When Moms and Kids Share the Screen: A Look at Hollywood’s Family Acting Dynasties

From Uma Thurman and her daughter Maya Hawke in "The Kill Room" to Andie MacDowell and Margaret Qualley in "Maid," we explore some of Hollywood's mother-daughter acting duos.

For some children growing up in Hollywood, following in their parents’ footsteps in the entertainment industry seems like the natural thing to do. With the success of parents in the same field, it’s no wonder that many kids of celebrities have gone on to create an established career of their own in acting. But what’s even more intriguing is when mothers and their children have worked together on the big screen.

From a small cameo to a leading role, it’s always fascinating to see a real-life family act as characters on the screen. And there are quite a few celebrity moms who have acted with their children over the years, creating some unforgettable performances. Here are a few of our favorites:

  1. Andie MacDowell and Margaret Qualley

MacDowell’s daughter, Margaret Qualley, who she shares with ex-husband Paul Qualley, has become a rising star in the entertainment industry. Qualley stars in the hit Netflix show “Maid,” for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Alex, a single mother who takes on a job as a maid to support her young daughter after leaving her abusive boyfriend.

MacDowell also stars in “Maid” as Paula, Alex’s mother. Both actresses have discussed what it was like working with each other for the limited series television show.

  1. Uma Thurman and Maya Hawke

Maya Hawke, the daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, rose to fame after joining the cast of the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things” to play Robin Buckley. Hawke will now star alongside her mother in the upcoming summer 2023 thriller “The Kill Room.”

Director Quentin Tarantino has even floated the possibility of casting Hawke to play Thurman’s on-screen daughter in “Kill Bill: Vol. 3,” if the movie comes to fruition.

  1. Leslie Mann with Maude and Iris Apatow

Leslie Mann has worked with both of her daughters in a number of films. Mann shares daughters Maude and Iris Apatow with filmmaker husband Judd Apatow. All three movies starring Mann and her daughters were directed by Judd Apatow, and they played significant roles in each.

In “This is 40,” Maude and Iris played daughters Sadie and Charlotte, respectively. Both daughters also appeared in “Knocked Up” and “Funny People.” Maude went on to star in the television drama series “Euphoria,” where she played Lexi Howard.

It’s heartwarming to see these mother-daughter pairs bring their real-life connection to the big screen, adding an extra layer of depth to their performances. Perhaps we’ll see even more family acting dynasties in Hollywood in the future.