In 1992, the Ms. Foundation for Women created a new national event called Take Our Daughters to Work Day. The program (which was later changed to Take Our Children to Work Day to be more inclusive) was designed to help kids get a glimpse into the working world and to better understand what their working parents do all day. While lots of companies and offices have participated in this program, the truth is that celebrity parents have been basically doing this for decades.
Actors can have long stretches of time away from their families when they are filming movies and TV shows, so it makes sense that they would want their kids to visit them on set. And while they are on set, why not have them film a quick scene or two? We imagine that it’s fun for the kids to get a chance to see what the whole acting thing is all about, and it can turn a film or TV show into a family memory. And for some future nepo babies, that first cameo can also be the start to a longer acting career of their very own.
Cute celebrity kid cameos can even become a family tradition — just ask stars like Angelina Jolie and Will Smith, whose children have made multiple cameos in their long careers. Scroll on for more examples of the moments when acting was a family business.
Willow Smith in 'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa'
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s family is filled with performers, and daughter Willow and son Jaden have had the chance to appear in movies with their famous parents. Willow even got to play a younger version of her mother (or at least a younger version of her mother’s voice) when they voiced the character Gloria the Hippo in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.
Angelina Jolie in 'Lookin' To Get Out'
Angelina Jolie is a massive movie star in her own right, but she actually got her start in a small scene in a 1982 movie called Lookin’ To Get Out which starred her father, Jon Voight. It turns out that having kids make an appearance in a parent’s movie will end up being something of a family tradition for Angelina.
Vivienne Jolie-Pitt in 'Maleficent'
Angelina Jolie is always gorgeous, but she was a little scary in the 2014 movie Maleficent, so it was reportedly a bit of a challenge to find a toddler child actor who wouldn’t get timid around her. The obvious solution? Cast a kid who is already very comfortable around her: Angelina’s own daughter Vivienne.
Elizabeth Hanks in 'Forrest Gump'
There are many scenes in the classic movie Forrest Gump that tug on our heartstrings. One of them is the moment in the school bus when a little girl refuses to let a young Forrest sit next to her. Fun fact: That girl was played by star Tom Hanks’ own daughter, Elizabeth.
Mark Hamill's Kids in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'
Mark Hamill is the proud father of three adult children, and fans got to see a quick glimpse of the trio in the 2017 movie Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Nathan, Chelsea, and Griffin Hamill all played rebel soldiers in that installment of the film franchise that made their dad famous.
John David Washington in 'Malcolm X'
Another rising star in his own right is John David Washington, son of Denzel Washington. John David — who has now appeared in 13 movies including a starring role in Tenet — got his first credit as “student in Harlem classroom” in his father’s iconic 1992 film Malcolm X.
Gia Lopez in 'Holiday in Santa Fe'
Actor and TV host Mario Lopez got the chance to share the screen (and a bit of choreography) with his preteen daughter, Gia. The two busted a movie in the Lifetime Christmas movie Holiday in Santa Fe, where she played the role of niece to Mario’s lead character.
Harley Quinn Smith in 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'
Harley Quinn Smith is the daughter of actor and director Kevin Smith. Kevin is perhaps best known for his role as Silent Bob in several films including Clerks, Mallrats, and Chasing Amy. Harley Quinn appeared as the baby version of Silent Bob in the 2001 movie Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and now she has a budding acting career of her own.
So Many Cameos in 'Thor: Love and Thunder'
The filming of the movie Thor: Love and Thunder was totally a family affair. Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, and Taika Waititi all had their kids in there as extras or in cameo roles. That must have been a fun set!
Rumer Willis in 'Striptease'
Rumer Willis, now 34 years old, is the oldest child of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis. She had a small part in her mother’s controversial film Striptease, playing a familiar role: Demi’s daughter! Since then, Rumer has gone on to act in a few more films, but not at the scale of either of her parents.
Alice Richmond in '30 Rock'
Alice Richmond is the daughter of comedian Tina Fey, and not only did she apparently get her mother’s face (look at what a clone she is!), but apparently she also got her sense of humor. She played a young Liz Lemon in an episode of 30 Rock — and she nailed the signature eye roll.
Sage Stallone in 'Rocky V'
Sage Stallone was 14 years old when he had an extended cameo playing his father Sylvester Stallone’s son in Rocky V. Sage was hoping to have a career in the film industry and had further roles, but sadly died of heart problems when he was only 36.
Maude & Iris Apatow in 'This Is 40'
Director Judd Apatow and actress Leslie Mann are parents to daughters Maude (now 25 years old) and Iris (now 20), both of whom appeared in the film This Is 40. The film was directed by Judd and stars Leslie, so it’s a total family project.
Taylor Dearden in 'Breaking Bad'
Most people probably wouldn’t describe Breaking Bad as a family-friendly show, but star Bryan Cranston was still able to turn it into “take your child to work day” at least once. His daughter, Taylor, appeared in an episode with the credit as “sad-faced girl.”
Trey Smith in 'Just the Two of Us'
Will Smith has three children, including son Trey. While siblings Willow and Jaden have lived mostly in the limelight as they’ve pursued careers in the entertainment industry, Trey has also had his fair share of cameos. He appeared in a quick scene in Men in Black and starred in his dad’s 1998 music video for Just the Two of Us.
