Family Business: Acting Clans Who’ve Made a Mark
You probably know about the Afflecks – Ben and Casey – or the Bridges, Wilson and Baldwin brothers or even Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal, but how about the black families who have and are creating acting dynasties in Hollywood?
They may be rare, but the few families that have made an impact in the past and seem to be taking on the challenge for the future are doing it big.
CHIP, KIM AND ALEXIS FIELDS: They may be a unique acting family in Hollywood, as the clan’s matriarch, Chip, actually got this acting family started. (You may remember Chip as Janet Jackson’s abusive mother on “Good Times.”) Kim took up the family mantle on “The Facts of Life” and is now working behind the scenes and hosting shows like Centric TV’s “Lens On Talent.” Alexis starred on “Roc,” “Moesha” and “Sister, Sister” and had a baby girl, Kaycie, in 2008. If family history is any indication, look for Kaycie on a big or small screen near you soon.
TIA, TAMERA, AND TAJH MOWRY: These siblings have been acting together and separately for some time. Tia and Tamera played sisters on “Sister, Sister” while Tajh was “The Smart Guy.” Things don’t seem to be slowing down for the Mowrys. “The Game,” starring Tia, is coming back to BET, while Tamera most recently appeared on the TV show, “Roommates.” Tahj is recording music and was featured on a single with Flo-Rida and the Boom Boom Satellites.
THE SMITHS: Will, Jada, Jaden and Willow Smith are now black Hollywood’s preeminent acting family. Jaden is fresh off “The Karate Kid” remake; Willow has just signed to Roc Nation, and her single, “Whip My Hair” is getting major Internet buzz. Jada’s second season of “Hawthorne” just finished up on TNT. Apparently, the family directive is that everyone in the household must get paid – and so they are. Will and Jada are creating the next generation of Hollywood stars literally in their own backyard. (Will’s oldest son, Trey, has opted out of the family business to pursue his love of football.)
THE WAYANS: If your last name is Wayans, you must be acting or writing or creating. The large Wayans clan boasts Keenan, Damon, Kim, Shawn and Marlon among its first generation, who’ve starred in, written and appeared in and created several TV shows and movies – among them “In Living Color,” “My Wife and Kids,” “White Chicks” and “Scary Movie.” Among the new generation of Wayans talent is Damien Dante Wayans (son of non-acting sibling Elvira), Craig Wayans (son of non-acting sibling Deirdre), Damon Wayans Jr. (set to star on a sitcom in 2011) and several other Wayans’ with a few less credits. Talk about keeping it in the family – the Wayans clan has the patent on that.
DEBBIE ALLEN, PHYLICIA RASHAD AND VIVIAN NIXON: Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad are the most accomplished sisters in the business, with a few Tonys and Emmy Awards between them. The next generation boasts dancer Vivian Nixon, most recently a part of the Broadway production of “Hot Feet.” While her brother, Norm Nixon, Jr. followed in his father’s steps, playing college basketball, Nixon was named one of “25 to Watch” by Dance magazine in 2007. So far, we haven’t heard anything from Rashad’s daughter or son, so it’s possible they may have found other endeavors. But we’d keep an eye out, just in case.
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