Old Hollywood: Grandchildren of Classic Film Stars

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Have you ever wondered if classic film stars passed down their acting genes to their children or their grandchildren? Ever wonder if their legacy or their amazing genes were passed down to another generation? I can't help myself wonder if people's legacies lived on in their grandchildren. I find genetics and ancestry constantly intriguing. When I look at my children I see myself and my husband and then I find something that my mother had or my husband's grandfather had. It's wonderful, exciting, and thrilling to see how we can live on not only in our children but our grandchildren as well.

I found a few grandchildren of well known (and some not so much) classic film actors. Above is an exception, its the famous director of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and A Streetcar Named Desire, Elia Kazan. In the photo he is paired with his granddaughter, Zoe Kazan who is an up and coming actress.

Charlie Chaplin, although deceased, has over 26 grandchildren. Many of his children (8 are still alive, three have passed on) married people from various ethnicities from French to Spanish to Trinidadian but his and Oona's genes are strong and each grandchild (you can find about 5-6 online easily) has something of Charlie's that is distinctive. Picture above is Charlie with his grandson James Thierree who is half French and a professional circus performer. He has his grandad's hair! Amazing!

I have always thought that Errol Flynn was insanely handsome. I found out that his grandson, Sean Flynn (named after his late uncle Sean Flynn the photojournalist) is an actor and was on a show called Zoey 101 on the Disney Channel. The resemblance is uncanny!

I just adore Drew Barrymore. She has come a long way with her life and she is definitely one to admire. She also comes from a long line of actors and performers which you can see more of HERE. Her grandfather was John Barrymore who was also known for his stunning profile.

Clark Gable passed on before the birth of his son, John Clark Gable. He never knew his son or his grandchildren but yet the smoldering good looks has been passed on to his grandson, Clark James Gable who is a television host.

Angelica Huston's father was legendary film director John Huston, but did you know that the lineage of acting stardom actually began with her paternal grandfather, Walter Huston? He began his acting career in 1929 but prior to that was in vaudeville and theater.

Henry Fonda's granddaughter is Bridget Fonda who was in the film Point of No Return and Single White Female. Her father is Peter Fonda (Easy Rider) and her aunt is Jane Fonda (Barbarella).

The original Mr. McDreamy, Gregory Peck. In every interview I read of him or seen of him, he seemed like the quintessential gentleman. Dreamy, indeed! Mr. Peck has without a doubt passed down his dreaminess to his grandson, Ethan Peck who also happens to be an actor.

Elizabeth Taylor had ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren when she passed on in 2011. One of her granddaughters is pictured above. Her name is Naomi deLuce Wilding, who is a fashion stylist. You can read more about her HERE.

Audrey Hepburn's first son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer's daughter, Emma Kathleen Ferrer has made her debut in fashion as a model. Lucky girl to be able to call Audrey her grandma! You can read more about her HERE.

The last grandchild on my list is Steven R. McQueen who is the grandson of Steve McQueen. They look so much alike. Aren't genes fascinating?! Steven is also an actor and can be seen on the show The Vampire Diaries.

Which grandparent and grandchild pairing did you find the most interesting or surprising? There are so many grandchildren of classic film stars out there but of course unless they are in the limelight somehow it would be terribly difficult to find out who they are or even what they look like.

I did find out that Joan Crawford's grandson, Casey LaLonde participates on a website about his famous grandmother. If you are interested in reading more you can look at the site HERE.

Check out Old Hollywood: Grandchildren of Classic Film Stars: Part II

Are there any classic film stars that you wonder if they had any children or grandchildren? Wonder if their legacy lived on in some way beyond the lights and glimmer of Hollywood?