15 Celebs' Kids Who Found Fame Without Their Parent's Name (And 5 Who Needed The Plug)

Growing up as a celebrity's child in Hollywood can have its perks. These kids get every advantage thrown at them. They have all the money in the world and could probably do just about anything that they want. Many of these kids of famous actors and actresses decided to follow in parent's footsteps.

Some of them decided to step out from behind their parent's shadow and make a name for themselves on their own. Although, they probably got their foot in the door thanks to their family. Yet. it wasn't their name that landed them the part or gave them notoriety. Some of these celebs go by their non-famous parent's last name. Others chose a completely new stage name to set them apart from their parents.

Then there are those stars who totally took advantage of their pedigree. If it weren't for the clout of taking on their parent's last name, they probably wouldn't have made it very far in Hollywood. It's nepotism in it's finest form and they have their famous parents to thank for their success. Please enjoy this list of celebrity kids who found fame without their parent's name, as well as those who definitely needed the plug.

20 Eva Amurri: Didn't Need Help From Mom, Susan Sarandon

Eva Amurri is the daughter of Susan Sarandon and forged her own way in the movie industry, despite having a different last name than her famous mom. It didn't hurt to have a mother that was famous, though. She appeared on both television and film alongside her mom and started acting as a child.

Together, they played mother and daughter on the soap opera, 'Days of Our Lives'.

They also went on to co-star in the film, The Banger Sisters. Eva carved a nitch of her own and landed roles in a few television series, such as Friends, Californication, and New Girl, just to name a few.

So, what was it like to grow up backstage with her mom at both political rallies and on movie sets as a child? Eva talked about the experience with the folks over at Today. “It kind of is almost like being part of the circus," Eva shared about her movie set visits. "There's something really fun and adventurous."

Although, she gave up acting to become a mom and a lifestyle blogger. According to Daily Mail, Eva said: "I just wanted to be putting my energy into something that I felt was just constructing something more positive in my life and for my daughter, especially," she said.

19 Elle King: Intentionally Didn't Use Rob Schneider's Name

It would have been really easy for Elle King to use her parent's connections to become famous. After all, her father is the comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member, Rob Schneider. Her mom also just so happens to be a former model, London King. Her real name is Tanner Elle Schneider, but she decided to change her name to Elle King to pursue a music career on her own terms.

"I wanted to be myself," she told ABC News. "I am my own person. It's not that I wanted to be a famous person. I wanted to be a performer," she said. "But I worked really hard and I did everything myself and I took a name that… is my mother's name… I took that name because I wanted to be myself."

The singer is pretty confident that her talent speaks for itself, despite being related to her famous father. "And, yeah, people know who my dad is," she added. "But I think that my voice and my music speaks for itself: that I am my own person."

She's right about that. The powerhouse performer's hit song, "Ex's and Oh's" reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the summer anthem for 2015.

18 Mamie Gummer: Forged Her Own Path Despite Being Meryl Streep's Daughter

The apple didn't fall far from the tree when it comes to Mamie Gummer. She is the daughter of Academy Award-winning actress, Meryl Streep. You probably know her as Nancy Crozier in The Good Wife or as Emily Owens in Emily Owens M.D. She co-starred alongside her mom in Ricki and the Flash.

She found all her success without using her famous mom's last name; born Mary Willa, Mamie had a desire to act from an early age.

“I was very bossy and I would put on these little shows that I would write and star in,” she said during an interview with The Telegraph. “They were very long, and didn't make much sense, but hey, people were looking at me!”

She's taken her acting career in stride and not rushed things, drawing inspiration from her mother. She spoke about how she's decided to take roles and her decision to wait until her 30's to start acting.

“There's been no plan. It's so hard to control,” she said. Also, like her mother, Mamie holds out for strong characters. “I'm not the kind of girl that a lot of roles are limited to when you're in your 20s. My face is not symmetrical. I don't look like Megan Fox.”

17 Colin Hanks: Got A Little Help From Dad, Tom Hanks

Colin Hanks has quite the Hollywood pedigree. His dad is Tom Hanks and his mom is the actress Rita Wilson. You might recognize him as "Jack Bailey" in the series, The Good Guys and as "Alex Whitman" in Roswell. His most recent role is playing Greg in the series, Life In Pieces. He has made a name for himself but it didn't hurt to share his dad's famous last name.

He spoke with SFGate about what auditions were like when he first started acting. "It's a super-doubled-edged sword," Colin said. "When I started out, it obviously got me a lot of auditions. But everything else was a downside: People already had expectations of what I was gonna be like and were eager to criticize anything I did."

He works hard to make a part his own. "A lot of people have said, 'Wow, you channeled your dad there,' " Colin said. "And I say, 'No, that's me. But because you know how my dad acts and traits he has, you see me and equate that to my dad. I can't help it," he continued. "We're all inevitably somewhat like our parents. And I'm not ashamed of it. That's who I am."

16 Kaia Gerber: With A Face Like That, She Didn't Need Cindy Crawford's Name

Kaia Gerber is the spitting image of her supermodel mom, Cindy Crawford. She's started modeling as well but did so without taking on her mother's famous name. Honestly though, when you're that stunning, you can probably do anything you want in life.

So, how does she feel about being a teenager in the grown-up world of modeling? She spoke to BYRDIE about growing up in the industry.

“I've literally always been a 40-year-old woman in a child's body,” she laughs.

“From when I was five, I would always hang out with my parents and their friends, so I get along with 50-year-olds perfectly. All of my friends have always been older than me.”

Yet, she doesn't let her fame go to her head: “When I'm not working, I'm a normal high school girl. I think separating it is good-my friends at school, we don't really talk about this side of my life.” She is currently enjoying her budding career. “I just don't want to close any doors for my career. I did an independent movie, and that was fun. I'm so young - who knows what I'll do one day? But this modeling thing is working right now. So I'm just going for it.”

15 Maya Rudolph: Found Fame Without The Help Of 70's Songstress Mom, Minnie Riperton

You may know Maya Rudolph as an actress and comedian who was on Saturday Night Live for eight years. You probably don't know that she is the daughter of the beloved soul singer Minnie Riperton, and songwriter, musician, and producer Richard Rudolph. Her mom sang the hit song, Loving You, and Maya reflected on her childhood in an interview with udiscovermusic.com.

“I always had a sense that my mom was doing something different and special, because I saw how people responded to her,” says Rudolph. “Her energy just had something to it that made people so happy. I remember people coming to our house as a kid and there was such a good feeling. Plus I had heard my mum sing, even as a kid I knew it was really good.”

Unfortunately, Minnie died of breast cancer when she was just 31-years-old but her spirit lives on in her music. “For many years of my life, it was too much” Maya admitted. “But then I grew up and I took such enormous pride in knowing that she really stands out as this individual, as this one-of-a-kind, gem of a human being, of a recording artist, of a performer and really… of a woman.”

14 Riley Keough: Daughter Of Lisa Marie Presley And Granddaughter To Elvis Made Her Own Way

Riley Keough comes from a long line of famous people but she really wants to start her own legacy. She just so happens to be the granddaughter of Elvis Presley. Her mom is Lisa Marie Presley and Micheal Jackson was once her step-dad. Yet, she has a drive that has nothing to do with her pedigree.

“I always wanted to have my own money - not my family's money,” the actress said during an interview with Esquire Magazine.

“I don't think any of it had to do with me being Elvis' granddaughter. None of my drive was 'I need to get away from my family legacy.'”

She began her career as a model but crossed over into acting in 2010 with her debut role as Marie Curie in the film, The Runaways. Riley went on to star in Magic Mike and Mad Max: Fury Road. She's made her way and done things on her terms.

Although, she does admit that she doesn't have to take just any part, thanks to her famous family. “You don't have to go on things you don't want to go on.” Riley added, “I don't care if I do one movie every two years. That's important."

13 Jaden Smith: Famous Because Of Dad, Will Smith

Jaden Smith is the son of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. He was ushered into fame by his parents and totally found success because of the celebrity family name. His acting career started off strong when he played alongside his dad in the 2006 drama The Pursuit of Happyness. Jaden then starred in the 2010 remake of The Karate Kid. It wasn't until he starred in the box office flop, After Earth, that his career took a sharp turn.

Will Smith spoke with Esquire about how guilty he felt that he had led Jaden to a misstep. "That was the most painful failure in my career," Will said about the panned movie during, revealing that it was far worse than his infamous bomb from 1999, Wild Wild West. "Wild Wild West was less painful than After Earth because my son was involved in After Earth, and I led him into it," he explained. "That was excruciating."

Jaden was then ridiculed after he rambled during an interview for the New York Times. When asked about the music that he creates, Jaden had a very narcissistic answer. “What's your job, what's your career? Nah, I am. I'm going to imprint myself on everything in this world.”

12 Mariska Hargitay: Found Her Way Without The Help Of Mom, Jane Mansfield

We all know Mariska Hargitay from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit but did you know that her mom was the blond bombshell, Jane Mansfield? Mariska was a tender 3-years-old when she lost her mother in a car accident in 1967. Yet, despite the loss, she grew up to become an actress on her own terms, refusing to go by her mother's name and keeping her hair dark.

She first starred on the nighttime soap Falcon Crest and later landed a role on the hospital drama, ER before finding her way to Law & Order.

Mariska sat down with People to talk about the memory of her famous mom. “My mother was this amazing, beautiful, glamorous s*s symbol - but people didn't know that she played the violin and had a 160 IQ and had five kids and loved dogs,” she says, tearing up a little. “She was just so ahead of her time. She was an inspiration, she had this appetite for life, and I think I share that with her.”

When asked about how she preserves her mom's legacy, Mariska is proud to carry her mother's spirit with her. “Someone once said about [remembering] my mother: 'All you have to do is look in the mirror,' ” she adds. “She's with me still.”

11 Carrie Fisher: Became Famous Without Using Debbie Reynold's Name

We can't talk about famous celeb kids without mentioning Carrie Fisher. She was the daughter of America's sweetheart, Debbie Reynolds, and crooner, Eddie Fisher. Carrie grew up in a Hollywood fishbowl and lived in her mom's shadow for much of her childhood.

She often joined her mother on stage as a teenager in her mom's stage shows. Carrie finally found her way when she landed the dream role of Princess Leia Organa in the George Lucas-directed sci-fi classic, Star Wars.

“I knew that something enormous was likely going to impact my life from this film and that there was absolutely no way of understanding what that was or was likely to be,” Fisher said last year in People's Star Wars special issue.

Carrie suffered a massive heart attack aboard an 11-hour flight from London to Los Angeles and passed away in December 2016. Her mother famously died days later. Carrie's brother Todd Fisher was interviewed about his sisters and tragic death and the loss of his mother. “She said she really wanted to be with Carrie,” he told ABC. “In those precise words, and within 15 minutes of that conversation she faded out and within 30 minutes, she technically was gone.”

10 Billie Lourd: Carrie Fisher's Daughter Used Her Father's Last Name

Carrie Fisher's daughter, Billie Lord, followed in her mom's footsteps and made her acting debut in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, playing Lt. Kaydel Ko Connix. After spending time on the set, Billie caught the acting bug and enjoyed her time on the shoot.

According to E!News, Billie was a guest on The Ellen Show and talked about how her mom felt about how much she liked being on the production lot, sharing that Carrie told her: “This is really weird that you're comfortable here; this is one of the most uncomfortable environments in the world. If you're comfortable here, you should do this… You should act.'"

When asked how it was to work with her mom, Billie only had good things to say.

"It was incredible. I'm a big believer in things happening for a reason, and I think I ended up in that movie for a reason," she told Ellen DeGeneres. "It was really incredible for us to get to have that experience together."

She also talked about what it was like to step out of her mom and grandmother's shadows after their deaths. “I love being my mother's daughter, and it's something I always will be, but now I get to be just Billie," she admitted.

9 Alexa Ray Joel: Got A Plug From Dad, Billy Joel

Being the daughter of model Christie Brinkley and singer, Billy Joel probably came with an immense amount of pressure. Alexa Ray Joel struggled to find her own voice and got some help from sharing her father's famous name. She tried her hand at performing her own songs and has a beautiful voice, but in the end, social anxiety pulled her away from the stage. During her first stint at the Carlyle, she fainted on stage one night.

During an interview with USA Today, she talked about how different she is from her father. "I was a late bloomer," Joel says. "I was not comfortable enough to put myself out there until I reached my mid-20s." Again, she brings up her father: "We have very different comfort zones, performance-wise. He's comfortable in a stadium - and obviously, he can play at that level; he's a legend. But even as I progress, I think I'd like to stick to intimate venues."

She also admitted that she struggled for a long time with "social anxiety in group situations." Instead, she studied musical theater at New York University for a year and now has a career as a songwriter for other artists "because I didn't want to go on stage and expose myself." Alexa said.

8 Dakota Johnson: Landed A Dream Role Without Using Melanie Griffith's Name

You can't find more Hollywood royalty than Dakota Johnson. She comes from three generations of celebrities. Her parents are Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. Her grandmother was Tippi Hedren, of the film, The Birds. Now Dakota plays Anastasia Steele of the 50 Shades of Gray franchise.

Being on set with her parents prepared her for the role.

“I was around for a lot of it and I would watch them. But there were also things I could see that I didn't want to, like watch my parents have s*x with other people. And there was a scene where my mom got slapped in the face. I lost my mind! I couldn't deal with that at all.” She admitted in an interview with NET-A-PORTER.

Dakota also discussed what it was like watching her mom get ready for awards shows as a child. “I'd try on all her dresses beforehand,” she shared. “I would watch her get ready for every Oscars and Golden Globes.”

How does she feel about being surrounded by celebrities? “I understood that my family was famous,” she says. “I saw the way it felt from the inside, and that put me off ever feeling like I was capable of gawking at someone because they were famous.”

7 Anderson Cooper: Became A Reporter Without Gloria Vanderbilt's Help

Anderson Cooper was a news correspondent on ABC and CNN before hosting his own show, Anderson Cooper 360. What you may not know is that he is the son of fashion designer, Gloria Vanderbilt. He is also a distant relative of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Anderson led a very glamorous childhood and rubbed elbows with celebrities from a very young age.

According to People, he was exposed to many interesting things as a child. “Few people's moms take them to Studio 54 when they're 11 years old and see Grace Jones perform. We went twice, actually,” he said during an interview.

When he became an adult, he finally realized he was lucky to have such a creative childhood, despite the fact that his mom was often absent and he spent much of his younger years alone.

“It didn't seem that unusual,” he admitted. “I mean, I think if you're raised in a forest, you think everybody lives in a forest. It didn't seem that unusual. It just seemed like, 'Oh, that's what happens.' And it's only until later on that you realize, 'Oh, wait a minute, not everybody has this. This is an amazing privilege and it was an incredible experience.'"

6 Lenny Kravitz: Rocked His Way To The Top Without Using Roxie Roker's Name

Lenny Kravtiz is a superstar and his debut album, Let Love Rule, was released in 1989. He lived a very privileged childhood as his dad was Sy Kravitz, a television producer, and his mom, Roxie Roker, played Helen Willis on the popular television sitcom The Jeffersons. He attended a music program at Beverly Hills High School.

As a child, he rubbed elbows with celebrities and had no idea that he was surrounded by some of the greatest talents of our time.

He shared a childhood memory with The New York Post about his parents taking him to the famous Rainbow Room in New York City.

“It was my fifth birthday and my parents took me to see Duke Ellington here. At the sound check, I sat on his lap and during the show, he and his band played 'Happy Birthday' to me. I remember it very well - he had very kind eyes. At the time, I didn't know the significance of Ellington - I just thought he was a nice guy!”

Lenny was determined to make it on his own and even lived in a car that he rented for $5 a day. He later met recording engineer, Henry Hirsh in New York City and the rest is history.

5 Zoe Kravitz: Found Fame Thanks To Dad, Lenny Kravtiz

Zoe Kravtiz has the coolest parents on the planet. She is the daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet. You can imagine that she led a very charmed life but according to an interview she did with Elle Magazine, her parents were pretty average.

“They were strict in the normal ways-bedtimes and eating my vegetables and cleaning my room and “Yes ma'am, no ma'am.” Zoe shared. “And then there was, of course, a bunch of extraordinary parts: being surrounded by extraordinary people, going to extraordinary places.”

When asked how she had everything handed to her because of her famous parents, she had a very honest response.”There were some things that were handed to me. I got an agent pretty quickly out of high school.” she admitted.

Yet, she also said that it only took her so far. “But once you get past that door-a hard door for a lot of people to open-a lot of directors don't care who your family is. When you're doing movies with Jodie Foster or Charlize Theron, you don't need the daughter of some celebrity to make the movie better. I spent years auditioning and not working and playing very small parts.” Zoe said.

4 Kate Hudson: Became A Rom-Com Queen Using Her Father's Last Name

Kate Hudson is the daughter of Goldie Hawn and step-dad, Kurt Russell. You might imagine that she lived the typical Beverly Hills lifestyle. While she was raised by two of Hollywood's most beloved actors, her parents made it a point to give Kate stability as a child.

Kate spoke to The Miami Herald about her childhood. “It wasn't exactly normal but as grounded I think as you could get. They moved us out of L.A. to Colorado [outside Aspen] when we were very young.” she shared.

The family made it a point to spend time in nature.

“We were outside riding dirt bikes, hiking, being in nature, doing chores. I actually have pretty tough parents. We are a very open family, we put everything on the table. Nothing was swept under the rug. Manners, politeness, working hard: Those were all things they took very seriously.” Kate said.

She got her big break when she landed the part of Penny Lane in Almost Famous and has been acting ever since. “I love making movies. It's a weird world when you're on set, almost like a circus with a fantastic group of people. Some people find it boring. I'm into it.” she said.

3 Gwyneth Paltrow: Blythe Danner's Daughter Claims To Be Self-Made

Gwyneth Paltrow is another Hollywood actress that had famous parents but didn't cling to her famous mother's name. Her mom is Blythe Danner and her dad was Bruce Paltrow. During an interview with Glamour Magazine, Gwyneth claimed that her parents told her that they would provide her a beautiful childhood, great education, and then she was on her own.

"It's the most motivating," Gwyneth said when asked about her career. “People think, 'She's just a rich kid.' Until I was 18, I was. Then I was broke. I've never taken a dime off my parents. I'm completely self-made.”

Of course, her first role was handed to her by Steven Spielberg when she was cast as Wendy in the film, Hook. She went on to become one of Hollywood's most sought-after actresses. When the fame started going to her head, Gwyneth admitted that her own father called her out on it.

"I remember my dad once sat me down when I was 25 or 26. I was in the middle of this storm of success, and my dad was like, "You're getting weird. I was like, 'Oh my God, I am… ' I mean, I got it. I thought I was so awesome for a minute.”

2 Angelina Jolie: Jon Voight Didn't Help Her Find Fame

Angelina Jolie is an Academy Award-winning actress who is the daughter of actor, Jon Voight. The two had a very tumultuous relationship while she was a child as he was unfaithful to her mother and the marriage ended in divorce. Radar Online broke a story about Angelina's younger years when they interviewed her childhood caregiver who exposed many secrets.

When asked what Angelina was like as a kid, the insider spilled the details. “She was a wild child. I knew she was always going to be a force to be reckoned with.” the insider said.

Angelina grew up in Los Angeles and didn't get along with other celebs' children.

"She didn't really like Beverly Hills High School. They used to call her 'Ubangi Lips'," the family friend dished. 'They made fun of her because of her lips and the girls were mean to her. She has these broad shoulders and long legs, she moved like a gazelle.”

Angelina had the last laugh and grew into herself. She landed a role in the film, Girl Interrupted and won an Oscar for her performance as the disturbed character, Lisa Rowe. She went on to become one of Hollywood's most beloved actresses and also became involved in charity work.

1 Miley Cyrus: Totally Got Famous Because Of Dad, Billy Ray Cyrus

Miley Cyrus has a very famous father: country singer and actor, Billy Ray Cyrus. Her big break came when she was cast as Disney's Hannah Montana alongside her daddy. If it hadn't been for him, her career may have never taken off. Her acting career blossomed and she went on to star in The Last Song with her fiancé, Liam Hemsworth.

Miley's true claim to fame was when she performed a duet with Robin Thicke at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards. She caused quite a stir when she twerked her way across the stage. America was shocked by her lewd moves.

Although, it didn't seem to phase Billy Ray, at all. E!News spoke with Miley's dad on the red carpet for the VMAs. "We've always been very open-minded," said her dad Billy Ray Cyrus "Listen, it's all about love and light. Forget the negativity and the haters."

He also gave insight into the ways he and his wife raised Miley. "Even when she was a little girl, we told her, 'Hey, baby, do what you do and have fun doing it. Do it because you love it, not because you have to,'" Billy Ray said. "Seeing her happy is the greatest thing ever."

References: Today.com, Abcnews.go.com, Telegraph.co.uk, Sfgate.com, Udiscovermusic.com, Esquire.com, Tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com, Usatoday.com, Eonline.com, Usatoday.com, Net-a-porter.com, Nypost.com, Elle.com, Miamiherald.com, Glamour.com, Radaronline.com