fixture through modelling, MTV and tabloid fame, while her cousin Melissa McCarthy carved out a critically respected comedy and acting career, earning Oscar nominations for Bridesmaids and Can You Ever Forgive Me? and cementing herself as one of comedy's most versatile performers.
Despite sharing a surname and a cracking sense of humour, their public personas couldn't be more different. Same family tree, radically different branches – and very different Wikipedia sections.
However, when it comes to the crunch, like most families, they will go into bat for each other. When writer Rex Reed made comments about Melissa's weight, Jenny wasn't having it. "That's obnoxious," she said to E! Online. "For anyone to attack like that, it's just wrong and hurtful, and it doesn't do anyone any good." Note to self: don’t mess with Jenny McCarthy.
Emma Roberts & Julia Roberts – paternal aunt
© FilmMagicEmma grew up knowing her aunt Julia was one of the most recognisable actresses on the planet – and she's never pretended that was easy.
Julia Roberts defined an era with films like Pretty Woman, My Best Friend's Wedding and Erin Brockovich, while Emma has deliberately pursued darker, quirkier roles in American Horror Story, Scream Queens and The Hunt. When Emma chose the industry, she did it on her own terms, slowly building credibility through indie films and television.
© FilmMagic"I never aspired to be her," Emma told Tatler. "I love her so much, I love her work, but I'm just doing my own thing." The resemblance is undeniable, but their careers reflect different generations – and different ways of handling Hollywood pressure.
Warren Beatty & Shirley MacLaine – siblings
© Getty Images for AFILong before Hollywood became obsessed with legacy, siblings Warren Beatty and Shirley MacLaine were quietly embodying it.
Warren was the magnetic leading man of Bonnie and Clyde and later an acclaimed director, while Shirley became known for her sharp wit, emotional range and outspoken personality in films such as Terms of Endearment. Despite their different public images – Warren the elusive heart-throb, Shirley the spiritual truth-teller – both built careers defined by longevity and risk-taking.
© Bettmann ArchiveIn 2012, during her acceptance speech for the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award, Shirley thanked Warren, citing him as the person "she'd known the longest and the person she'd loved the longest on this planet." As heartfelt tributes go, that’s pretty hard to top.
Jason Sudeikis & George Wendt – maternal uncle
© Getty ImagesJason Sudeikis' connection to Cheers runs deeper than most people realise.
His uncle is George Wendt, who played the beloved bar-stool philosopher Norm Peterson for 11 seasons. While George became synonymous with one iconic role, Jason built a varied career through Saturday Night Live, Horrible Bosses and eventually Ted Lasso. George has spoken proudly of his nephew's success. "He's such a great kid," he said on the Still Here Hollywood podcast. "Very proud. Proud especially, you know, not only of the success, but he's solid. Have you read profiles and stuff? I mean, he is such a mesh, so smart, so thoughtful."
© GC ImagesAfter George's death in May 2025, Jason gave numerous heartfelt tributes, even leading a Cheers singalong. He also included a direct reference to Cheers in the Ted Lasso finale as an homage, featuring the same Geronimo picture from the Cheers finale.
Alfie Allen & Lily Allen – siblings
© Getty ImagesThis sibling relationship is as brutally honest as you'd expect.
Lily Allen built a music career on unapologetic lyrics and sharp social commentary, while Alfie Allen became a fan favourite on Game of Thrones thanks to his emotionally devastating portrayal of the doomed Theon Greyjoy. Early in her career, Lily famously released a song titled "Alfie," publicly calling out her brother for laziness and lack of direction.
© Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images"I had no idea how big I was going to be or how many people would hear that song," Lily told Marie Claire. "It didn't occur to me that there would be a music video or people on the radio would be asking, 'who's Alfie?' It has been the subject of many family arguments." It’s sibling motivation, pop-star edition.
Al Roker & Lenny Kravitz – second cousins once removed
© Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty IAmerica's most famous weatherman and one of rock's most stylish icons sharing DNA feels like a cosmic joke. Roxie Roker, who played Helen on The Jeffersons sitcom, is Lenny's mother and Al's cousin.
© WireImageTheir bond pops up occasionally in interviews and social media moments, usually played for laughs. "Many people get Lenny Kravitz and I confused, especially when his shirt is off," Al joked on The Today Show. The pair are proof that talent – and confidence – can manifest in wildly different forms within the same family.
Bryce Dallas Howard & Ron Howard – father and daughter
© Getty ImagesBryce has one of the most famous fathers in Hollywood – and one of the strictest approaches to fame. Ron Howard transitioned from child actor to Oscar-winning director, while Bryce gradually built her own acting career in films like Jurassic World and The Help. She has said Ron insisted she experience life outside the industry before pursuing acting, including working retail jobs.
© Getty Images"I think if I had the chance to act younger, I would've taken it. But I wasn't allowed to," Bryce told People. "My parents were very firm on that boundary, that they were not going to support anyone who wanted to be a child actor."
That grounding shows in her career choices, which now include directing high-profile television episodes. Bryce has spoken about learning leadership and calm under pressure from her father – skills that translate seamlessly behind the camera.
Sofia Coppola & Nicolas Cage – first cousins
© WireImageThis is what happens when one family basically is Hollywood. Sofia is the introspective auteur behind Lost in Translation and The Virgin Suicides. Nicolas is…Nicolas. Method, chaos, Oscars, memes. Both grew up immersed in filmmaking, but took radically different creative paths.
© GettyNicolas famously changed his surname early on to avoid nepotism assumptions, inspired in part by the Marvel Comics superhero Luke Cage. Sofia, on the other hand, embraced her lineage while forging a distinctly personal voice. Same roots, wildly different branches of cinematic expression. It’s a family of legends where even the 'black sheep' is an Oscar winner.
Lea Thompson & Zoey Deutch – mother and daughter
© Getty ImagesActress Lea Thompson will forever be linked to Back to the Future for her role as Marty McFly's mother, while her daughter Zoey Deutch represents a new generation of Hollywood leads. Zoey has built a career on modern rom-coms and sharp satire, earning praise for her comedic timing and emotional nuance.
© WireImageThe pair also collaborated alongside Zoe's sister Maddie in the 2017 movie The Year of Spectacular Men. "My kids couldn't be cooler. Zoey is an amazing actress," Lea told Parade. "I couldn't be prouder of my children and my life." Aw, spoken like a true proud mum.
