Laura Dern Calls Hollywood “Nepo Baby” Debate ‘Insane,’ Says Industry Legacies Are Nothing New

Laura Dern has spoken out against what she calls the “insane” debate surrounding so-called “nepo babies” in Hollywood, arguing that family legacies exist in every profession — not just the film industry.

In a new interview with The Telegraph, the Oscar-winning actor addressed the backlash often aimed at performers whose parents are already established in entertainment. The conversation around nepotism grew louder in the early 2020s, fueled in part by a widely discussed New York magazine article examining a new generation of stars with famous parents.

Dern, whose parents are Oscar-nominated actor Bruce Dern and the late Oscar winner Diane Ladd, said the criticism feels unfair and misplaced.

“I’m curious if anyone’s ever called your local butcher whose kids take over the business a ‘nepo baby’,” Dern said. “Or a milliner.”

She explained that when she began her career, she worked hard to be seen as her own person. “I definitely wanted to separate myself and have casting directors not mention my parents, because you want to stand on your own,” she said. “Back then it was considered a legacy, not something shameful.”

According to Dern, the tone has shifted dramatically for younger generations. “Now, people my kids’ age are treated like it’s an embarrassing scarlet letter,” she added.

Dern has two children with musician Ben Harper — 24-year-old Ellery, who is pursuing music, and 21-year-old Jaya, an aspiring actor.

Her comments echo similar views expressed by other major Hollywood figures, including Kate Winslet and Tom Hanks.

Last month, Winslet said she dislikes the term “nepo baby” while promoting her film Goodbye June, written by her son Joe Anders. “I just tell my children to follow their hearts,” she said, noting that many professions see children follow their parents’ paths without criticism.

Hanks made similar remarks in a 2023 interview, responding to questions about his son being cast as a younger version of him in a film. “This is a family business,” he said. “If we ran a plumbing supply company or a flower shop, the whole family would be involved at some point.”

Together, the comments highlight a growing pushback from Hollywood veterans who argue that creative industries should not be singled out for practices common across generations — and that talent, not lineage, should ultimately determine success.