"It's not what you know, it's who you know." ... Said by everyone.
I believe in subtle nepotism. If we can't help our own flesh and blood, then what's the matter with us? If we own our own company, then, yes, let's help our children carry on the family business. If we're in show business, what the heck, how is that different?
Here are a 13 high-profile show business types (actors, news reporters and celebrities-at-large) who may or may not have had a little help from their very successful relatives ... and we're okay with that.
The Huffington Post has a penchant for solid pop culture trivia.
Bryce Dallas Howard/Ron Howard
![ron howard and bryce dallas howard]()
Bryce Dallas Howard, 34, won me over with her performance in "The Help." I don't care who her father is, she absolutely nailed her portrayal of the sassy snob Hilly Holbrook in that 2011 period drama. I had absolutely no idea who she was until they rolled the credits. The beautiful actress did seem to pay her dues along the way, however, playing small roles in films and stage appearances. Maybe daddy, Ron Howard, paved the way with his highly successful acting career (think Opie and Richie Cunningham) and has proven himself to be one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood ("A Beautiful Mind,""Apollo 13,""The Da Vinci Code"), but the "Jurassic World" actress is making a name for herself because of her talent, not because her father waved a magic wand.
Jenna Bush Hager/President and Mrs. George W. Bush
![jenna bush hager and george bush]()
Jenna Bush Hager, 33, began her journalism career with NBC's "Today Show" looking a bit like a deer in headlights while she was reading the teleprompter introducing her segment in her first few appearances. She has, happily, turned into an elegant swan, gracefully transitioning from reporting to hosting when regular anchors take a break. Hager's high-profile parents, Laura and George W. Bush, may have gotten her noticed by the network brass (I'm thinking), but, it appears that patience and hard work during her transition from teacher to special correspondent for the "Today Show" and contributor to "NBC Nightly News" has paid off. She is totally adorable, personable, fun to watch and ... she's definitely got game!
Mamie Gummer/Meryl Streep
![mamie gummer and meryl streep]()
Okay, so your mother is Meryl Streep and you want to be an actress. Dear God. Now what? Maybe you inherited the goods. Maybe not. In this case, yes, it appears that Mamie Gummer, 32, -- the "Ricki and the Flash" actress -- did indeed inherit the Academy Award winner's acting gene. Did mommy pull some strings? Don't know. Don't care. If you've got it, flaunt it. She has, and she does. Good work. Carry on. (Okay, Streep did manage to get her 20-month-old daughter her first film role in 1986. A little film called "Heartburn" with Jack Nicholson. Satisfied?)
Ronan Farrow/Mia Farrow and Woody Allen ... or Frank Sinatra
![ronan farrow and mia]()
I don't know who Ronan Farrow's daddy is, but my money is on Frank. (Have you SEEN him?) That's totally beside the point here. Ronan, 27, hosted his own show, "Ronan Farrow Daily" (2014-2015) on MSNBC because ... why? He must know a lot of inside people. Rough around the edges in the beginning but I actually thought he did a great job after his sea legs kicked in -- very knowledgeable and personable. Unfortunately, his show was canceled, but he's being utilized by NBC as a reporter-at-large. He's a keeper so watch for him to show up more often on the "Today Show"... or somewhere inside a network near you.
Jaden & Willow Smith/Will & Jada Pinkett Smith
![jaden smith and will smith]()
Are Jaden and Willow Smith talented? Yes, yes they are. Did mama Jada and papa Will give them a little boost to help their show business careers along? Maybe they did. Maybe they didn't. Does that even matter
I believe in subtle nepotism. If we can't help our own flesh and blood, then what's the matter with us? If we own our own company, then, yes, let's help our children carry on the family business. If we're in show business, what the heck, how is that different?
Here are a 13 high-profile show business types (actors, news reporters and celebrities-at-large) who may or may not have had a little help from their very successful relatives ... and we're okay with that.
The Huffington Post has a penchant for solid pop culture trivia.
Bryce Dallas Howard/Ron Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard, 34, won me over with her performance in "The Help." I don't care who her father is, she absolutely nailed her portrayal of the sassy snob Hilly Holbrook in that 2011 period drama. I had absolutely no idea who she was until they rolled the credits. The beautiful actress did seem to pay her dues along the way, however, playing small roles in films and stage appearances. Maybe daddy, Ron Howard, paved the way with his highly successful acting career (think Opie and Richie Cunningham) and has proven himself to be one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood ("A Beautiful Mind,""Apollo 13,""The Da Vinci Code"), but the "Jurassic World" actress is making a name for herself because of her talent, not because her father waved a magic wand.
Jenna Bush Hager/President and Mrs. George W. Bush
Jenna Bush Hager, 33, began her journalism career with NBC's "Today Show" looking a bit like a deer in headlights while she was reading the teleprompter introducing her segment in her first few appearances. She has, happily, turned into an elegant swan, gracefully transitioning from reporting to hosting when regular anchors take a break. Hager's high-profile parents, Laura and George W. Bush, may have gotten her noticed by the network brass (I'm thinking), but, it appears that patience and hard work during her transition from teacher to special correspondent for the "Today Show" and contributor to "NBC Nightly News" has paid off. She is totally adorable, personable, fun to watch and ... she's definitely got game!
Mamie Gummer/Meryl Streep
Okay, so your mother is Meryl Streep and you want to be an actress. Dear God. Now what? Maybe you inherited the goods. Maybe not. In this case, yes, it appears that Mamie Gummer, 32, -- the "Ricki and the Flash" actress -- did indeed inherit the Academy Award winner's acting gene. Did mommy pull some strings? Don't know. Don't care. If you've got it, flaunt it. She has, and she does. Good work. Carry on. (Okay, Streep did manage to get her 20-month-old daughter her first film role in 1986. A little film called "Heartburn" with Jack Nicholson. Satisfied?)
Ronan Farrow/Mia Farrow and Woody Allen ... or Frank Sinatra
I don't know who Ronan Farrow's daddy is, but my money is on Frank. (Have you SEEN him?) That's totally beside the point here. Ronan, 27, hosted his own show, "Ronan Farrow Daily" (2014-2015) on MSNBC because ... why? He must know a lot of inside people. Rough around the edges in the beginning but I actually thought he did a great job after his sea legs kicked in -- very knowledgeable and personable. Unfortunately, his show was canceled, but he's being utilized by NBC as a reporter-at-large. He's a keeper so watch for him to show up more often on the "Today Show"... or somewhere inside a network near you.
Jaden & Willow Smith/Will & Jada Pinkett Smith
Are Jaden and Willow Smith talented? Yes, yes they are. Did mama Jada and papa Will give them a little boost to help their show business careers along? Maybe they did. Maybe they didn't. Does that even matter