Trying to find out what you want to do with your life can be hard. But it’s good when your family is in a certain business because it can open up doors for you or inspire you to follow in their footsteps. This is definitely true for celebrities who had a talent and followed in their parents’ footsteps of performing. Here are a list of a few celebs who were influenced by their parents talent to pursue their dreams in acting and music.
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Kelis
Though her father was a pastor, he was also a Jazz musician who performed in clubs at night. His talent for music rubbed off on his daughter who also performed in the church choir, and of course, sings and performs all over now.
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Sydney Poitier
The television and movie star, who is known for roles in Veronica Mars, Private Practice, and my favorite, the movie “Death Proof,” is the daughter of famed, legendary actor Sidney Poitier.
Kim, Jere, and Alexis Fields
Remember Penny’s abusive, iron-happy mother on Good Times? Well, she was Chip Fields, singer, actress, director and dialogue coach. When her children, Kim, Jere, and Alexis decided to go into the business, their mother probably made sure they were on point.
Aretha Franklin
Like Kelis, Franklin’s father was not only a pastor, but also a singer as well. Many members of Aretha Franklin’s family honed their singing skills in church, and Aretha did the same.
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Nona Gaye
This singer, actress and former model is also the daughter of late R&B legend Marvin Gaye. The actress went on to portray Zee in the final two films of “The Matrix” trilogy, and followed her father’s footsteps into singing in 1990.
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Cuba Gooding Jr and Omar Gooding
Cuba Gooding Jr. and Omar probably got their stage presence from their father, Cuba Sr. Their dad was the lead singer of the group “The Main Ingredient,” known for the single, “Everybody Plays the Fool.”
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Rashida Jones
Actress, writer, and singer, Rashida Jones’s father, Quincy Jones, is considered music royalty. Mr. Jones is a legend in the music industry and a mogul in his own right.
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Tracee, Rhonda and Evan Ross
These half-sibling actors are the children of famed icon Diana Ross. Tracee and Evan have both shared their mother’s work ethic, and has displayed their own talents in front of the camera. Evan has also followed in his mother’s footsteps by releasing a single in 2011 named “Yes Me.”
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Whitney Houston
The late, great Whitney was the daughter of famed gospel singer Cissy Houston. Whitney, like Aretha (who was a godmother to Whitney) molded her singing voice to the legendary one that still blasts through radios with her hits, and sang with her mother many times.
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Ben Stiller
Just to add an extra one, Ben Stiller is the son of Jerry Stiller (famed for being George Costanza’s father on Seinfeld, and Arthur on King of Queens) and Anne Meara (who acted on All in the Family and was Miranda’s mother in law in Sex and the City). Comedy runs in the family.
