It appears to me that a very large percentage of cinema stars these
days are sons and daughters of cinema stars. Withness Charlie Sheen,
Beau Bridges, Bridget Fonda.  This implies either a) acting talent is
genetic or b) a bad case of nepotism.  (Given the general decline in
acting ability, I believe the answer is "b")

Can you tell me approximately what percentage of movie stars are
relatives of people in the movie business.  I'd like to include people
like Angelica Huston (a fine actress, btw), who is the daughter of
director John Huston.  By "stars" I mean people whose names the public
is generally familiar with.

If you have an idea of what percentage of lesser stars got their jobs
by sleeping with stars, that would be interesting, but not required.

Thanks!

Gwyneth Paltrow, Drew Barrymore, Carrie Fisher, Jennifer Gray, Carrie
Hamilton (may she rest in peace), Jamie Lee Curtis, etc.  You may also
want to include stars like John Ritter, son of the legendary western
singer Tex Ritter.  I'm just thinking out loud (and guessing) but my
guess would be 20-30%.

funny that you only see a - "genetic", and b - "nepotism" (and not
constant exposure to the art). I wonder if this is due to the excess
and ego of some hollywood-type.  Your questions about sleeping with
stars comes closer to your nepotism point. It's nice when you know
someone. Especially if you have instant name recognition.
But talent my friend is never associated with anything but genetics
and upbringing - nature/nurtre.  You wouldn't find it odd if the son
of a successfull railroad man became a railroad man, or if the
daughter of a clothing manufacturer stayed in a similar line of work.

too bad these hollywood types are turning us all into egotistical
envious snobs.
we love to put them down, don't we. Especially if they lack a lot of
talent.

America loves a good failure.


Plenty of great actors make it with no family help.

Every trait is the result of the interaction between genetics and
environment.
Having said this howvere, I doubt genetics has much to do with actors
children becoming actors.
It probably has a lot more to do with knowing the right steps to that
career, from having seen it all your life. e.g. how do you get a
screen test, how do you go about finding an agent, who is a good
agent, how do you network, etc.
Most of us wouldn't have the foggiest idea where to begin, but if
you've been surrounded by it all your life you can just fall into it.
It's like getting a franchise for free.

Off the top of my head:

Angelina Jolie is the daughter of John Voight

Jeniffer Aniston's dad plays Victor on 'Young and the Restless'

Then there are the Sheens (and Emilio Estevez), the Arquettes, the
Barrymores, Fondas, Baldwins...

Kate Hudson's mother is Goldie Hawn

Gwyneth Paltrow's parents are involved in theatre (I think?)

Jamie Lee Curtis' dad is Tony Curtis

Lisa Marie Presley is obviously Elvis' daughter

Nicolas Cage is Francis Ford Coppola's nephew, and therefore Sophia
Coppola's cousin

Melanie Griffith's mum is Tippi Hedren (of Hitchcock movie fame)

I think either Elizabeth or Jade Jagger is taking on some minor movie
roles?

George Clooney is Rosemary Clooney's nephew

Tori Spelling's 'big break' was her dad's TV show 'Beverly Hills
90210'