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30 Celebrities You Didn't Realize Were Related

by Sarah Bunton

In today's media, all things pop culture reign supreme and practically anything you would want to know about a public figure is only a Google search away. Yet there are still some things you'd be surprised to find out about stars and their family. For instance, there are probably plenty of celebrities you didn't realize were related. Though many famous parents and siblings — like O'Shea Jackson and his dad Ice Cube or Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen — are well known, there are just as many who aren't.

Sometimes a shared last name or a striking facial resemblance can be a dead giveaway, but there are some celebs who you might not believe are related at first glance. It's one thing for an actor or singer to have a relative that lives life out of the spotlight, but it can be quite shocking when two people who are both famous also happen to lay claim to the same family tree.

So if you want to impress new people at social gatherings, excel in pop culture trivia games, or just add some random pop culture factoids to your conversation starter repertoire, then check out some of these celebrities you didn't realize were related.

1

Melissa McCarthy and Jenny McCarthy

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It makes sense that these two funny ladies would share some genes, since comedy seems to run in their blood. Melissa McCarthy and Jenny McCarthy are cousins, and the two have shown support for each other many times.

2

Redfoo and Berry Gordy

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Motown legend, Berry Gordy, passed his musical traits down to son, Stefan Gordy, better known as Redfoo and one half of the duo, LMFAO.

3

Tom Cruise and William Mapother

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If you couldn't tell by looking at them, there's clearly a resemblence there and it turns out to be more than skin deep. Tom Cruise and William Mapother are cousins and it makes a little more sense when you know that Cruise dropped his original last name, Mapother.

4

Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez

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Speaking of name changes, Ramon Estevez reportedly opted to use the stage name, Martin Sheen, due to prejudice against Hispanics in the acting realm during the 1950s. Sheen went on to have four children who became part of the industry, but most notable are Emilio Estevez and his younger brother, Charlie Sheen. Estevez claims he kept the family name simply because he didn't like how "Emilio Sheen" looked.

5

Rashida Jones and Quincy Jones

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Proving that race is still an issue in Hollywood, Rashida Jones famously discussed in Glamour about being judged for her mixed-race heritage. Thankfully the world is moving forward and Jones is clearly open and proud of her father, legendary music producer, Quincy Jones, and her mother, Peggy Lipton.

6

Lily Allen and Alfie Allen

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Some of you might remember Lily Allen's hit single, "Alfie" from her debut studio album, Alright, Still, where she bemoans her younger brother's annoying habits. But instead of thinking of Lily and Alfie Allen as siblings, most probably recognize him as Theon Greyjoy from Game of Thrones.

7

Emma Roberts, Eric Roberts, and Julia Roberts

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OK this one might get a bit tricky. Emma Roberts, best known for her roles on American Horror Story and Scream Queens, is the daughter of actor, Eric Roberts (The Expendables, Lost Girl). She also happens to be the neice of Julia Roberts, who is Eric Robert's younger sister.

8

Dakota Johnson and Melanie Griffith

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Dakota Johnson, who skyrocketed to fame from Fifty Shades of Grey, was actually no stranger to the spotlight. Johnson's mother happens to be Melanie Griffith.

9

Schuyler Fisk and Sissy Spacek

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Singer-songwriter and actress, Schuyler Fisk has the distinct privilege to call Sissy Spacek her mother. Side by side, you can totally tell that the two look alike.

10

Angelina Jolie and Jon Voight

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Though the pair may have had some controversial moments in the media, it seems daughter, Angelina Jolie, and her father, Jon Voight, have been getting along just fine recently.

11

Stella McCartney and Paul McCartney

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Famous fashion designer Stella McCartney doesn't just share a last name with a famous Beatle, he's her dad. Count me in with the group who genuinely thought the surname was just a coincedence, but clearly it's not.

12

Eva Amurri Martino and Susan Sarandon

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If last names can sometimes be clues to who's related, then you'd probably have a hard time guessing that these two leading women were related. In fact, Californicaiton star Eva Amurri Martino is the daughter of Susan Sarandon and she totally has her eyes.

13

Brian Williams and Allison Williams

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The Girls star grew up in an around the industry, as Allison Williams is the daughter of Brian Williams, the well-known television broadcaster. Though neither has been silent about their relationship, it's not exactly well known, either.

14

Chris Elliott and Abby Elliott

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This one made me do a double-take, if I'm being honest. It turns out these Saturday Night Live alums share more than just work history. Chris Elliott is the father of Abby Elliott, who clearly inherited his comedic genes.

15

Liev Schreiber and Pablo Schreiber

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Liev Schreiber famously played the role of brother to Hugh Jackman in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. But it turns out he has a famous half-brother in real life. The actor who is probably better known to most as "Pornstache" on Orange Is The New Black, is Pablo Schreiber, the younger brother of Liev and they share the same father.