Many children of actors follow their parents' footsteps into the business. Having grown up around the business, most of them have the ideal role models to learn from. This encourages many offspring of actors to take up the profession themselves. Some children go even further and act with their parents as their on-screen children.

The offspring of famous actors speak out about the curse and blessing of being an aspiring actor as the child of a famous star. Some are grateful for the experience that their parents can share and the contacts they can provide. Others say that their job was made harder because of the family connection, often expressing anguish that they only landed the job because of their connections, and not because of their skills. As the offspring of famous celebs, the task of proving themselves become twice as hard than for a regular actor or actress trying to make into the business.

If as a viewer, we see a real-life parent and child acting, it adds a dimension to the film that makes it more believable and draws us in -- so long as the acting is up to scratch of course! Here are some of the actors who have kept it in the family in their home lives as well as their careers.

15 Meryl Streep And Mamie Gummer

Meryl Streep is a Hollywood legend and her genes have clearly been passed down to her daughter, Mamie Gummer, who is also a successful actress. They have acted together as mother and daughter in the film Ricki and the Flash, but also in Evening and in Heartburn when Mamie was just a tiny two year-old. Mamie was even given a false name to avoid intrusion from the press.

In Evening, Mamie actually played her mother’s character, Lila Wittenborn, at a younger age. No doubt the family resemblance helped make the scenes more believable.

Meryl has also starred with Mamie’s younger sister, Grace, who also starred as a younger version of her mother’s character in the film House of Spirits.

Meryl is one of the most famous faces in Hollywood. She has starred in some of the most successful films of recent times, including Kramer vs Kramer, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, The Devil Wears Prada and Mamma Mia.

She has been credited with opening doors for women to play more major roles and has been nominated for many Academy Awards and won three.

Mamie has branched out from the film into TV and theater and won critical acclaim for her acting. In 2006, she won a Theatre World award for her role in Mr. Marmalade.

14 Ben And Jerry Stiller

Ben’s father is well-known in the acting world and although Ben might have eclipsed him at the box office, they still work together. Ben and Jerry acted together in the hit film, Zoolander. They also co-starred in The Heartbreak Kid, Hot Pursuit and Heavyweights.

Ben has proved prolific in his career in his own right. He has made many films and TV programs, presented his own series of TV shows and directed a number of blockbusters.

He has inherited the comedic genes of his parents and is often chosen to play comedy roles. In 2004 he starred in Meet the Fockers, which made over $500 million. He is a leading member of a group of actors known as the Frat Pack, who work together repeatedly. Other members include Jack Black and Will Ferrell, among others, but Ben doesn’t credit the nickname with much weight.

Jerry was a comic legend as well, starring alone and with his wife in many successful shows. He revived his fame in the 1990s, appearing on the hit comedy show Seinfeld, as George Costanza’s father and then again in The King of Queens as the main character’s cranky father-in-law. His film credits included voiceover collaboration with his wife in 2014, in Planes: Fire and Rescue.

13 Will And Jaden Smith

Little Jaden Smith is following in his parents’ footsteps and has already appeared in feature films, despite still being a youngster. He starred with his father, Will Smith in After Earth in 2013, which wasn’t a mega hit, but when they starred together in The Pursuit of Happyness in 2006, it was a different story. The film was a smash hit, netting nearly $164 million at the box office. Will Smith also won an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the struggling single father trying to make it as a stockbroker.

The Smith dynasty will no doubt invade Hollywood for years to come. Jaden’s sister, Willow starred with her mother, Jada Pinkett Smith in Madagascar Escape 2 Africa, in which Willow voiced a younger version of her mother’s character, hippo Gloria.

And according to Hollywood.com, Willow has also acted with her father, appearing as his daughter in I am Legend.

Will is one of the successful actors of his generation. His films gross a huge amount of money and he has been rated by Forbes as one of the most bankable stars of his time. He has won two Oscars and four Grammys as a result of his acting and rapping skills.

12 Billy Ray Cyrus And Miley Cyrus

Miley starred with her singer/actor dad in Hannah Montana: The Movie, which went on to gross $80 million. Despite acting alongside her daughter in the Disney movie, her father Billy Ray Cyrus may be better known to the public as a country singer, having released 12 studio albums and for his smash hit Achy Breaky Heart. However, he also has acting credentials and has appeared in the TV show Doc, as well as the Disney show Hannah Montana, with Miley. He’s also been on the USA dancing show, Dancing with the Stars, lasting a respectable eight weeks.

Miley is a multi-talented artist too. She has acted from a young age, but is also an accomplished singer and has achieved five number one albums in the USA according to Wikipedia and has released records under the names of Miley Cyrus and her alter ego Hannah Montana. Her singing style has developed into a more mature material in recent years, especially after having worked with Pharrell Williams, who helped her develop a more hip hop sound to her music.

Miley has been in show business for much of her life. She started acting in TV shows when she was a youngster, and then transferred to the Disney channel in her teenage years playing Miley Stewart in Hannah Montana, which made her a worldwide star.

11 Brad Pitt And Shiloh Jolie-Pitt

The Pitt/Jolie dynasty continues to thrive with young Shiloh stepping into her parents’ acting footsteps, by appearing in the Curious Case of Benjamin Button at the tender age of two.

She is in the middle of the Jolie-Pitt clan, and Brad has said that she likes to dress as a boy and prefers to be called by a boy’s name according to Life and Style magazine.

She’s been deeply affected by her parent’s divorce, but remains close to both. Her physical resemblance to her father has been commented on often and she appears to see him as a role model in dress as well as behavior. There have been many comments made in the media about Shiloh's appearance, with some believing that she had to find a way to distinguish herself from her siblings. Many believe that she uses the medium of appearance to achieve that.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are two of Hollywood’s A-listers and their children have been thrust into the spotlight as a result. Brad first came to public attention in Thelma and Louise in 1991 and has since gone on to make numerous films and received an Oscar nomination for his role in 12 Monkeys in 1995.

His personal life has been much scrutinized as well, especially his marriages to Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie.

10 Ryan O’Neal And Tatum O’Neal

The O’Neals are well known in Hollywood and Tatum has made a successful career for herself as an adult actress. However, when she was a child she became the youngest person ever to win an Oscar when she starred with her father in the film, Paper Moon when she was only 10. This is an amazing achievement, especially as it was Tatum’s first acting job.

Ryan has had a difficult relationship with his daughter, which was escalated when Ryan got together with Farrah Fawcett, who Tatum believed he chose above her. Ryan was furious when Tatum wrote an autobiography that exposed many family secrets, according to Huffington Post.

He has made some controversial comments about his daughter in recent years, which suggests that the relationship is still on the sticky ground.

Ryan’s film career has been more successful. He received an Oscar for his role in the emotionally charged, Love Story with Ali McGraw, he also starred in a Bridge too Far and in successful TV series Bones.

Tatum has also found success in TV, appearing in Sex and the City and Law and Order. She is well known for her romantic relationships, including a rumored relationship with Michael Jackson, as well as marriage to tennis champion John McEnroe.

9 Demi Moore And Rumer Willis

Demi Moore’s daughter with Bruce Willis, Rumer, has inherited the acting bug from her famous parents as well. She is an actress in her own right and took the chance to star as her real mother’s daughter in Now and Then and Striptease. Rumer evidently likes working with her parents as she has starred in a number of films with her A-list father too, including Hostage.

Demi has appeared in many well-known films and came to be a household name after the 1980s smash, St Elmo’s Fire. Her appearance in Ghost in 1990 propelled her into global stardom. She has had high profile relationships with fellow actors, including Rumer’s father Bruce Willis, Emilio Estevez and Ashton Kutcher.

She provided an inspiration to fellow actresses by becoming the first woman to earn $10 million for a movie, according to Hello! Magazine. Demi added to her working resume by producing films in recent times, working on the Austin Powers films and GI Jane, in which she also starred.

Rumer started her acting career starring with her parents. She has since branched out on her own and went on to appear in many films and TV shows including CSI and Hawaii 5-0. She also won Dancing with the Stars in 2015.

8 Martin And Charlie Sheen

Martin Sheen is a well-known Hollywood stalwart, whose sons also went on to have amazing acting careers. He has starred in many films with them, including Wall Street in 1987 with son, Charlie. They also starred as father and son in No Code of Conduct, Cadence and on the TV drama, Spin City. Charlie’s earliest foray into film was with his father in The Execution of Private Slovik, according to Wikipedia.

Martin also collaborated with another of his sons, Emilio Estevez in the War at Home in 1996 as well as The Way and The Custody of Strangers.

Recently Martin has been in the TV drama, the West Wing, which ran for seven years. He has starred in Hollywood films such as Apocalypse Now, Ghandi and JFK.

Charlie has starred in his fair share of blockbusters too. He appeared in Platoon, the Three Musketeers and Eight Men Out. On TV, he won a Golden Globe for his appearance in Spin City, where he replaced Michael J. Fox’s character. His work in Two and a Half Men earned him more award nominations. He has not been without his troubles though, has admitted to substance issues, and has revealed he is HIV positive.

7 Tom Hanks And Colin Hanks

Colin has learned from the best. His father is a multiple Oscar winning superstar and Colin has followed his father into the trade, starring with him in The Great Buck Howard, as well as appearing in other major films.

Tom is a Hollywood legend, who has appeared in numerous blockbusters, including Sleepless in Seattle, Splash, Big and Turner and Hooch. He is known for his work with Steven Spielberg, with whom he has also co-directed and went on to launch his own directorial career.

He won Academy Awards for Philadelphia, and Forrest Gump and made history in 1995 by winning Best Actor Oscars in consecutive years.

Colin appeared in King Kong and Orange County, and notable TV programs, such as Fargo and Band of Brothers. He also provides a voiceover in the animated series, Talking Tom and Friends, in which he plays, Tom.

Tom’s younger son, Chet has appeared in one of the Indiana Jones films, albeit a small part.

6 Angelina Jolie And Jon Voight

Angelina, and her actor father, have had a volatile and difficult relationship over the years. Angelina admitted in an interview that they had to get to know each other later in life and that things were going well between them, says Closer.

The situation started to become difficult when Jon left Angelina’s mother in her childhood, but the father and daughter kept in touch and Angelina had her first red carpet experience at the Oscars with her father in 1986. Angelina’s famous father, later starred with his daughter in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

Being in the limelight gave both father and father a chance to voice negative and positive opinions about each other, and the situation became difficult for some time and the pair didn’t speak for five years.

Reconciliation happened after Angelina’s mother passed and it is reported that Brad Pitt acted as part peacemaker. Things seem very good between them now, and Jon is an active and enthusiastic grandfather to Angelina’s six children.

Jon has an illustrious cinematic career, winning an Oscar and being nominated for several Golden Globes. Angelina also carried the acting with children tradition forward, when she starred with her daughter Vivienne Jolie-Pitt in Maleficent.

5 Johnny Depp And Lily-Rose Depp

Lily-Rose is the daughter of Johnny Depp and French singer/actress Vanessa Paradis. She starred alongside her father when she was a young teenager in the film, Tusk. She has gone on to star in many high-profile films, proving that she doesn’t need her father’s protection to act in her own right.

Johnny is full of praise for his actress daughter, especially in the way she handles fame and pressure. She has had some great examples from her parents about what price fame can cost, and seems to have listened and taken note.

She feels motivated to work twice as hard as other actresses because of her famous father, rather than hang on to his name and assume she will get roles according to Vogue.

Johnny is critically acclaimed for his unique style and choice of roles. He is famous for playing Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series and was nominated for an Oscar for his performance. He is also an accomplished singer and has forayed into the worlds of restaurants and winemaking. It is as an actor that he is best known, and he has appeared in numerous well-known films including Nightmare on Elm Street, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Chocolat and Sleepy Hollow.

4 Henry Fonda And Jane Fonda

This legendary pair starred as father and daughter in On Golden Pond. The film charts a tricky relationship between the two, perhaps mirroring their real-life relationship. Henry won an Oscar for his role, but sadly passed before he could accept it, so Jane did the honors on his behalf.

Henry was a successful and celebrated actor, regarded as one of Hollywood’s all-time greats. He appeared in War and Peace, 12 Angry Men, The Oscar nominated Grapes of Wrath and the Wrong Man. He also had an illustrious television and Broadway career.

Jane is a Hollywood legend as well. She recently starred in Grace and Frankie with Martin Sheen and has gained notoriety for her fitness regimes and her political views. She’s won Oscars for her roles in Klute and Coming Home, as reported by Biography.com. She’s been open about her plastic surgery and how much confidence it has given her, and at 80-years old, she looks amazing.

Peter and Jane had a difficult relationship, due to differences in acting styles and conflicts over political views. Luckily, these differences were set aside by the time Peter died, and Jane was among family members present at his death.

3 Matthew Perry And John Bennett Perry

Matthew Perry is well known to us for his role as Chandler Bing in Friends, but his father has a long career as an actor too. He starred in Independence Day, George of the Jungle and Little House on the Prairie, among many others.

The two Perrys starred as father and son in the film Fools Rush In in 1997. They again worked together in Scrubs where they again played father and son, and the Scrubs staff was trying to convince Matthew’s character to donate a needed kidney to his father. John even had a small part in an episode of Friends, playing the father of one of Rachel’s boyfriends, Joshua.

Matthew went onto film success after Friends, appearing in The Whole Nine Yards and 17 Again among others, and he has appeared in several TV programs as well.

John’s long screen history includes being the ‘sailor’ for numerous Old Spice commercials many successful films and television programs, including Independence Day, LA Law, Murder She Wrote and The West Wing. He portrayed General Douglas MacArthur in Farewell to the King. He’s co-hosted a successful talk show with Stephanie Edwards called EveryDay, for which they were both nominated for an Emmy as Outstanding Host or Hostess of a talk show.

2 Kirk And Michael Douglas

An Oscar winning father and son team, Kirk and Michael are both A-list Hollywood superstars. Both have been nominated for prestigious awards including Golden Globes, and both have a string of films on their CVs.

They appeared together in It Runs in the Family, and it certainly did. Michael’s son Cameron also appeared and Kirk’s real-life former wife, Diana, was in the show too.

Kirk is multi-talented, as his prestigious career proves. He has acted, directed, produced and worked in TV over the years. In his younger years, he gained praise for his roles in Lust for Life and The Bad and the Beautiful in the 1950s. Many movie fans identify him from his film Spartacus, in which he played the title role. He’s an active philanthropist as well and gives millions to worthy causes, inspired by his mother’s example.

Michael has had his fair share of success too. He is one of the most recognized actors of his time. He gained fame for his role in the popular TV show The Streets of San Francisco, in which he starred with film veteran Karl Malden. He then began to grace the credits of Hollywood greats, such as Wall Street, Romancing the Stone and Basic Instinct.

1 Anne Meara And Ben Stiller

Anne Meara spent a lot of her life in show business. She performed with her husband, Jerry, as one half of the comedy duo Stiller and Meara. After meeting at an audition, they married in 1954. In 1959 they began appearing together as a comedy duo, first at nightclubs and then on the late night talk show circuit and they appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show every two month. She appeared in other screen productions and tried her hand at playwriting as well, after stagefright caused her to give up her theatre work. She believed this was triggered by childhood trauma according to NYTimes.com.

Anne was an award winning actress throughout her career, and remained married to Jerry Stiller until her death in 2015. They had a daughter and two sons together, Ben being the younger.

Ben started his screen career, as so many children of actors’ do, appearing with his mother on her show. He later worked with his mother on the film, Reality Bites in 1994, which Ben directed, as well as starred in.

His film credits are numerous. He starred in There’s Something About Mary, the Meet the Parents series, as well as the trilogy of Night at the Museum. His films have grossed millions and he has been recognized with a number of nominations and awards.

References: Wikipedia, Hollywood, Life and Style, Huffington Post, Hello! Magazine