11 fotos

Firefighters, chefs and psychiatrists: The nepo babies who refused to be famous

Not all celebrity offspring use their famous last names to build careers in film, music, or fashion. Here's a look at the low-profile lives and surprising professions of the children of stars like Bruce Springsteen, Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise

Carlos Megía

May 16, 2025 - 14:19CEST

Sam Springsteen. Unlike his parents, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa (singer, guitarist, and member of her husband’s band, the E Street Band), and his siblings (Jessica is an Olympic equestrian and Evan James is also a singer), Sam (first from the left) leads a much more private life. The youngest son of The Boss has worked as a firefighter in New Jersey since 2020; a profession that, according to his father, had always been his dream. “We’re very proud of him,” added the ‘Born to Run’ singer.Steven Ferdman (Patrick McMullan via Getty Image)

Ben Ford. The eldest of Harrison Ford’s five children (he had two with his first wife, illustrator Mary Marquardt) was once on track to become a baseball player, but an injury gave him time on the sidelines to develop an interest in cooking. Today, he is one of California’s most renowned chefs and owns a restaurant, Ford’s Filling Station, located near Los Angeles’ LAX airport. Despite his culinary skills, he says his father eats quite little and mostly sticks to a diet of grilled chicken, fish, and vegetables. And an interesting fact: the son of Han Solo (and Leia) in the 'Star Wars' saga is also called Ben.Ann Summa (Getty Images)

Leslie Bogart. The daughter of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, one of Hollywood’s most iconic golden-era couples, never sought to replicate the cinematic star power of her parents. Leslie, named in honor of a close friend of her father — the actor Leslie Howard — worked as a nurse and yoga instructor. She married Erich Schiffmann, one of the leading yoga gurus. She is currently 72 years old.Ron Galella, Ltd. (Ron Galella Collection via Getty)

Joseph Baena. The product of an extramarital relationship between Arnold Schwarzenegger and his then-housekeeper, Mildred Baena, young Joseph grew up without the luxuries and indulgences enjoyed by Schwarzenegger’s other four children. However, he has managed to build a promising future as a real estate agent in Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger officially acknowledged him as his son in May 2011, shortly after leaving office as governor of California. The admission of his infidelity led to his divorce from Maria Shriver.Hollywood To You/Star Max (GC Images)

Elizabeth Anne Hanks (far right). Currently in the spotlight due to the release of her memoir, the eldest daughter of Tom Hanks and his first wife, Samantha Lewes, has built a respected career as a journalist, contributing to outlets such as 'The New York Times,' 'The Guardian,' and 'Time.' Though she has generally kept a low profile, in 'The 10,' her newly published memoir, she recounts the harrowing childhood she endured after her parents’ divorce, including her mother’s addictions, mental health struggles, and physical and emotional abuse. Tom was granted primary custody when Elizabeth was 14, and Samantha passed away from cancer in 2002.Steve Granitz (WireImage)

Bella Cruise. Isabella Jane Cruise, better known as Bella Cruise, is the daughter of one of Hollywood’s most iconic former couples: Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. She was adopted in the 1990s by the high-profile pair, along with her brother Connor. Raised within the Church of Scientology, Bella has been estranged from her mother due to the religion. She is now an artist and designer, having launched her own art and fashion line called BKC, named after the initials of her full name (using her mother’s surname first). On Instagram, she frequently shares her illustrations, which are as alternative as they are unsettling.Luca Teuchmann (Getty Images)

Charles Shaffer. While his sister attends the Met Gala and frequents events in the fashion world, the son of Anna Wintour and the late David Shaffer has followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued a career in psychiatry. Far removed from the glamour surrounding the world’s most famous fashion editor, Charles studied medicine at the University of Oxford and currently works on various initiatives to improve mental health, including the use of ketamine for patients with depression.Adrian Edwards (GC Images)

Shura Baryshnikov. The daughter of two legends of the arts — Oscar-winning actress Jessica Lange and internationally renowned dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov — chose to follow in her father’s footsteps. She is now a choreographer and dance instructor at several schools. Although she is a respected figure in the world of contemporary dance, she has kept a low profile, far from the media spotlight that followed her since childhood, and leads a quiet life more connected to intellectual pursuits than to the glamour and opulence of Hollywood.Arnaldo Magnani (Getty Images)

Jack Depp. The son of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis has little in common with his sister. While Lily-Rose Depp thrives as a model and actress — one of the most famous and in-demand nepo babies — John Christopher, as he was named at birth, is employed as a waiter, bartender, and kitchen assistant at a well-known Parisian restaurant often visited by celebrities of his parents’ stature (including Matt Damon). His mother and sister, of course, have also been spotted there.Alain BENAINOUS (Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Ramona Sarsgaard. Despite having three of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors in her immediate family — her mother Maggie Gyllenhaal, her uncle Jake Gyllenhaal and her father Peter Sarsgaard — 18-year-old Ramona has chosen to pursue the turbulent world of journalism. She is currently studying at the prestigious Columbia University, and recently made headlines after being arrested during a protest against the Israeli government’s actions in the Gaza Strip.WWD (Penske Media via Getty Images)