Celebrity Kids With Famous Godparents
Having famous parents must definitely be a trip, but for some celebrity kids, their extended family includes even more famed individuals — including these famous kids who were bestowed with celebrity godparents.
Perhaps the most well-known celebrity kid-godparent duo is Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton, but did you know that the iconic director Steven Spielberg is godfather to not one but two ultra-famous actresses who are icons in their own right? Or that Marisa Tomei and Lisa Bonet‘s friendship, developed on the set of the 1980s sitcom A Different World, has turned into a lifelong bond that includes Tomei being godmother to all three of Bonet’s kids?
The most recent major celeb godparent news is the bombshell dropped in Netflix’s Harry & Meghan: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry asked Tyler Perry to be their daughter’s godfather after they forged an extremely special bond during the Sussexes’ incredibly intense departure from the royal family and the UK at large.
Tyler Perry is the godfather to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter, Lilibet. The actor recently shared the one responsibility he wasn't too keen on. https://t.co/EKn7QF0bYm
— SheKnows (@SheKnows) December 16, 2022
The three had never spoken until Perry reached out to Meghan ahead of her nuptials to Harry in 2018, and although they were but acquaintances at the time of the Sussexes’ move to North America in 2020, Perry offered them his home when they needed a safe place to stay during the COVID-19 pandemic, away from the constant intrusion of paparazzi. They’ve remained extremely close ever since, and that closeness reached its peak after Lilibet Diana’s arrival in 2021.
Retelling the story for the docuseries, Perry explained that he, Meghan, and Harry frequently check in with each other: “We’ll call and we’ll chat and we’ll talk about silly things, but [during one call] they were pretty serious on the phone and I go, ‘Okay, what’s going on?’ They said, ‘Well, we’d like for you to be Lili’s godfather.’ I go, ‘Whoa.’ I had to take a minute to take that in,” Perry shared. “And I thought, ‘I’d be honored. I’d be absolutely honored.'”
He (semi) jokingly added, “I got off the phone, took it all in, and then called them back, and I go, ‘Uh, hold on a second — does that mean we gotta go over there and do all of that in the church with [the royal family] and figure that all out, because I don’t wanna do that. Maybe we can do a little private ceremony here and let that be that, and if you have to do it there, then that’s okay.”
From Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Lee Curtis to Nicole Richie and Michael Jackson, read on for more famous godparent-kid connections.
A version of this story was published in January 2023.
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James, Inez, Betty, & Olin Reynolds & Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift revealed in a hilarious Instagram post that she’s godparents to longtime friends Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ four kids —James, Inez, Betty, and Olin.
Celebrating the release of Reynolds’ and Hugh Jackman’s movie Deadpool & Wolverine, she shared a photo on her Instagram story of herself with Lively, Reynolds, Jackman, and director Shawn Levy.
“Over the past few years I have watched one of my best friends on the planet pour every bit of his heart, soul, sweat, time, energy, jokes, pain, joy, rebellion, darkness, and magic into this film,” she wrote on her Instagram Story, per E! News. “He’s created the best work of his life, and this film feels like an actual joy portal, a wild escape from reality, and an abs sandwich. I don’t know how he did it.”
“But that’s just Hugh for you!” she joked.
She eventually acknowledged Reynolds as well. Or, at least she acknowledged his Deadpool character. “Shout out to Wade Wilson,” she wrote, “aka my godkids’ sperm donor.”
Luai Shammas & Stephen & Ayesha Curry
Lindsay Lohan and Bader Shammas’ son Luai has an enviable set of godparents — NBA star Steph Curry and actress Ayesha Curry! Random as it may seem, Lohan and Ayesha starred alongside each other on Irish Wish.
Lohan announced the news in a sweet way, posting a picture on Instagram of her, her husband, and Steph at a Golden State Warriors game. Shammas is holding up a signed Curry jersey that says, “To Luai, Your godparents love you!”
Kit & Spencer Kaling & B.J. Novak
Fans of The Office costars Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak have often speculated that he is the father of her daughters Kit and Spencer. It’s a topic Kaling has addressed in the past, and though she says the rumors are untrue, her BFF does play a very important role in their lives.
“He’s the godparent to both my kids—and they have such a great relationship—and so far [the rumors haven’t] affected my happiness at all, it hasn’t affected my kids or B.J,” she told Marie Claire in August 2022. “…If that’s what is going to be titillating to people, I’ll take it.”
Billie Lourd & Meryl Streep
Billie Lourd has a godmother who is just as epic as her late mother. Because Star Wars star Carrie Fisher’s daughter’s godmother is Meryl Streep!
“I mean, she’s Meryl Streep,” Lourd told Andy Cohen when he asked what it’s like to have such a legendary actress as her godmother.
Meadow Walker & Vin Diesel
Vin Diesel had such a close bond with his Fast & Furious costar Paul Walker, that Walker named him the godfather of his daughter Meadow. After Walker’s tragic passing, Diesel was the one to walk Meadow down the aisle at her wedding.
Kendall & Kylie Jenner & Kathie Lee Gifford
As for the Jenner girls, TV presenter Kathie Lee Gifford is the godmother to her friend Kris Jenner’s daughters, Kendall and Kylie.
Nell & Billy Ray Burton & Johnny Depp
Tim Burton, Helena Bonham Carter, and Johnny Depp were quite the trio back in the day. So it’s unsurprising that Depp is the godfather of the former couple’s kids, Nell and Billy Ray.
Garrett Hedlund & Tim McGraw
Seeing as how Tim McGraw is a father figure to Garrett Hedlund — both on and off screen — it was only fitting that Hedlund choose the country singer to be the godfather of his son Rhodes Robert, who he shares with ex Emma Roberts.
Princess Lilibet & Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry and the Sussexes formed a close friendship during the couple’s tumultuous transition out of the royal family, and it wasg recently revealed in the Harry & Meghan docuseries that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry asked Perry to fill the role of godfather for their daughter, Lilibet Diana.
Perry recalled the moment the Sussexes asked him to be a part of their family, explaining, “They said, ‘Well, we’d like for you to be Lili’s godfather.’ I go, ‘Whoa.’ I had to take a minute to take that in. And I thought, ‘I’d be honored. I’d absolutely be honored.'”
Miley Cyrus & Dolly Parton
Perhaps the most famous celebrity godparent-child relationship is that of Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton. During Billy Ray Cyrus’ reign in the ’90s country music scene, he and Parton became close friends. When Miley arrived, he and ex-wife Tish Cyrus asked her to be their little girl’s godmother, and the two women has remained famously close ever since — they even hosted a New Year’s Eve show together at the end of 2022.
Zo? Kravitz & Marisa Tomei
Marisa Tomei starred alongside Lisa Bonet in the ’80s sitcom A Different World, and they remain friends to this day. In fact, the two women are so close that Bonet named Tomei the godmother of her eldest daughter, Zo? Kravitz. It’s become a bit of a family tradition.
Nakoa-Wolf Momoa & Lola Momoa & Marisa Tomei
Marisa Tomei is also godmother to Lisa Bonet’s youngest two children, Lola and Nakoa-Wolf. Bonet shares Lola and Nakoa-Wolf with ex-husband Jason Momoa and Zo? with ex-husband Lenny Kravitz.
Nicole Richie & Quincy Jones
When the iconic Lionel Richie adopted Nicole Richie, he bestowed upon her two equally iconic godfathers — one of which is legendary music producer Quincy Jones. Jones collaborated with Richie on his many hit songs in the 1980s, and Nicole inherited two “god-sisters” as well out of Jones’ own two daughters.
Who’s Nicole’s other godfather, you ask?
Nicole Richie & Michael Jackson
A longtime friend and frequent collaborator of Lionel Richie’s, the late Michael Jackson was godfather to Nicole Richie as well.
Jackson named another famous figure godfather of all three of his kids — think Home Alone and Richie Rich…
Blanket, Paris, & Prince Jackson & Macaulay Culkin
Macaulay Culkin formed a close friendship with Michael Jackson during his days as a child star, and their bond goes beyond life itself — Culkin is god-dad to all three of Jackson’s kids, Paris, Prince, and Blanket.
Coco Arquette & Jennifer Aniston
Best friends both on and off screen, Jennifer Aniston is godmother to Courteney Cox’s daughter Coco.
James Newman & Jessica Alba
Jaime King and Jessica Alba are close friends — so close that King asked Alba to be the god-mom of her eldest son, James Newman. Little James also has a famous godfather…
James Newman & Topher Grace
That ’70s Show star Topher Grace is James’ godfather.
Jaime King’s youngest son has a ultra-famous godmother as well…
Leo Newman & Taylor Swift
Music icon Taylor Swift is god-mom to Jaime King’s son Leo Newman — Swift announced the news herself on her Instagram, writing, “Guess who just got named Godmother of this little one….. (ME) @jaime_king @kyle_newman.”
Violet Affleck & Victor Garber
Extremely close friends since co-starring in Alias as father and daughter, Victor Garber and Jennifer Garner are more akin to family than just friends. When her youngest daughter, Violet, was born, Garner asked Garber to fill the role of godfather to her second child with ex-husband Ben Affleck.
Rocco & Wilder Faison & Zach Braff
Former Scrubs co-stars turned besties are now more like family — Donald Faison chose Zach Braff to be godfather to both his son Rocco and his daughter Wilder.
Gwyneth Paltrow & Steven Spielberg
Close friends with her parents Blythe Danner and Bruce Paltrow, legendary film director Steven Spielberg is Gwyneth Paltrow’s godfather. He’s also god-dad to another iconic actress of the same generation…
Drew Barrymore & Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg is Drew Barrymore’s godfather as well — the E.T. director helped Barrymore land her debut role in the movie when she was just 7 years old.
The Charlie’s Angels actress also has an insanely iconic godmother…
Drew Barrymore & Sophia Loren
Legendary Italian actress Sophia Loren is Drew Barrymore’s god-mom. But the string of famous connections doesn’t stop here — Barrymore herself is also godmother to one of the most famous celebrity children of the ’90s…
Frances Bean Cobain & Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore was close friends with Courtney Love around the time her daughter was born, so Barrymore was named godmother of the Nirvana singers’ little girl.
In a 2007 interview with Jane magazine, Drew revealed, “Courtney and I have not seen each other in a while, so I haven’t had the pleasure of being in Frances [Bean Cobain’s] life for a few years. That’s a great loss for me, and I hope to reconnect with her.” It’s not clear today whether the two women are in contact or not.
Barrymore named one of her very best friends the godmother of her youngest daughter, and she may or may not be a fellow Angel…
Frankie Kopelman & Cameron Diaz
That’s right — Charlie’s Angel co-star-turned-best friend, Cameron Diaz, is godmother to Drew Barrymore’s youngest daughter, Frankie.
Emme & Max Anthony & Leah Remini
Jennifer Lopez chose her longtime friend Leah Remini to be godmother to her twins, Emme and Max.
Jake Gyllenhaal & Jamie Lee Curtis
Halloween icon Jamie Lee Curtis is godmother to none other than Jake Gyllenhaal. Curtis and The Day After Tomorrow actor’s parents — director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner — are lifelong friends.
Gyllenhaal himself is godfather to a celebrity couple’s daughter …
Matilda Ledger & Jake Gyllenhaal
In addition to costarring alongside both Michelle Williams and the late Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain, Jake Gyllenhaal is godfather to their daughter, Matilda.
Williams also chose a close celebrity friend to be Matilda’s godmother …
Matilda Ledger & Busy Philips
Best friends since their days on the set of Dawson’s Creek, Michelle Williams asked Busy Philips to be god-mom to her daughter Matilda.
Philips has two daughters herself, one of which has a famous godmother too…
Birdie Silverstein & Lizzy Caplan
When Busy Philips gave birth to her eldest daughter, Birdie, she asked her fellow Freaks and Geeks alum, Lizzy Caplan, to be her child’s godmother.
Zachary & Elijah Furnish-John & Lady Gaga
Kindred musical spirits and close friends Elton John and Lady Gaga are also more like family, thanks to John and his husband naming Gaga godmother of both their sons, Zachary and Elijah.
The “Rocketman” singer himself may be the ultimate godfather, as he’s been bestowed the title by ten famous friends, including …
Brooklyn & Romeo Beckham & Elton John
Victoria and David Beckham named fellow Brit and close friend Elton John godfather of their eldest sons, Brooklyn and Romeo. The boys also have a famous godmother…
Brooklyn & Romeo Beckham & Elizabeth Hurley
Supermodel Elizabeth Hurley stands opposite Elton John as the eldest Beckham boys’ god-mom. Bringing the situation full circle, John is also godfather to Hurley’s son Damian.
Fear not for the Beckhams’ youngest kids, for they also have a celebrity godmother …
Cruz & Harper Beckham & Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria was bestowed the title of godmother by Victoria and David Beckham on behalf of their two youngest children, Cruz and Harper.
David himself is godfather to a celebrity kid …
Sailor Gardner & David Beckham
Liv Tyler’s husband David Gardner is a longtime close friend of David Beckham’s, so when their son Sailor was born in 2015, the couple asked Beckham to fill the role of god-dad.
Sean Lennon & Elton John
One of Sir Elton John’s other godchildren — not all of whom are famous — is the son of fellow British musician. The Beatles’ John Lennon chose the “I’m Still Standing” singer to be the godfather of his son Sean, who he shared with his wife Yoko Ono until his tragic murder in 1980
Rocco Ritchie & Sting
Madonna isn’t the only single-name music icon in her son’s life. The “Like a Virgin” singer named Sting to be godfather to Rocco, along with his wife, Trudie Styler, as Rocco’s godmother.
Vivienne & Knox Jolie-Pitt & Bono
Speaking of single-name music icons, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie named Bono godfather of their twins, Vivienne and Knox.
Iris Law & Kate Moss
Model Kate Moss and actress Sadie Frost were longtime friends by the time Frost’s daughter — whom she shares with ex-husband Jude Law — arrived in the world. Frost asked Moss to be Iris’ godmother.
Lila Moss & Sadie Frost & Jude Law
When Moss gave birth to her own daughter, Lila, she asked Frost and Law to return the favor by being her godparents.
Theo Gabel & Josh Gad
Bryce Dallas Howard’s husband, Seth Gabel, is childhood friends with Josh Gad. So when Howard and Gabel’s son Theo arrived, the couple named Gad the little boy’s god-dad.
Howard, daughter of famed director Ron Howard, has a famous godfather herself …
Bryce Dallas Howard & Henry Winkler
Ron Howard and Henry Winkler forged a lifelong friendship while acting together on the set of Happy Days, and when Bryce arrived in the ’80s, her dad asked The Fonz to be her godfather.
