Liza Minnelli has a new “memoir” out, and in that book, she claims to be one of the original nepo babies. It’s true – she’s the daughter of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli, and she not only grew up in show business, but she is arguably one of the most successful nepo babies of all time. Well, move over Liza with a Z! Gwyneth Paltrow now claims that she INVENTED nepo babies. No, no, I’m joking, Gwyneth didn’t say she invented it, but she does claim to be one of the original nepo babies. Just like she was one of the first people ever in history to do yoga, I’m sure.
Gwyneth Paltrow isn’t afraid to call out her “nepo baby” status. The Marty Supreme actress, who is the daughter of fellow actress Blythe Danner and film producer and director Bruce Paltrow, addressed the title while being honored at the 2026 New York Women in Film & Television Muse Awards on Friday, March 20.
“I was extraordinarily lucky to be given opportunities early on, probably partly because I’m one of the original nepo babies,” Gwyneth joked, “but I would be lying if I said that that made my path clear.”
“There were many moments when the industry made it very plain that women are expected to stay in their lane and to be graceful and quiet and above all to be one thing. And I’ve never been very good at being one thing,” she added, referring to launching her wellness and lifestyle company, Goop.
The Emma star, 53, also took a moment to honor her mother, 83-year-old Danner, who was in the audience, sharing that many of the lessons she learned from the Meet the Parents actress have shaped her own work.
“Mom, you showed me what it looks like to commit fully to a craft, to be insanely creative and brave in your choices onstage, and to carry yourself with so much grace, even when sometimes this industry doesn’t make it so easy. So thank you,” she said.
Danner wasn’t the only one who got the spotlight, as Gwyneth also highlighted the support she’s received from her husband, TV and film producer Brad Falchuk, 55, and from her son, Moses Martin, 19. “When we talk about women supporting women, which matters enormously, we also want to acknowledge the gorgeous, thoughtful, and loving men who show up for us and fill our hearts with love,” Gwyneth said after mentioning the pair.
For what it’s worth, Gwyneth has never been one of those nepo-babies who pretend that their family had nothing to do with their rise. Gwyneth has always openly flaunted her privilege and her nepotism, even when she first entered the scene. It was her calling card – she was the daughter-of Bruce Paltrow and Blythe Danner, she called Steven Spielberg her “uncle” and on and on. But is she one of the OG nepo-babies? I certainly think Liza would like a word.
Photos of Gwyneth at the Muse event:
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – MARCH 01: Gwyneth Paltrow wearing custom Givenchy arrives at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA (formerly Screen Actors Guild Awards) held at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on March 1, 2026 in Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 1079515057, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Gwyneth Paltrow, Credit line: Image Press Agency/Image Press Agency/Avalon
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – MARCH 01: Gwyneth Paltrow wearing custom Givenchy arrives at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA (formerly Screen Actors Guild Awards) held at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on March 1, 2026 in Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 1079515216, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Gwyneth Paltrow, Credit line: Image Press Agency/Image Press Agency/Avalon
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- Gwyneth Paltrow arrives on the red carpet of the 98th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026.,Image: 1083348668, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Maddie Knight / The Academy/Avalon
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- Gwyneth Paltrow arrives on the red carpet of the 98th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026.,Image: 1083348683, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Maddie Knight / The Academy/Avalon
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- Celebrity arrivals for the Valentino fashion show at Palazzo Barberin Featuring: Gwyneth Paltrow Where: Rome, Italy When: 12 Mar 2026 Credit: Marco Provvisionato/IPA/INSTARimages **UK, USA AND AUSTRALIA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- Celebrity arrivals for the Valentino fashion show at Palazzo Barberin Featuring: Gwyneth Paltrow Where: Rome, Italy When: 12 Mar 2026 Credit: Marco Provvisionato/IPA/INSTARimages **UK, USA AND AUSTRALIA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- Outside arrivals at the 2026 Muse Awards Featuring: Gwyneth Paltrow Where: New York, New York, United States When: 20 Mar 2026 Credit: Janet Mayer/INSTARimages.com
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- New York Women in Film & Television presents the 46th annual MUSE Awards at Cipriani 42nd St. in New York Featuring: Gwyneth Paltrow Where: New York City, New York, United States When: 20 Mar 2026 Credit: Roger Wong/INSTARimages
Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Douglas, Rob Reiner, Drew Barrymore are a few that come to mind that came before Gwyneth.
Drew s dad john barrymore jr. Was a n e p o baby. As were jane and peter Fonda
John Barrymore senior, Drew’s grandfather, was one of the original Nepo babies along with John Huston
Our minds work alike because I was going to point out John Barrymore and John Huston too. However, in days prior, they used to call them “Hollywood royalty” not “nepo babies.” That expression is more modern and tends to point out the privilege inherent in knowing someone in the business who loves you and wants to help you succeed. Not to mention the advantages you get from being in that position.
Yeah my thoughts too, Anjelica Huston, anyone’s kids still floating around from the golden age of Hollywood..
Yeah there’ve been acting nepo babies practically as long as it’s been a craft. John Wilkes Booth was a nepo baby!
The Barrymores go back to the mid-19th-century London stage and later intersected with the Costellos. Drew’s a multiple nepo baby.
Charlie Chaplin’s father, mother, aunt and older brother were all stage performers.
It just goes on and on.
See also:
Jeff Bridges, Beau Bridges, Melanie Griffith, Isabella Rossellini, Laura Dern, Carrie Fisher (RIP), Jane Fonda, Peter Fonda (RIP), Geraldine Chaplin….
Sorry, Gwyneth, your spot in that line is a lot further back. 🙄
Marlo Thomas enters the conversation…
Yes, John Barrymore was descended from famous actors and actresses of the time. His parents were Maurice Barrymore and Georgiana Drew Barrymore. Georgiana’s parents were actors John Drew and Louisa Lane Drew. Drew’s paternal grandmother was actress Dolores Costello, who starred in movies including the Magnificent Ambersons.
Has anyone else noticed she’s starting to look like Cher? Cher is a considerably better actor and singer, though.
I think she’s starting to look like Marie-Chantal of Greece. Same plastic surgeon??
I was thinking she looks like her mother for sure, but her face has definitely been stretched.
This is fun! Here’s some more: Lon Chaney Jr., Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Margaux & Mariel Hemingway, Marisa Tomei, Desi Arnaz Jr., Amanda Plummer.
Ah, Gwyneth! She who invented yoga, the original nepo baby. How does one get such a giant ego? And what exactly is that ego based upon?!?!??!
Marisa Tomei??!! That surprised me
Mira Sorvino for sure
But I don’t think Marisa Tomei is one
I think the original nepo baby was Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
The difference is, some of those other people had actual talent and may have had a career even without the nepotism.
She has a truly compulsive need to rewrite anything that might be perceived as negative into something extraordinarily positive
100% this. Whenever she want attention (and it’s often because so many younger actors are the main focus these days – not her), she makes narcissistic comments that will bring some spotlight to her.
Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas would like a word Gwinny.
The Nepo baby blessed 42nd Street NYC in front of Cipriani’s for some awards event. I walk past there commuting every day…Wow, I have walked the streets that Gwen has shared…I am not worthy, not worthy…
🤭
I’m so down with my gender and I love an ambitious woman that works hard. For some reason I just can’t root for Gwyneth, she works my last nerve. She’s just exhausting.
Same, Jenny, same.
You speak for all of us.
Jeff Bridges, Beau Bridges, Anjelica Huston
George Clooney. Hwood is teaming with them.
Before Angelica, I would argue that her father was a Nepo baby on the basis of Sam Huston was an actor before his son was a director.
Do you mean Walter Huston? They’re, I think, the only three generation Oscar winners. Walter, John, Angelica. And now Jack Huston is a very good actor as well in the fourth generation. As a side note, he’s the nephew of The 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, husband of Rose Hanbury.
As I replied to another post, those other people had actual talent, regardless of the nepotism.
John carradines sons who became actors.
Keith, David, and Robert. I can see Keith’s daughter Martha Plimpton rolling her eyes at Gwyneth
Carrie Fisher and Melanie Griffith also come to mind. The whole Barrymore clan. Michael Douglas.
Yeah credit where credit is due – she’s never hid her nepo baby status or acted like she did it all on her own. And that navy outfit is actually nice, but her makeup looks a little washed out. IDK, I have a soft spot for Gwyneth after she did that video with Meghan last year. She’s insufferable in so many ways but she went out of her way to make sure we knew she did not have beef with Meghan.
Is she an original? Of course not. Liza Minnelli, Isabella Rosselini, Jamie Lee Curtis – i feel like there are a lot who are a generation or two older than her.
What do we think of the Barrymores? How do we classify people like that?
I think the Barrymores might be considered a “dynasty” (though I’m not that familiar with their history, so I’m not sure if I’m overstating the descriptor).
I think Gwyneth’s fame increased massively because she was Brad Pitt’s girlfriend, so she was kind of a nepo girlfriend as well. A confluence of nepo opportunities helped her, but I think she likes to mention her parents were “Hollywood royalty” because it sounds more exciting. She’s not hidden her privilege necessarily because I think that would mean she’d have to say she’s a peasant (which is a worse alternative, in her mind haha), but a lot of her PR acts like she’s unique in her fabulousness, imo.
For a couple of seconds, I thought these were pics of Cher.
Seriously, what did she do to her face? At least Cher is open about having work done.
Dear Gwyneth, watch The Goonies
Oooo! Are you talking Sean and Mackenzie Astin sons of Patty Duke and John Astin (though Sean’s bio dad was someone else). I read “Call me Anna” in the day. So interesting that Sean now is President of the Actors Guild like his mother
Ah and Martha Plimpton and Josh Brolin. Forgot there were so many nepos in that movie
Also Martha Plimpton of the Carradine family and Josh Brolin, son of James Brolin, stepson of Streisand. The Goonies is basically Spielberg calling his Hollywood neighbors and telling them to send their kids to the set
Somehow even when she’s acknowledging her privilege, she manages to turn it into something braggy. It’s weird. It’s also a skill haha, as in anyone else would be clocked for sounding this annoying but she skates on by. I expect Apple will sound like this in the future, but won’t be as good as it as her mom haha.
Surely Liza Minnelli is the true original nepo baby? lol Gwynnie’s self-regard.
Daniel DAy Lewis has some impressive nepo-ness in his background.
Gwyneth has somehow managed to turn the argument upside-down, and now we’re all trying to find examples of people who could be in competition with her for high-status, well-regarded nepo-ness.
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. launched his career in the Silent era so I think he wins the OG nepo award.
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. started acting in silent films, successfully moved on to sound pictures. His first wife was Joan Crawford.
Yes Nepo babies are nothing new and go back to the stage, vaudeville and silent screen eras. Glad she recognizes it but no G you are not OG.
I think there are many levels of Nepo from just having non famous family in the industry (the gyellnhals) to very famous parents (Kate Hudson). The Barrymores are definitely a dynasty and are considered Hollywood royalty. Liza too.
Charlie Chaplin predates jr even.
There are a ton of Nepo babies in Hollywood and have been for a few generations now. Some of them are very good actors, to be fair. Some, like Margaret Qualley, are frankly better than their famous parents ever were.
Gwyneth is not in the latter category.
By calling herself the “original nepo baby,” maybe Gwyneth *expects* we’ll all think of two dozen examples of nepo babies who are much older than she is. And then bam! It’s not just the facelifts making us think Gwyneth is sooo young!
Eh. It just reinforces her narcissism.
This is how I took it from her statements. That she was one of the first ‘nepo babies’ that leveraged her parents fame to help her career. They were the ones that showed up to red carpets and interviews crowing about their daughter as an actress. Giving her mainstream exposure.
But Gwyniie has to be Gwyniie and also pretend she also bootstrapped her career and her talent got her A list. No, you didn’t. You had your famous family. Then you had an up and coming movie star boyfriend named Brad Pitt that took you everywhere publicly. And got cast in a blockbuster movie Seven. Because you were his girlfriend at the time. Then Ben, then Chris and finally Brad a writer, director and producer. It’s not like she dated or married plumbers.
The same way Stella McCartney used Paul to show up at her fashion shows since the media would follow him. That gave her oodles of free publicity. That’s how I took it from her.
Most people working in Hollywood is related to somebody. That’s not new since golden age of Hollywood since the 1920’s. Its the early ones that weaponized it to help their career that are the real ‘nepo-babies’. That current ones like to deny (but do it too).
Except for the more honest ones like Colin Hanks and Jack Quaid who just own it interviews and move on with their lives and careers.
I feel Brad Pitt was the catalyst for her fame. I wouldn’t really have any idea who her parents were if not for Brad Pitt (I know everyone hates him now. But at that time he did not have a bad reputation).
Everyone referred to her as Brad Pitt’s girlfriend, similar to how women who dated JFK Jr. were referred to, , unless the woman was already famous like Darryl Hannah, became known. Then you’d go and read about the girlfriend out of interest (because the media would make a big deal of the unknown woman dating the famous guy). It was from there I’d learn who the parents were haha and that she came from wealth and would skip school with no worry of failing out and screwing up her future because she was that privileged through money haha. And her godfather is Steven Spielberg. I know who John Barrymore is from hearing the name several times, but I don’t think I really would have known who Blyth Danner is without Brad Pitt haha (who apparently was lesser because he went to the University of Missouri for college (and was going through the well -regarded journalism program) while Gwyneth was superior because she went to Spence for high school. Until Gwyneth, I don’t think I realized how stupid Hollywood snobbery and elitism works).
This exactly. Blythe Danner is more of a Broadway/NY actress, right? I don’t think she was an household name. When Bruce Paltrow was producing TV shows it was back in the day before ppl really took note of who the producer was. I agree, Gwyneth’s fame is primarily because of Brad Pitt.
The Barrymore’s are a dynasty. Is nepo baby the new term for Hollywood Royalty?
Here in the UK, Gwyneth’s fame 100% kicked off with the Pitt association.
Just google videos of the LOTF premiere – with then Prince Charles – no one knew who the eff she was.😏😏
Bruce Paltrow had the power and connections to get his daughter jobs. One of her first jobs was for Spielberg. Daddy did that.
Yes, I agree Bruce Paltrow got her jobs. She is a beneficiary of nepotism through her father, most definitely.
I just think the enlargement of her own fame and her parents’ fame came through Brad Pitt. I wouldn’t know who she is (and who Blyth Danner and Bruce Paltrow) are without Brad Pitt. In that sense, I don’t think she was the “original nepo baby” who was smart enough to leverage her parents’ fame. I think she just bragged about her parents because she likes bragging and doesn’t want to be confused for being a peasant.
She worked as an actress between 1989-1994 before she started dating Brad in 1994. Pretty sure she wasn’t cast as Young Wendy in Spielberg’s Hook due to her talent. Or more likely, due to her parents connections.
100% her fame exploded with dating Brad who was white hot at that time.
But she was being cast before that, no different than Julia Roberts having Emma cast in her movies as a child. Nepotism at its finest.
I think the other comments above describe it perfectly. She is trying to admit to being a nepo baby as a yes, I had help but it also didn’t help my career. But being braggadocious about it. That her talent kept her being cast. I respectfully disagree Gwyneth. The woman that stole a part from Winona to go on and win an Emmy. Her father bought her that necklace she was wearing also. She and Brad had long broken up by then.
*ugh, typo Oscar not Emmy*
Naw y’all are giving way too much credit to Pitt. Like always he hung to it girls and adapted their style. Her career was already on the up. She won the Oscar in 99 after breaking up with Pitt and being with Ben Affleck
Blythe. D a n n e r is best known for movie 1776. And later meet the parents series.
How about Tony Goldwyn of the original Metro Goldwyn Mayer: MGM. Can’t get much more royal than that!?!
And his maternal grandfather Sidney Howard won the academy award for screenwriting of gone with the wind
Off topic but I love her jacket but not with that ugly pleated skirt. Could be very chic with some nice jeans.
Dame Emma Thompson is shrieking with laughter somewhere
Ugh.
As if she were better than Isabella Rossellini.
My favorite nepo baby
Did she recently get an eye lift? (No judgement, I want one!) I can’t put my finger on it but something is different.
Perhaps – can’t tell if it’s that or just a combination of some filler, Botox, and aging.
Could be 1/2 a facelift. Or those threads they put in to pull the face back.
But no joke, I want an upper bleph so bad. I am hoping they get bad enough it affects my vision. Then it goes from cosmetic to medical and covered under insurance.
My dad got that done years ago. He looked 10 years younger. Come on crappy genetics! Let’s get to drooping!!
her face looks like it’s melting
Well it was meant as a joke. And it landed.
This woman is so nauseating. Will she ever stop praising herself and taking credit for things that existed long before her, like yoga? At this point I go out of my way to never watch her work. She’s a mediocre actor at best. She should be very thankful she’s a nepo. It’s the only reason she has a career.
I can’t stand this fake woman.
I’m one of those people who claimed from the beginning that she sabotaged Meghan, trying to get attention this way, because she could only dream of the kind of media attention Meghan received. I wasn’t fooled by the “friends” video of Meghan at the table. With Meghan, who—like never before—instead of saying anything, shoved a piece of cake in her mouth and shrugged.
I have a theory that the supportive Montecito community forced this on Patrow.
Angelina and her father Jon are BOTH oscar winners. She arrived on the scene same time as Paltrow and 10x more interesting and humble than Gwynnie could ever be.
Something nice: I had never seen Shakespeare in Love until recently and I expected it to be a pile of fresh dookie given the way people talk about it/the Weinstein of it all… But slap my fanny and butter my biscuit if I didn’t think it was a charming movie and dare I say, I thought she was pretty spectacular in it — not saying she deserved to beat Blanchett or Fernanda Montenegro for the Oscar necessarily, but I think she definitely deserved the nom.
But no way SiL deserved to win over Saving Private Ryan. Weinstein bullied voters for Paltrow and best picture win. He sent out smear campaigns against SPR, so i always side eye any award wins Weinstein was involved with.
She was a lot better in sliding doors
Imo
She has a compulsive need to take ownership and steal credit for being the first in everything she does. It is so gross. The entitlement and classism just oozes from every tightly polished pore.
What she’s “started”:
nepotism babies, yoga, cupping, people seeing accupuncturists, friendly divorces, the entire wellness industry, organic eating, fitness training, gluten free eating, clean eating, face masks, paleo diet, actor lifestyle brands, ozone therapy, etc, etc.
She has repeatedly said that “she has pioneered and is responsible for doing things early that people think are “insane,” which later become mainstream”
About things that millions of people have been doing for centuries. Good Lord.
Oh my God, that tacky, “plastic” wig in the main photo…! What is that supposed to be…? She’s
wig’s been wearing it for years, but usually more discreetly, from the middle of her head. Which doesn’t stop her from classifying herself as a natural-haired person (article in mail)
Google: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Nepo babies are quite literally as old as Hollywood itself.
I’m tired so originally thought Gwyneth was claiming SHE was Judy Garland’s and Vincent
Minnelli’s real daughter. I was confused and for a second thought, “This bitch would.”
I’m tired so originally thought Gwyneth was claiming SHE was Judy Garland’s and Vincente
Minnelli’s real daughter. I was confused and for a second thought, “This bitch.” Gwyneth’s real parents couldn’t hold a candle to those super-talented legends.
Ahead needs to Iverson herself
Going against the pile-on here, but she said she was “one” of the original nepo babies. She did not say she was the original. I applaud her for owning her privilege. I have seen many of the movies she has been in, and sorry guys, she was great in all of them! The woman can act! There was nine-year age gap between her and Brad Pitt and she was already an established actor when they met in 1994. I guess the need to tear people down is as alive and well on this site as it is for those who tear down Meagan elsewhere and the lengths taken to justify the need to dislike someone … wow!
What does being one of the “original” nepo babies even mean though? How can you be original at nepotism? Also, the 90s weren’t that long ago. If we’re supposed to see nepotism as an “original” thing (with innovation, I guess? just kidding) we’d have to go back much further in decades. What she’s saying doesn’t really make sense..,that’s not tearing her down, that’s simply questioning what she’s saying because how can nepotism be “original”? Is she claiming she’s one of the first dazzling, privileged people to exist the word “original” has an ambiguous meaning). I don’t get it. She keeps forgetting we know other rich, privileged people exist. If she’s trying to imply that she’s one of the biggest or most dazzling to exist as a nepo baby in recent modern times (the ‘90s), then she doesn’t get that award either.That award would have gone to JFK, Jr.