# Did any enormously talented person have an equally enormously talented child? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 25, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244 "2012-06-25T14:45:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/21 "2012-06-25T16:45:26Z")
The \*\*Drews \*\*and \*\*Barrymores \*\*have been breeding insanely talented actors/producers since the 1820s. John Drew and Louisa Lane Drew; then John Drew, Jr., Georgie Drew Barrymore and her husband Maurice Barrymore; then John, Lionel and Ethel Barrymore; then an embarrassing generational lacuna; then Drew Barrymore. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/22 "2012-06-25T16:46:06Z")
John and Angelica Huston Carl and Rob Reiner ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/23 "2012-06-25T16:57:13Z")
An arguable 4-generation run of actors: [Maurice Barrymore](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Barrymore) begat [John Barrymore](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Barrymore)\* begat [John Drew Barrymore](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Drew_Barrymore) begat [Drew Barrymore](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Barrymore). John Drew is a bit of a speedbump, here. He was never as successful as his father, grandfather, or daughter, but, honestly, that’s not really a result of a lack of talent on his part, but rather being a pain to work with and having a tendency to ditch films and TV shows after getting cast. Still even taking out John Drew and Drew, we’ve got 2 generations. - Also [Lionel](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Barrymore) and [Ethel](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Barrymore), but we’re going for 4 generations here, not just 2. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/24 "2012-06-25T17:11:35Z")
More about world history than arts/sports, but [here’s a similar recent thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=640980) ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/25 "2012-06-25T17:12:25Z")
Father Son Holy Ghost From what I’ve heard they had some big accomplishments ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/26 "2012-06-25T17:15:06Z")
Well, there was Philip of Macedon and his son, Alexander. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/27 "2012-06-25T17:22:32Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > As Kinky Friedman puts it “No matter how good Hank Williams Jr. is, someone has to come up to him after every concert and say ‘You’re not as good as your daddy was.’” Clarification, please. Is Mr. Friedman _lamenting_ an established fact, or _proposing_ a new rule? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/28 "2012-06-25T17:28:02Z")
[Ed](http://a.images.blip.tv/Lbines-RetroVisionTheaterPresentsTheEdWynnShow160.jpg) and [Keenan](http://www.gonemovies.com/www/drama/drama/StrangeloveBat.jpg) Wynn. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/29 "2012-06-25T18:06:29Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > An arguable 4-generation run of actors: > > [Maurice Barrymore](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Barrymore) begat [John Barrymore](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Barrymore)\* begat [John Drew Barrymore](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Drew_Barrymore) begat [Drew Barrymore](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Barrymore). I think we simul-posted; you left out \*\*Louisa Lane Drew \*\*and **John Drew, Sr.,** two of the most successful performers/producers of the mid/late 19th century, and their daughter **Georgie Drew Barrymore** (John, Lionel & Ethel’s mom), one of the best light comic actresses of the 1870s-90s. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/30 "2012-06-25T18:12:16Z")
John Adams and John Quincy Adams. The rest of bthe Adams family weren’t slouches, either. Look at Sam Adams and JQ’s descendants. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/31 "2012-06-25T18:13:54Z")
Serge and Charlotte Gainsbourg? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/32 "2012-06-25T18:29:19Z")
> [@StusBlues](#): > > Also forgot to point out John Adams and John Q. Adams. Neither were among my favorites to hold the office, but as I said, POTUS is nothing to sneeze at. I think George W. Bush is a war criminal who should have been hung by his neck until dead by the World Court n the Hague for his role in the Iraq War. So, “sneeze” is just not the word. “Spit” is closer to accurate, and clearly, I dispute your thesis. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/33 "2012-06-25T18:30:39Z")
Johann Strauss Sr. and Johann Strauss Jr. John Raitt and Bonnie Raitt. And a few generations of Fords and Rockefellers and Ghandis ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/34 "2012-06-25T18:31:15Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > I think we simul-posted Or would have had I not got caught up reading the articles when I was getting the links, heh. > [@](#): > > you left out \*\*Louisa Lane Drew \*\*and **John Drew, Sr.,** two of the most successful performers/producers of the mid/late 19th century, and their daughter **Georgie Drew Barrymore** (John, Lionel & Ethel’s mom), one of the best light comic actresses of the 1870s-90s. Well, ‘left out’ would imply I knew about them more than in passing. I knew of them, sort of, but I’m really more familiar with the Barrymores, and the Drews only through them. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/35 "2012-06-25T18:33:29Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > Well, ‘left out’ would imply I knew about them more than in passing. I knew of them, sort of, but I’m really more familiar with the Barrymores, and the Drews only through them. I really hope Drew has kids who go into the business–the Barrymores/Drews make the Redgraves look like Johnny-Come-Latelys! ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/36 "2012-06-25T18:38:20Z")
Someone above stole my example of Carl Reiner (uniquely gifted successful comic actor) and Rob Reiner (crazily successful director. Look at his list of movies!). ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/37 "2012-06-25T18:39:11Z")
Johnny Cash and daughter Roseanne. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/38 "2012-06-25T18:40:07Z")
Lloyd, Jeff, and Beau Bridges ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/39 "2012-06-25T18:41:09Z")
Jim Croce and son Adrian. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244/40 "2012-06-25T18:42:28Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > I think George W. Bush is a war criminal who should have been hung by his neck until dead by the World Court n the Hague for his role in the Iraq War. So, “sneeze” is just not the word. “Spit” is closer to accurate, and clearly, I dispute your thesis. I must correct you, sir! The word is “hanged”–not “hung.” And I’ll add to the previously mentioned John & Angelica Huston–Walter Huston, John’s father. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-enormously-talented-person-have-an-equally-enormously-talented-child/626244.md?page=3)