Family Business: Father and Son Acting Duos

These apples didn't fall far from their famous trees.

Will Smith and Jaden Smith - After Earth stars Will Smith as Cypher, a being from the future stranded on Earth a millenium after humans have evacuated the planet, who must rely on his young son, Kitai, to find help. To cast the role of Kitai, executive producer Smith didn't need to look any further than his own bloodline.Will and Jaden Smith, who first starred together in The Pursuit of Happyness, aren't the only father-son acting duo in the business. Keep flipping for many more who keep it in the family. (Photo: Columbia Pictures)

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Will Smith and Jaden Smith - After Earth stars Will Smith as Cypher, a being from the future stranded on Earth a millenium after humans have evacuated the planet, who must rely on his young son, Kitai, to find help. To cast the role of Kitai, executive producer Smith didn't need to look any further than his own bloodline.Will and Jaden Smith, who first starred together in The Pursuit of Happyness, aren't the only father-son acting duo in the business. Keep flipping for many more who keep it in the family. (Photo: Columbia Pictures)

Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. - Though his famous name would have opened a lot of doors for Damon Wayans Jr., the actor-writer-comedian wanted to break into the industry on his own chops. So  Wayans started off doing stand-up under the name Kyle Green to deflect attention from his famous father, In Living Color star Damon Wayans. He eventually embraced his Hollywood pedigree, of course, and went on to become a legitimate star in his own right. (Photo: ABC)

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Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. - Though his famous name would have opened a lot of doors for Damon Wayans Jr., the actor-writer-comedian wanted to break into the industry on his own chops. So  Wayans started off doing stand-up under the name Kyle Green to deflect attention from his famous father, In Living Color star Damon Wayans. He eventually embraced his Hollywood pedigree, of course, and went on to become a legitimate star in his own right. (Photo: ABC)

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Charlie Sheen and Martin Sheen - They may share a last name and a knack for winning Golden Globes, but the similarities between this father and son end there. The elder Sheen is a devout Catholic family man best known as President Bartlett on The West Wing, while the younger is recognized mostly for his drug abuse and tabloid antics. Still, television can't get enough of the Sheens.  (Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

Melvin Van Peebles and Mario Van Peebles - It can't be easy having a trailblazing legend as a father, but Mario Van Peebles managed to do his old man proud. The Panther star has not only launched his own successful Hollywood career, both in front of and behind the camera, but he also paid homage to his iconic father in his 2003 film BADASSSSS!, which tells the story behind the making of Melvin's seminal Sweet Sweetback's Badasssss Song.  (Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

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Melvin Van Peebles and Mario Van Peebles - It can't be easy having a trailblazing legend as a father, but Mario Van Peebles managed to do his old man proud. The Panther star has not only launched his own successful Hollywood career, both in front of and behind the camera, but he also paid homage to his iconic father in his 2003 film BADASSSSS!, which tells the story behind the making of Melvin's seminal Sweet Sweetback's Badasssss Song.  (Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

Bruce Lee and Brandon Lee - Talent and, unfortunately, tragedy both run in this family. Martial arts superstar Bruce Lee became the first true crossover star from Hong Kong before his untimely death in 1973 at the age of 32. His biracial son Brandon seemed set to take over his legacy when he, too, died young of a fatal gunshot wound on the set of his breakthrough film The Crow — he was only 28. Despite their short careers, the legacy of the Lees still looms large in Hollywood. (Photos from left: Getty Images, WireImage)

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Bruce Lee and Brandon Lee - Talent and, unfortunately, tragedy both run in this family. Martial arts superstar Bruce Lee became the first true crossover star from Hong Kong before his untimely death in 1973 at the age of 32. His biracial son Brandon seemed set to take over his legacy when he, too, died young of a fatal gunshot wound on the set of his breakthrough film The Crow — he was only 28. Despite their short careers, the legacy of the Lees still looms large in Hollywood. (Photos from left: Getty Images, WireImage)

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Gordon Parks and Gordon Parks Jr. - Parks broke ground in many artistic disciplines, including godfathering the Blaxploitation movement with his film Shaft. His son, Gordon Parks Jr., carried forward the legacy when he directed Super Fly and became a well-regarded filmmaker in his own right. The younger Parks sadly died in a plane crash in Kenya at age 44. (Photos from left: Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images, Getty Images)

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Gordon Parks and Gordon Parks Jr. - Parks broke ground in many artistic disciplines, including godfathering the Blaxploitation movement with his film Shaft. His son, Gordon Parks Jr., carried forward the legacy when he directed Super Fly and became a well-regarded filmmaker in his own right. The younger Parks sadly died in a plane crash in Kenya at age 44. (Photos from left: Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images, Getty Images)

Tom Cruise  - The War of the Worlds actor adopted his son, Connor (right), in 1995 and daughter Isabella Jane in 1992 with then-wife Nicole Kidman.(Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

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Tom Cruise and Connor Cruise - The A-list actor and his adopted son may not share any DNA, but Connor is still following in his father's showbiz footsteps. Apart from DJing, the handsome 18-year-old had small parts in the films Seven Pounds and Red Dawn. Could a starring role be far behind? (Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Master P and Romeo Miller - Entertainment is definitely a family business between the Millers. The No Limit boss, a rapper, entrepreneur and business manager, landed his best client in son Romeo. Together, they've built an empire in music, film, television and endorsement deals. Pretty soon, the student will surpass the Master. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NAACP)

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Master P and Romeo Miller - Entertainment is definitely a family business between the Millers. The No Limit boss, a rapper, entrepreneur and business manager, landed his best client in son Romeo. Together, they've built an empire in music, film, television and endorsement deals. Pretty soon, the student will surpass the Master. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NAACP)

Tom Hanks and Colin Hanks - Not only does Colin take after his dad in talent and temperament, the star bears an uncanny resemblance to his A-list pop. With his steadily-growing body of work, looks like Colin has a shot at matching his dad's box office potential as well.  (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Tom Hanks and Colin Hanks - Not only does Colin take after his dad in talent and temperament, the star bears an uncanny resemblance to his A-list pop. With his steadily-growing body of work, looks like Colin has a shot at matching his dad's box office potential as well.  (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Michael Jackson and Prince Jackson - While arguably no one can touch his father's legacy, Prince Michael Jackson could be on his way to making himself a household name. With a co-hosting gig on Entertainment Tonight and a small arc on prime time soap 90210, the young scion isn't doing too bad for a 16-year-old. (Photos from left: Carlo Allegri/Getty Images, Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

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Michael Jackson and Prince Jackson - While arguably no one can touch his father's legacy, Prince Michael Jackson could be on his way to making himself a household name. With a co-hosting gig on Entertainment Tonight and a small arc on prime time soap 90210, the young scion isn't doing too bad for a 16-year-old. (Photos from left: Carlo Allegri/Getty Images, Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)