As the “A Different World” reboot continues to take over Netflix and gain new fans, one cast member, Alijah Kai, had folks shook when they found out that her TV mom, Tichina Arnold, is her real-life mom, too. But there are many more celebrity kids in Hollywood who you might not realize have famous parents, and we’re breaking down who they are.
Alijah Kai
Alijah Kai Haggins, Tichina Arnold at the 56th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors held at Novo on February 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
Alijah Kai Higgins is the daughter of TV icon Tichina Arnold, who has been making audiences laugh since the ’90s—first as Pam in the 1992 sitcom “Martin,” as Rochelle in the 2005 series “Everybody Hates Chris,” and most recently as Tina Butler on the CBS sitcom “The Neighborhood.”
John David Washington & Malcolm Washington
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 11: (L to R) Denzel Washington, Malcolm Washington, John David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler attend the Netflix Special Screening of “The Piano Lesson” at Ham Yard Hotel on November 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Netflix)
Not only are they filmmaking brothers, but Hollywood leading man John David Washington and director Malcolm Washington are the sons of two-time Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington.
Sasha Gabrielle Fox and Jillian Hervey
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 02: (L-R) Sasha Gabriella Fox, Singer Jillian Hervey, Helen Tinch, and Vanessa Williams attend the Lion Babe “Begin” Listening Party at The Roxy Hotel on February 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Pont/Getty Images)
Actress Sasha Gabriella Fox, who has starred in comedy films like “Tripped Up” (2023), and her older sister, Jillian Hervey—singer in the musical duo Lion Babe—are the daughters of multi-hyphenate star and Vanessa Williams.
Related: Black Celebrity Kids Who Look Exactly Like Their Famous Parents
Condola Rashad
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 10: Condola Rashad and her mother Phylicia Rashad pose as Condola Rashad recieves her caricature for her role in the MTC play “St. Joan” at Sardis on May 10, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)
Four-time Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad, also known as Dola, is the daughter of Phylicia Rashad, star of “The Cosby Show,” “The Gilded Age,” “Creed,” and many other notable projects. Of course, as Phylicia Rashad’s daughter, Condola is also the niece of actor and Broadway legend Debbie Allen.
Jasmine Cephas Jones
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 13: Jasmine Cephas Jones and Ron Cephas Jones attend the Blindspotting Los Angeles Premiere at Hollywood Forever on June 13, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for STARZ)
Jasmine Cephas Jones, who played Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds in the original Broadway cast of “Hamilton,” is the daughter of the late Ron Cephas Jones, who earned four Emmy nominations for his role as William Hill in the drama series “This Is Us.”
Bakari Sellers
Screenshot: YouTube/Times and Democrat
Attorney Bakari Sellers, who made history in 2006 by becoming the youngest African American elected official in the nation as a member of the South Carolina state legislature, got his civil rights roots from his dad, Cleveland Sellers. The elder Sellers was a prominent leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) during the Civil Rights struggle throughout the 1960s.
Nico Parker
21 March 2019…Dumbo – European Film Premiere held at Curzon Mayfair, 38 Curzon Street, London…Here: Thandie Newton and Nico Parker. (Photo by Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images)
You may have watched a film starring British actress Nico Parker before and felt she looked familiar. That’s because she’s the daughter of the one and only Thandiwe Newton, star of “Norbit,” “Mission: Impossible 2,” and “The Pursuit of Happyness.”
Deborah Joy Winans
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 31: (L-R) Carvin Winans, Marvin Winans, Deborah Joy Winans and Marvin Winans pose backstage at the 2019 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration at Atlanta Symphony Hall on January 31, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for BET)
Singer and actress Deborah Joy Winans, who starred in the church drama “Greenleaf,” has deep gospel roots. She is the daughter of composer and singer Carvin Winans, a member of the five-time Grammy Award-winning gospel group The Winans.
Alfred Enoch
Screenshot: YouTube/OL
Black British actor Alfred Enoch, who played Wes Gibbins in the ABC thriller series “How to Get Away with Murder,” is the son of the late English actor William Russell, who played the original companion in the British sci-fi series “Doctor Who” from 1963 to 1965.
Brooklyn Sudano
Brooklyn Sudano, Bruce Sudano and Donna Summer (Photo by Barry King/WireImage)
Disco icon Donna Summer and songwriter Bruce Sudano are the parents of actress Brooklyn Sudano. Brooklyn has starred in projects such as the 2005 family sitcom “My Wife and Kids,” the 2017 thriller series “Taken,” and the 2021 drama series “Cruel Summer.”
Grace Gibson
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 09: (L-R) Grace Gibson and Lynn Whitfield attend The Critics Choice Association’s 7th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television at Fairmont Century Plaza on December 09, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)
Musician and actress Grace Gibson, who starred in the 2017 Tupac biopic “All Eyez on Me” and worked in the music department of her mom’s 2024 drama, “Albany Road,” is the daughter of actress Lynn Whitfield.
Zoë Kravitz
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 10: Musician Lenny Kravitz (center) and actresses Zoe Kravitz (L) and Lisa Bonet R) attend the Saint Laurent show at The Hollywood Palladium on February 10, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Zoë Kravitz’s last name might give away that she is the daughter of rock legend and actor Lenny Kravitz, but it might come as a surprise that her mom is “The Cosby Show” and “A Different World” star Lisa Bonet. Their resemblance is uncanny.
Damon Wayans Jr.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 22: (L-R) Damon Wayans Jr., Damon Wayans and Marlon Wayans attend the 56th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for NAACP)
As the son of comedian Damon Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr. has kept the family business alive by starring in the sitcom “New Girl” (2011) and “Poppa’s House” (2024), and even making occasional cameos alongside his dad in “My Wife and Kids.”
Diana Ross and Tracee Ellis Ross
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 19: Singer Diana Ross and actress Tracee Ellis Ross pose in the press room at the 2017 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
Having made a name for herself in Hollywood, Tracee Ellis Ross may still catch some fans by surprise when they realize she is the daughter of Motown Records icon Diana Ross. Ross was also the lead singer of the Supremes and is responsible for timeless hits such as “Upside Down,” “I’m Coming Out,” and “It’s My House.”
O’Shea Jackson Jr.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: (L-R) O’Shea Jackson Jr. and Ice Cube attend the hand and footprint in cement ceremony for Ice Cube at TCL Chinese Theater on April 15, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images)
One look at O’Shea Jackson Jr. could clue you in to who his father is, but if you didn’t know, he’s the son of rapper and N.W.A. member Ice Cube. He even played his dad in the 2016 biopic “Straight Outta Compton.”
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