1. The granddaughter of Elvis Presley, is the biological mother of John Travolta’s youngest son, Benjamin
Celebrities may feel larger than life, but they’re still human, and that sometimes means surprising family ties. A bombshell lawsuit filed in December 2025 alleges that actress Riley Keough, granddaughter of Elvis Presley, is the biological mother of John Travolta’s youngest son, Benjamin. The complaint claims that Keough, then in her early twenties, donated her eggs to Travolta and his late wife, Kelly Preston, who struggled with conception; allegedly in exchange for a vehicle and payment. Attorneys for the Presley family have strongly denied the claims, calling them “shameful” and unrelated to the original legal dispute, and there’s no verified proof that Ben Travolta’s parentage is anything other than as publicly understood. This explosive allegation (whether it turns out to be true or not) has sent shockwaves through celebrity circles because it connects two legendary entertainment families (Presley and Travolta) in an entirely unanticipated way.
2. Jonah Hill & Beanie Feldstein May be Siblings
You might recognize Jonah Hill from comedies and dramas alike, but many fans were surprised to learn he’s the older brother of actress Beanie Feldstein. While Hill’s career has included hits like Superbad and an Oscar-nominated turn in Moneyball, Feldstein gained widespread attention in Booksmart and on Broadway. Their sibling bond was famously commemorated when Hill got a tattoo of Feldstein’s name after her Broadway debut, a testament to their close relationship and shared talent.
3. Phil Collins & Lily Collins: Father-Daughter
Music legend Phil Collins is known for chart-topping hits, but his connection to actress Lily Collins is an unexpected crossover of pop and film talent. Lily, who has starred in movies like Mirror Mirror and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, is Collins’s daughter, and she has spoken openly about their complicated but creative relationship. Their family collaboration shows how artistic influence can run through generations, expanding the meaning of “celebrity legacy.”
4. Jake & Maggie Gyllenhaal: Hollywood Siblings
It’s familiar seeing Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal on screen, but their shared genetics amplify their powerful presence in Hollywood. Both siblings have earned praise for intense, dramatic roles: Jake in Nightcrawler and Brokeback Mountain, and Maggie in films like Secretary and The Dark Knight. Their careers reflect different facets of acting strength, yet their sibling bond underscores how family ties can shape artistic paths in unexpected ways.
5. Snoop Dogg & Brandy: First Cousins in Music
Rap icon Snoop Dogg and R&B star Brandy are first cousins, a surprise to many given their individual musical styles and prominence in different genres. Both artists grew up in McComb, Mississippi family lines, and this familial link provides fun context for their successes in rap and R&B. It also means Brandy’s brother Ray J shares kinship with Snoop, adding a family twist to West Coast and pop music scenes.
6. Tom Hanks is Related to Fred Rogers
Tom Hanks, one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, has a surprising genealogical link to Fred Rogers, the pioneering children’s television host also known as Mister Rogers. This connection highlights how entertainment legacies can cross genres and generations, connecting cinema’s everyman to a television icon who shaped the childhoods of millions.
7. Sebastian Stan & Dylan O’Brien: Distant Cousins
While best known for roles in major franchises (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Teen Wolf), actors Sebastian Stan and Dylan O’Brien are also distant cousins through shared Eastern European ancestry. Their connection illustrates how distant shared family history can surface among public figures, bridging projects and fanbases. (Note: This pairing appears commonly in extended celebrity genealogy discussions and is documented through genealogical research sites.)
8. Jason Schwartzman, Nicolas Cage & Sofia Coppola
In one of Hollywood’s most talented family circles, actor and musician Jason Schwartzman, actor Nicolas Cage, and filmmaker Sofia Coppola are all first cousins. This connection stems from the famed Coppola family tree, which includes directors, actors, and composers, as well as Oscar winners. Their deep roots in filmmaking and music demonstrate how certain creative genes can cluster within one extended family.
9. Julia Roberts & Emma Roberts: Aunt and Niece
Though they share a last name and striking looks, Julia Roberts and Emma Roberts aren’t just Hollywood name-mates, they’re aunt and niece. Julia, one of the major stars of the ’90s and 2000s, has a long list of iconic roles, while Emma has built a successful career in both film and television. Their family connection highlights a lineage of acting talent that spans generations and genres.
10. Beyoncé & Solange Knowles Are Musical Siblings
While many fans know Beyoncé as a global icon, fewer initially recognized that her younger sister Solange Knowles carved out a critically acclaimed career of her own. The two share the same parents, Mathew and Tina Knowles, and grew up immersed in music from a young age in Houston, Texas. Beyoncé rose to fame with Destiny’s Child before becoming one of the most successful solo artists in history, while Solange developed a more experimental sound that earned widespread praise, particularly with her album A Seat at the Table. Despite their different musical directions, the sisters have publicly supported each other, collaborating creatively and appearing together at major cultural moments.
11. Kate Middleton & Ellen DeGeneres: Distant Cousins
It may sound surprising, but Britain’s Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, and American comedian Ellen DeGeneres share a distant ancestral link. Genealogical research revealed that both women descend from Sir Thomas Fairfax and Agnes Gascoigne, who lived in England during the 15th century. Though separated by many generations, the connection illustrates how historical family trees can unexpectedly intersect across continents and careers. Middleton’s lineage ties her to British aristocracy, while DeGeneres rose to prominence through comedy and television.
12. Ben Affleck & Matt Damon Share Deep Family Roots
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are often assumed to be related because of their lifelong friendship and professional partnership, but they are not genetically connected. However, their close bond stems from growing up together in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where their families lived just blocks apart. Their shared upbringing, rather than shared DNA, helped shape their careers, culminating in their Oscar-winning screenplay for Good Will Hunting. While not technically a genetic connection, their story is often included in discussions of celebrity “family-like” bonds because of how deeply their lives and careers intertwine.
13. Al Roker & Lenny Kravitz Are Second Cousins
Television personality Al Roker and rock star Lenny Kravitz share a surprising family connection as second cousins. Their link comes through extended family ties, with Roker confirming the relationship publicly. Despite working in entirely different corners of entertainment, one in broadcast journalism and the other in music, both have achieved long-lasting success in highly competitive fields. Their connection adds an unexpected layer to two very different public personas and demonstrates how artistic and communicative talents can emerge across generations in varied forms.
14. Madonna & Hillary Clinton Are Distantly Related
Pop superstar Madonna and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton share a distant familial connection traced through genealogical research. Both women descend from a common ancestor who lived centuries ago, making them distant cousins. While Madonna reshaped pop culture through music, fashion, and performance, Clinton built her legacy in law and politics. Their shared ancestry underscores how people with vastly different life paths and public images can still originate from the same historical roots.
15. Dakota Johnson & Melanie Griffith: Mother and Daughter
Dakota Johnson, known for roles in Fifty Shades of Grey and The Lost Daughter, is the daughter of actress Melanie Griffith and actor Don Johnson. Raised in a family deeply embedded in Hollywood, Dakota grew up around film sets and industry veterans. Melanie Griffith herself is the daughter of actress Tippi Hedren, making Dakota part of a three-generation acting lineage. Despite her famous background, Dakota has spoken about forging her own path and choosing roles carefully to establish her individual identity.
16. Uma Thurman & Maya Hawke Share a Creative Bloodline
Uma Thurman and her daughter Maya Hawke represent another example of talent passing from one generation to the next. Thurman is celebrated for her roles in films like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, while Hawke gained widespread recognition through Stranger Things and her music career. Maya is also the daughter of actor Ethan Hawke, further deepening her artistic roots. Growing up surrounded by creativity, she was exposed early to acting, music, and storytelling.
17. Ralph Fiennes & Joseph Fiennes Are Acting Brothers
Ralph Fiennes and Joseph Fiennes are brothers who have both built respected acting careers, though in different lanes. Ralph is known for intense dramatic roles in films like Schindler’s List and the Harry Potter series, while Joseph gained fame through romantic and historical roles such as Shakespeare in Love and The Handmaid’s Tale. Raised in a large, creatively inclined family in England, both brothers pursued acting and achieved international recognition.
These hidden ties add depth to familiar names and show that behind every spotlight moment is a story shaped by lineage, history, and shared human connections.
