# Talentless people riding on a family member's fame. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 3, 2002, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202 "2002-06-03T17:48:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Canyon\_Surfer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Canyon\_Surfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canyon_Surfer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/41 "2002-06-05T17:58:21Z")
One of the first names that came to mind was Mark Thatcher, son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. He got lost in the Sahara desert while competing in the Paris-Dakar rally. IIRC he also received millions for being involved in an arms deal with Iraq brokered by his mum. I searched for information about the Sahara desert incident and came across [this](http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_821000/821769.stm) MT is mentioned at the end of the article but it’s interesting to read about the kids of the other people as well. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/42 "2002-06-05T19:38:18Z")
My vote: The Novelist Tabitha King ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/43 "2002-06-05T23:20:57Z")
Not to say he is devoid of all talent, but would we know who Jim Belushi was if it weren’t for John? Speaking of John/Julian Lennon…Paul McCartney has a brother who cut a couple of records, Mike McGear. I think he had an awkward time because he really did try to distance himself from Paul, but it couldn’t be kept secret that he was Paul’s brother, and he ended up being perceived as a flake who was riding on Paul’s success- so his career went nowhere. > **[AllMusic | Record Reviews, Streaming Songs, Genres & Bands](https://www.allmusic.com/)** > > AllMusic provides comprehensive music info including reviews and biographies. Get recommendations for new music to listen to, stream or own. (He looks nothing like Paul, and would be ideal as an impersonator of a “Bleeding Kansas” John Brown in the pic - yes I majored in history.) And Baboon, since Enrique Iglesias was mentioned, may I add Cristian Castro? His mom sure has both of her talents still intact though, and she must be over 50. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/44 "2002-06-05T23:34:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AHunter3 \* > \*\*I see thread title and think “Natalie Cole”. I do a quick text-search and discover that the only person who has posted her name claims she _does_have talent. > > 😕 > > Maybe she knits or waterskis proficiently? \*\* OK…it was me who put her name under “talent”…and yes, I hedged when putting her name down. In retrospect though, you might be right…plus, like many other celebrity kids with borderline talent, she threw up her free lunch by bottoming out and selling her body for drugs. Recently seeing the light, she is now trying to re-start her “career”. Hence, like any good French judge at the Olympics, I recant my vote and now revoke Natalie Cole’s name from my “talent” list above. Thank you for keeping me honest, AHunter3. ---
**Author:** ![Netbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71e660/32.png) [@Netbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Netbrian)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/45 "2002-06-06T00:01:32Z")
What about the current CEO of Disney? I’d say that is the most blatant example of this I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/46 "2002-06-06T12:45:57Z")
Jason Connery (Sean’s son). I’ve seen a few of his films, he no impression on me, regardless of the role. Neil Connery (Sean’s brother, but I think he only made the one film) Don Swayze. Lana Wood (Natalie’s sister, but she sure was hot!) Casey Wagner (Robert’s daughter) a host on the TV Guide Channel and was in _Dill Scallion_ playing a country music VJ, basically another host. Every son of Kirk Douglas but Michael. Jimmy Kimmel cousin (forgot his name). Oh wait, Jimmy Kimmel isn’t talented either. BTW, **astorian** , Frank Sinatra Jr. is famous for getting kidnapped in the 1960s. But no talent needed there either. ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2002, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/47 "2002-06-07T00:37:52Z")
Sorry, that Katie Wagner, not Casey Wagner. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2002, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/48 "2002-06-07T01:08:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by widdershins \* > \*\*Neil Connery (Sean’s brother, but I think he only made the one film) \*\* Ooh, ooh! _Operation Kid Brother_ AKA _Operation Double 007_, an MST3K classic!! “Prepare to meet Kali’s brother. Near Hell!!” ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2002, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/49 "2002-06-07T01:57:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by widdershins \* > \*\* > BTW, **astorian** , Frank Sinatra Jr. is famous for getting kidnapped in the 1960s. But no talent needed there either. \*\* In 1998 he took court action to prevent his kidnappers from profiting from a movie about the kidnapping. A few years ago I read an article about Frank jr that led me to believe that he was hindered in his career by being Frank’s son. People would see him and automatically compare him to dad even though jr was primarily a lounge jazz singer. He is a trained composer/arranger and was for many years his father’s musical director. Other than hiring him for this gig, his father did nothing to aid his musical career. I imagine since he’s still performing he just likes the job. On the opposite side of the OP, Al Jolson paid his brother a lifetime salary to stay out of showbusiness, because he wasn’t up to Al’s lofty standards. ---
**Author:** ![stockton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@stockton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stockton)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2002, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/50 "2002-06-07T02:07:52Z")
Check out this cast: [http://us.imdb.com/Title?0081071](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0081071) And I forgot: Cusacks can act. Both are great. I also forgot: Stallone’s son: Can’t act. Stallone’s brother Frank: Can’t sing. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2002, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/51 "2002-06-07T03:35:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lyllyan \* > \*\ ***Bad News Baboon** > Lorna Luft is Judy Garland’s other daughter. Most of her filmography revolves around her famous mom. \*\* Imagine the shame of being even _less_ talented than Liza! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Creant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Miss\_Creant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Creant)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2002, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/52 "2002-06-07T03:40:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LifeOnWry \* > \*\*Talia Shire is Nic Cage’s aunt, and both are Francis Ford Copolla’s relations – I think Talia’s a sister, which would make Cage a grandchild. > > The Culkin’s aunt is Bonnie Bedelia, right? Not sure how talented I think she is herself. On the other hand, I kinda like Kate Hudson. I think Jakob Dylan is MORE talented than his dad. I think Julian Lennon is AS talented as his dad. I think the gals that made up the Wilson/Phillips group had to be smokin’ something to think they had one billionth of their parents’ talents. \*\* HYJACK **LifeOnWry** , where the hell have you been!?!?!? Did we frighten you in October? ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2002, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/53 "2002-06-07T05:39:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by stockton \* > I also forgot: > Stallone’s son: Can’t act. > Stallone’s brother Frank: Can’t sing. But collectively: can dance a little. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2002, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/54 "2002-06-07T12:20:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cuate \* > \*\* > And Baboon, since Enrique Iglesias was mentioned, may I add Cristian Castro? His mom sure has both of her talents still intact though, and she must be over 50. \*\* isnt his dad famous too? I am thinking its Loco Valdez for some reason. I saw previews for a movie a while ago. It had Jack black in it. I think it was Orange County. I swear, they mentioned it twicce: …And Tom Hank’s son as… wow. what a way to start the downward slide. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/55 "2002-06-08T12:03:51Z")
[slight hijack] Would those who want to slag off the ‘talentless’ **Nicolas** Cage please muster at least enough ‘talent’ themselves to spell his name correctly? [/slight hijack] Ahem, and now back to your regular scheduled thread. I think the outstanding example has to be the idiot dysfunctional offspring of our own dear Aged Parasite, The Queen. With the _possble_ exception of Anne, not a single one of them has demonstrated any merit, talent, ability, skill or competence whatsoever, and they’re all so impressively thick as a brick one wonders how they ever manage to walk upright. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/56 "2002-06-08T12:39:19Z")
I like the Culkins. Macaulay, ironically enough, is the only one who really has no talent - but yet he was the famous one. But Keiran is amazing, and Rory looks like he’ll be good in the new Shyamalan movie. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/57 "2002-06-08T12:43:50Z")
All of these posts, and nobody mentions “the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave…the wife of Liam Neisen…no wonder she won a Tony without being able to act.” (Thanks to Forbidden Broadway). I use to know a girl whose name was Liza. She was so good the critics all despised her. She use to go out hopping in gay barland. Matter of fact, she sang a lot like Judy Garland. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/58 "2002-06-08T13:39:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bad News Baboon \* > \*\* > > isnt his dad famous too? I am thinking its Loco Valdez for some reason. > \*\* Ramón Valdéz, maybe his nickname was Loco, was indeed famous and Cristián’s father. He died about 20-30 years ago, and was the grumpy poor neighbor in the TV show _El chavo del ocho_ , broadcasted throughout Latin America…it still is in some places. Oh, and I agree with you, Cristián Castro is talentless. Also, Enrique Iglesias has 2 other brothers (from the same father), who have try to break into the music world, again using their father’s name. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/59 "2002-06-08T15:58:43Z")
No, Ramon was not el Loco Valdez. (he was more of a show MC/comic). He is still alive. [http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Studio/5685/disney/tatiana-loco-valdez.html](http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Studio/5685/disney/tatiana-loco-valdez.html) no way, his dad was Ramon? you sure? Wow I hated Chavo del Ocho. Mom used to make us watch it with my cousins. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202/60 "2002-06-08T16:15:32Z")
Tori Spelling? Her dad: producer who cast her in the tv series, “Beverly Hills, 90210.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talentless-people-riding-on-a-family-members-fame/112202.md?page=4)