SVU's Mariska Hargitay and 8 More TV Stars You Didn't Know Were Nepo Babies

After the scandal that the mere term "nepo baby" brought to the entertainment industry in 2023, many people still can't calm down and continue to claim their independence from parents, aunts and uncles, and any other famous relatives they may have.

However, as every single viewer would agree, the successful and critically acclaimed performances will always speak louder than any excuses given in interviews. 9 nepo baby actors and actresses from the list below, for example, are so beloved by the audience that no one even dares to question the roots of their success.

Mariska Hargitay ( Law & Order: Special Victims Unit )

Not many people know that the star of NBC's acclaimed procedural Law & Order: SVU is the daughter of bodybuilder and actor Mickey Hargitay and actress Jayne Mansfield.

However, once you see their photos side by side, you will never look at Hargitay's face on screen the same way again. The actress' resemblance to her mother is truly uncanny! What’s even better, she passed down the amazing talent too.

Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton )

Phoebe Dynevor's TV success was truly written in the stars, as there is no way that the daughter of Emmerdale scriptwriter Tim Dynevor and actress Sally Dynevor, star of Britain's most popular soap, Coronation Street, could not have a career if she set her mind to it.

The actress has charmed everyone as Bridgerton's Daphne and has already moved on from the soap to other projects such as the erotic thriller Fair Play.

Ben Platt (The Politician)

The son of theater, television, and film producer Marc Platt, Ben Platt has been a part of the industry since his early years and has grown into the great performer that he is today.

Although the actor is best known for his stage and film roles, such as the title character in Dear Evan Hansen or the Pitch Perfect film series, he also earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for the Netflix comedy series The Politician.

Jessica Capshaw (Grey’s Anatomy)

Jessica Capshaw, the star of Shonda Rhimes' Grey's Anatomy who will return as a guest star for Season 20, didn't come to the industry from the outside. She followed in the footsteps of her mother, actress and producer Kate Capshaw.

And she succeeded, changing many lives forever with her performance as LGBTQ+ icon Arizona Robbins.

George Clooney ( ER)

We all know George Clooney as one of the most successful actors, directors and producers in Hollywood today, but it was ER that launched his career and made him a true celebrity. The talent must have come not only from hard work, but also from his father, a former anchor and television host.

The movie Good Night, and Good Luck, which Clooney Jr. directed, wrote and starred in, is a direct love letter to his father and the way he put honesty above all else in his work.

Louisa Jacobson (The Gilded Age )

As Marian Brook in HBO's period drama hit The Gilded Age, Louisa Jacobson stars alongside some of her mother's dearest friends, including Mamma Mia! star Christine Baranski.

Many viewers were shocked to learn that the actress is the daughter of Meryl Streep, but once you know that fact, it's hard to ignore the obvious similarities. Maybe one day HBO will be able to reunite the family on screen.

Rashida Jones (The Office )

If you're a fan of sitcoms, chances are you've seen either The Office or Parks and Recreation. And if you have seen either of these amazing shows, you know who Rashida Jones is and how brilliant she is at what she does.

What you may not have known until today is that the actress' parents were both huge parts of the entertainment industry as well. She is one of the children of actress Peggy Lipton and musician and record producer Quincy Jones.

Jackson White (Tell Me Lies)

Despite the fact that he's still a rising star, Jackson White has already starred in some very interesting TV and movie projects. In addition to Hulu 's Tell Me Lies, he was a part of the HBO series Mrs. Fletcher, as well as starring in the 2023 Paramount+ original film Pet Sematary: Bloodlines.

This success isn't surprising in the least, as he is the son of actress Katey Sagal. Although it took him some time to consider acting as a career choice, it was the right decision.

Maude Apatow (Euphoria )

Coming from the family of actress Leslie Mann and director, producer and screenwriter Judd Apatow, both of whom are well known in the industry, it was only a matter of time before Maude made her mark.

Considering that she made Forbes' 30 Under 30 list long before she was cast in HBO's hit Euphoria, it's safe to say that the young actress has everything to make it even bigger than her parents in the industry.