From Lila Moss walking the Victoria Secret catwalk with her mother Kate to Kim Kardashian’s daughter North performing as Simba in a Lion King concert, the mere sight of a ‘nepo baby’ in the limelight is guaranteed to rile people up.
Many accused of riding on their parents’ coattails argue that they have to graft even harder to prove they’re talented in their own right, but some children of famous parents have decided to apply that work ethic outside of the showbiz industry.
For instance, Take That star Gary Barlow recently revealed all three of his children are opting for a more studious path, explaining that his son Daniel, 24, and daughter Emily, 22, have both decided to pursue careers in medicine and physiology respectively.
Celeb kids who don’t attempt to replicate their parents’ success in the same industry, perhaps conceding that they genuinely don’t have the same level of talent, often end up piggybacking on their success in a different way.
That might mean setting themselves up as ‘influencers’ or launching brands – Stella McCartney perhaps being the most famous example – but there’s a whole bunch who have opted for refreshingly normal career paths.
Two hugely famous Oscar nominated actors have sons who have pursued careers as chefs, while one of the world’s most beloved singers is rightly proud of his son who is a firefighter in New Jersey.
Here reveals the perks of not becoming yet another nepo baby.
The anti-nepo babies who have shunned showbiz for ‘proper’ jobs – as Gary Barlow reveals his son is pursuing a career in medicine
Gary Barlow’s son Daniel
Job: Medical student
The Take That star, 53, shares Daniel, 24, Emily, 22 and Daisy, 15, with wife of 25-years Dawn Andrews, but none of his three children have sought fame, despite their father’s huge success.
Instead opting to follow a more studious path, Gary’s eldest children Daniel and Emily have both decided to pursue careers in medicine and physiology respectively.
Gary revealed his youngest is still undecided on where her passions lie, but she is also studious like her siblings.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said ‘The two oldest ones [Daniel and Emily] have kind of gone into medicine and physiology – studying strength and conditioning – and my youngest one, Daisy, I’m not too sure what she’s heading for but again, she’s very studious… unlike me and my wife,’ he says.
‘I don’t think they will follow in my music footsteps but I wouldn’t have discouraged them though if they did want to, it’s been a good business for me’.
It’s unclear how Daniel’s career in medicine is unfolding, but it’s believed he graduated last year, with his proud parents Gary and Dawn by his side.
Gary has also spoken of his pride in his super-fit son for taking part in an Ironman challenge, saying: ‘We just couldn’t be prouder of our boy – unbelievable amounts of training and determination – when you put in the work you get the results.’
The Take That star, 53, shares Daniel, 24, Emily, 22 and Daisy, 15, with wife of 25-years Dawn Andrews, but none of his three children have sought fame, despite their father’s huge success
Brian May’s son Jimmy May
Job: Physiotherapist
He is one of the biggest musicians in the world, however the son of Queen guitarist Brian May has completely contrasted his dad’s rock and roll lifestyle.
Instead of touring the world, Jimmy May, who Brian shares with his first wife Chrissie Mullen, pursued a career as a physiotherapist.
The healthcare professional as worked at top Harley Street practices and even trained with Sarah Key, a physiotherapist to King Charles.
Working at a range of clinics throughout London, it is clear Jimmy inherited his scientific mind from his father who also studied Maths and Physics at Imperial College London and went on to complete a PhD in Astrophysics in 2007.
Instead of touring the world, Jimmy May, who Brian shares with his first wife Chrissie Mullen, pursued a career as a physiotherapist
Ulrika Jonsson’s daughter Bo Jonsson
Job: Nanny
Swedish-born Ulrika Jonsson rose to fame in the early 90s as a weather presenter before moving on to front the hit show Gladiators on ITV.
Yet her daughter, Bo, 23, has shunned this exciting life – after training to be a nanny for the rich and famous at the prestigious Norland College.
Back in April 2023 Ulrika, 57, shared snaps with her daughter after she graduated from her university course to become a nanny.
The TV star told how proud she was of her daughter – who was born with a congenital heart condition – for reaching the milestone after always struggling with academia.
Praising more ‘practical’ degrees and apprenticeships she said Bo was a ‘grafter and a doer’ as she shared snaps from the ceremony at prestigious Norland College -where the Prince and Princess of Wales’s childminder learned her craft.
Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo – who looks after Prince William and Kate’s three young children, George, Charlotte and Louis – is also a graduate of the prestigious Bath nanny school.
The training costs £36,000 in total and includes martial arts training and stunt driving to its curriculum to cater for modern clients – many of whom are celebrities and the super-rich.
Ulrika Jonsson’s daughter Bo, 23, has shunned the showbiz life – after training to be a nanny for the rich and famous at the prestigious Norland College (pictured at her graduation in 2023)
She trained at the prestigious Norland College where the Prince and Princess of Wales ‘s childminder learned her craft
Bruce Springsteen’s son Sam
Job: Firefighter
Legendary musician Bruce Springsteen has released 21 studio albums throughout his six-decade long career.
Yet music didn’t appeal to his son Sam who became a firefighter in Jersey City in 2020.
Previously speaking to the New York Times about his son’s profession Bruce, 75, said: ‘It was a long road.
‘He was very dedicated for quite a few years and we are just excited for him today.’
Sam graduated from the Monmouth County Fire Academy in 2014, and then went on to work as a volunteer firefighter in Colts Neck, the area of New Jersey where he grew up.
His parents had front-row seats as he accepted his duties as a firefighter for the district.
He told ABC News at the time: ‘This is my son’s day, so I’m staying out of it.’
While Sam keeps his life private, Bruce’s wife Patti previously revealed that Sam had welcomed his first child in July 2022, Lily Harper Springsteen.
Music didn’t appeal to Bruce Springsteen’s son Sam who became a firefighter in Jersey City in 2020
Harrison Ford’s son Ben
Job: Chef
Harrison Ford regarded as a cinematic cultural icon with his films grossing more than $9.3 billion worldwide.
However despite his father’s huge success, his son Ben wasn’t tempted into a life in the spotlight and instead works as a chef in a low-key restaurant.
He founded Ford’s Filling Station in LAX airport in Los Angeles – which has a 3.5 star rating on Trip Advisor.
And he is also the founder of California Southland Doorstep Market, which promotes locally-grown products and hand-crafted goods.
Ben has previously spoken of how his dad helped inspire his passion for cooking.
He told the Mail: ‘My father was definitely around when I was growing up, and he likes to cook too.’
And he added: ‘Seeing how meticulous he was at his craft has stayed with me as a chef.’
Chef Ben and his father actor Harrison attend the Los Angeles Mission’s Christmas Eve for the homeless on December 24, 2012
Roger Taylor’s daughter Rory
Job: Doctor
Brian May’s son isn’t the only offspring of Queen to enter the health sector after Roger Taylor’s daughter Rory pursued a career as a doctor.
Unlike Roger’s son Rufus who has followed in his father’s footsteps as a drummer, Rory works for the NHS as a west London GP.
Rory has a Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and actively encourages people to check their boobs so they can be proactive about early signs of cancer through her work with CoppaFeel.
She’s one of the breast cancer charity’s Medical Advisory Group members and has complteted a 60 mile, five-day trek across the Sahara to raise funds in November last year.
‘The most challenging part was trying to find the time to wear in my hiking boots in between work and life as a busy new mum, so I resorted to wearing them around the house and on nursery drop-offs,’ she said.
During the Covid pandemic, she was regularly featured on Channel Four news, where she spoke about restrictions and the fact hand sanitiser had been going missing.
Brian May’s son isn’t the only offspring of Queen to enter the health sector after Roger Taylor’s daughter Rory pursued a career as a doctor
Rory has a Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and actively encourages people to check their boobs so they can be proactive about early signs of cancer through her work with CoppaFeel
Anna Wintour’s son Charles Shaffer:
Job: Doctor
Charles Shaffer could have capitalized on the celebrity kudos that comes with being the son of fashion icon and long-time Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
But Charles, 39, has shied away from the limelight and instead opted to become a doctor – following in the footsteps of his father who was a longtime professor of child psychiatry.
Charles got his undergraduate degree in Modern History at Oxford University, England, before returning to New York to complete his medical degree at Columbia University.
Having worked in hospitals across the US, he holds the position of Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Attending Psychiatrist at Weill Cornell.
Speaking in 2020, Anna gave a rare insight into her personal life as she revealed that Charles had become ‘very ill’ while treating Covid patients during the pandemic.
Sharing the news in a video posted on the Vogue Instagram account at the time, she said: ‘My son is a doctor. He is currently quite ill and self quarantining at home but when he is able, he will return to the ICU at his hospital.
‘I am so proud of him and so grateful to all the health workers, first responders, nurses and doctors who are fighting to reduce the spread of the virus and to save lives.’
Charles Shaffer could have capitalized on the celebrity kudos that comes with being the son of fashion icon and long-time Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, but instead he became a doctor
Bill Murray’s son Homer
Job: Chef
Ghostbusters’ actor Bill Murray’s son Homer strayed from the acting path as he also headed to the kitchen to pursue his career.
Homer Murray initially worked as a photo assistant and had the opportunity to travel extensively, sampling a whole host of cuisines, which is how he discovered the love of cooking.
Upon his return to the US, he opened his own restaurant in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn in 2012.
Now called 21 Greenpoint, and having received a Michelin star, it serves a range of dishes including fried calamari, pork collar and the Spaghetti Meg Ryan.
When the restaurant first opened, the actor, 74, was seen tending the bar and pouring shots for guests.
The Lost In Translation actor reportedly told the rowdy revellers: ‘I am so happy… that he has not continued in the family business.’
Ghostbusters’ actor Bill Murray’s son Homer strayed from the acting path as he also headed to the kitchen to pursue his career
Speaking to the New York Post at the time, Homer said: ‘[My dad] has been very supporting of me.
‘He didn’t do this because I asked him to. He didn’t do this because he thought it would drum up business. He did this because he wanted to. That’s the beauty of it.’
On the restaurant’s website, Homer has a photo alongside his famous father with a quote from the actor that reads: ‘Homer has taken the joy of the family to have a drink, have a meal, and have friends together in one place, and made it his life’s work.’
Robert De Niro’s son Raphael
Job: Real Estate Broker
Raphael De Niro, 46, is the eldest son of acting legend Robert – but he has proved to be incredibly successful in his own right.
Growing up, he showed great entrepreneurial spirit, working various summer jobs including at a Persian rug store, as a doorman, and as a busboy at his father’s Nobu restaurant.
Raphael, whose parents divorced when he was just a pre-teen, later attended New York University but did not end up graduating.
Early signs suggested he would follow in his father’s acting footsteps after making a handful of on-screen appearances but he eventually decided to break away from the family tradition.
Instead, he found his feet as a real estate broker in New York and worked his way up in the property industry.
Raphael eventually founded his own team under the Douglas Elliman real estate umbrella in 2004.
The De Niro group soon became the company’s top earning team, bringing in an average of more than $250million in sales to the company annually.
And Raphael counts famous faces such as Renee Zellweger and Kelly Ripa among his client base.
Raphael De Niro, 46, is the eldest son of acting legend Robert – but he has proved to be incredibly successful in his own right as an real estate broker
Willem Dafoe’s son Jack
Job: Environmentalist
Willem Dafoe, 67, has had a legendary Hollywood career, having won several Academy Awards and BAFTAS.
Yet despite his famous dad and his director mother Elizabeth LeCompte, Jack has focussed on a different path – using legal skills to have save the environment.
He previously worked in public policy as a Senior Policy and Research Associate at the New York City Apollo Alliance, which seeks to catalyse a clean energy revolution that will put millions of Americans back to work.
He now works as Assistant Attorney General in the Natural Resources Division in Maine, New England.
According to thethings.com, he earns roughly $600,000 from his work – a hefty pay packet but not as much as his dad’s.
Perhaps his love of the natural world comes from his father, who has said he avoids eating meat because of the damage it does to the planet.
He told Foodiamo in 2018: ‘I don’t eat meat. I admire vegans, but I’m only a vegetarian.
‘I like to eat fish once in while, but I don’t eat meat anymore because animal farms are one of the main causes of the destruction of the planet.’
Yet despite his famous dad and his director mother Elizabeth LeCompte, Jack has focussed on a different path – using legal skills to have save the environment