1. Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper, the well-known CNN anchor, comes from the Vanderbilt family. His mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, was a famous fashion designer and socialite. The Vanderbilts were one of America’s wealthiest families, making Anderson’s upbringing quite luxurious.
2. Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, famous for her role in “Seinfeld,” comes from a very wealthy family. Her father, Gérard Louis-Dreyfus, chaired the Louis Dreyfus Company, a global commodities trading firm. So, she’s always had a cushion to fall back on.
3. Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is another star who didn’t start from scratch. Her mother, Joan Grande, is the CEO of Hose-McCann Communications, a company that manufactures communications equipment. This definitely set Ariana up for success.
4. Edward Norton
Edward Norton, known for his roles in “Fight Club” and “American History X,” comes from a wealthy background. His grandfather, James Rouse, was a famous real estate developer and urban planner. Norton’s family has long been involved in significant business ventures.
5. Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase, the comedy legend, also hails from a well-to-do family. His father was a prominent book editor and magazine writer, and his mother was a concert pianist. Growing up, Chevy had access to resources that many could only dream of.
6. Carly Simon
Carly Simon, the iconic singer-songwriter, is the daughter of Richard L. Simon, co-founder of the publishing giant Simon & Schuster. Her family’s success in the publishing world gave her a head start in her musical career.
7. Paul Giamatti
Paul Giamatti, known for his roles in “Sideways” and “Billions,” is the son of A. Bartlett Giamatti, a former Yale University president and Major League Baseball commissioner. His family’s academic and professional achievements are impressive.
8. Bryce Dallas Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard, star of “Jurassic World,” is the daughter of famed director Ron Howard. Growing up in Hollywood royalty certainly opened doors for her in the entertainment industry.
9. Kyra Sedgwick
Kyra Sedgwick, known for her role in “The Closer,” comes from a wealthy family. Her father was a venture capitalist, and her mother was a speech teacher and family therapist. This solid background provided her with numerous opportunities.
10. Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields, the model and actress, was born into affluence. Her father was an executive at Revlon, and her family had ties to Italian royalty. Brooke’s privileged upbringing helped launch her early career in modeling and acting.
11. Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal, star of “Donnie Darko” and “Nightcrawler,” comes from a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry. His father is a director, and his mother is a screenwriter. This Hollywood lineage certainly paved the way for his acting career.
12. Rooney Mara
Rooney Mara, known for her role in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” is from a very wealthy family. Her father’s family founded the Pittsburgh Steelers, and her mother’s family founded the New York Giants. Talk about a winning combination!
13. Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson, star of “Almost Famous,” is the daughter of actress Goldie Hawn and musician Bill Hudson. Growing up surrounded by Hollywood stars gave her a unique advantage in the entertainment industry.