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Raising Entitled Brats

child spoiled[Blind Gossip] You hear all the time about celebrity parents who do everything to ensure that their child becomes part of Hollywood. Whether it’s calling in favors or casting the child in their own projects, they go to great lengths to make their child a star, regardless of whether the child is talented or motivated.

This parent is the opposite. He is an award-winning, over-40 actor who has given many great performances over the years.

One of his children wants to be a professional actor. However, rather than easing their path, our actor is actually making it tough on them. He lets the kid go on auditions… but calls producers and casting agents and asks them to reject the child. His rationale behind this?

I’m not raising entitled brats here. I don’t want them growing up to be a Gwyneth Paltrow or one of those Smith kids. You know… one of those people who was born on third base but acts like they hit a home run? All entitlement and no talent.

This is a brutal business. I’m not going to make it easy for them. Let ’em learn how to deal with rejection. Let ’em learn how to come back stronger. If they still want to do this by the time they are an adult, at least they will have earned it.

Similar: Parents Quash Announcement

Actor:

[Optional] Do you agree with the Actor’s philosophy?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Weekenderbedford says

    I pick Michael Douglas for the following reasons: Although he put his eldest son in a movie, Cameron was an adult. Douglas has said several times that his youngest don is begging him to get movie parts for him. He’s also commented how tough the business is in terms of rejection, and that you have to learn to accept it. Although friends with Gwyneth Paltrow’s parents, he is alleged to have been angry with her when she made derogatory comments about the age gap during filming of The Perfect…

  6. mermaidh2 says

    I feel like this is Sylvester Stallone. He struggled for YEARS trying to make it and Rocky almost got canned when he insisted to the studio that he star in it since he wrote it. He has some teenage daughters who frequently accompany him on the red carpet…one or more is an aspiring model/actress. I totally see him being a “tough love” dad.

  7. CherMSW says

    Yes. Corinne Foxx is hitting all the auditions since her stint as Miss Golden Globe. She hasn’t been cast in a single thing – not even a guest appearance on a bullshit ABC Family show. Just until recently, she was going by her surname of Bishop. In the last few months she changed it to Foxx, ready for Hollywood to start calling. I’m not sure if he wants her to feel the struggle of the audition process/hard work or if he wants to ensure that she finishes college. As a parent, I agree.

  8. Dagney says

    Rick (Ricky) Schroder. The hint is the silver spoon in the photo. Ricky was in the TV series Silver Spoon.

  9. frenchmind says

    I understand not wanting your kids to be entitled just because mommy or daddy is famous and has influence and can get them everything they want.
    But what if the kid is actually talented and fit the role perfectly? Maybe the dad should call producers, casting crew and say “hey my kid is there to try out for that role. Don’t do them a favor just because they’re my kid. If he/she doesn’t portray the character, isn’t talented enough, please don’t give them the role”.

  10. purpleunicorn says

    Not sure but sounds good to me. Love his baseball analogy he used there! Why would anyone let their child be in the entertainment business?? It rarely seems to bode well long term: Abuse, drugs, jail, incompetent relationships, suicide. Let your kid be a kid. Go make your own money as all good parents should. Pimps are just as bad as the players.

    • purpleunicorn says

      I just realized I quoted Melania Trump with that last line there… 😉 Good ol’ Melly Bean.. keeps it so real

  11. jasper says

    40+ and baseball reference?
    Bull Durham’s Tim Robbins? I heard Susan’s daughter was trying to break in.
    Costner has a brood. not sure how many want to act?

    Trouble with Curve’s Clint Eastwood? Francesca had a minor role in Heroes Reborn. not sure about rest offhand.
    Co-Star Goodman only has one daughter and she seems to prefer behind the camera? (when not being his arm candy.)

    The Rookie’s Dennis Quaid? Jack already had a role in Hunger Games.

  16. Breathless says

    My guess is for Johnny Depp and the kid being his daughter Lily-Rose. Isn’t she modeling now and trying to break into the business?

    • jasper says

      Lily was in Kevin Smith’s Tusk and Yoga Hosers, and will likely be in the third “Moosejaw Trilogy” as well, filming soonish.

  20. PomegranatePam says

    Scorned people also feel entitled. If this kid finds out what his father is doing, he could turn into a bigger brat. You can’t teach kids to be grateful by lying to them.

  22. sukie3 says

    without question this is Michael Douglas. He has mentioned that his middle child (the son with Zeta Jones, can’t think of name) wants to act. And he LOATHES Gwyneth P. for making a snarky comment about his advanced age when they played a married couple in a movie.

  23. seatac says

    Tom Hanks? He’s got a 20-year-old son and the “home run” comment makes me think of A League of Their Own.

  25. mar1ey says

    He is waaay over 40, but I am going to guess Arnold Schwarzenegger and his son, Patrick, who wants to be an actor. Arnold worked very hard to get where he is, and Maria has worked hard as well.

    Now, if his son is a good actor, then he shouldn’t be turned down for roles…however, he shouldn’t be given roles as a favor to his father.

    I do appreciate that his father wants him to understand hard work and dedication are the keys to success.

  26. kimbers says

    Hugh bonneville from downtown abbey and did the Paddington bear movie. The pic makes me think of him and his interviews are awesome! He has a son.

  27. Stackhouse says

    I don’t know why, but I thought of Matt Damon from the beginning to the end of this blind. Don’t know if it’s him, but this gave me a really strong Matt Damon vibe. I agree with the thought behind this, but I do think if the kid was GENUINELY good enough to get the part s/he were auditioning for, then the kid should know that. Don’t give them anything for free, but what’s earned is earned. Or else he might ruin their confidence, and that’s not the right way to go.

    • chicagogirl says

      You could really be right about this given what he just posted about not playing nepotism to help his son’s music career. Perhaps Indio also tried it at acting and RDJ had the same response?

  29. emmmma123 says

    Al Pacino about his daughter Julie Tarrant.

    It’s a gut guess. For whatever reason, I read the quotation with his voice in my head.

  30. Camila says

    I agree with him but I woud just refuse to help. You know, I wouldn’t be calling any favour and all that but I also wouldn’t sabotage the kid.

  31. moxiegumption says

    I think it’s Brad Pitt. The baseball analogy in the quote made me think of Moneyball, and he used to date Gwyneth Paltrow. The boy in the picture has puffy lips like his bio children.

  32. alexag says

    Actor: No idea

    [Optional] Do you agree with the Actor’s philosophy? I do, unless the child deserved the role/landed the role based on performance and not last name

  36. totskie says

    Bull Durham’s Kevin Costner? Whoever the parent is, I applaud him. Now that is a parent. The Smith’s might want to take note on how to handle their kids.

  37. melrose22 says

    This made me think Bryan Cranston. He seems like the type of guy who would want his kids to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.

  42. WhoDatGirl says

    Bruce Willis? It seems to me his daughters don’t get many roles, which implies that maybe he isn’t helping them out? I have no idea. This is a total guess, but I am choosing him based on the way the guy is talking.

  43. flythai167 says

    I have no idea.

    Kudo’s to the parents. I think it’s a great philosophy. Too many entitled kids in Hollywood. Jenners/Kardashians….I hate reading about them everyday. These people need to earn the money they’re making with talent.

  44. The Beagle says

    I don’t have a good guess for this one. However, while I agree with the idea of making the kid work for their roles, actively hindering them isn’t good either. It’s entitlement turned around. This person is still calling in favors in the name of their child.

    • random6 says

      I don’t think it’s Michael Douglas–his first son was in that crappy movie with him and Kirk “It Runs in the Family” even though he can’t act. Michael also made “A Perfect Murder” with Gwyneth and he was friends with her parents.

  52. thelasthigh says

    it’s a pointless endeavor. their child will have a huge advantage regardless.

    Parents in show biz aside, Gwyneth Paltrow is a talented, Oscar winning actress. There are plenty of celebrity children (and calling her parents “celebrities” is pushing it) who don’t achieve what she has. People can dislike her but she far surpassed her parents’ fame based on her own talent.

    • VexTheVixen says

      Yes, the child will still have a huge advantage, but I don’t think it is a pointless endeavor. After reading Blind Gossip for years, at least this Dad is trying to protect his child from the “molestation minded sleaze bags” to get parts. All of those auditions and rejections will also prove if the child truly wants to act by trying again and again and trying to improve each time. Acting is a tough and uncertain career. Even if you make it big, how long will it last?

  54. sublimeLime says

    I don’t know who the actor is.

    Yes I agree with his philosophy. Nothing worth having is easy and you appreciate it more when you finally get it. If this kid wants it he/she should work for it.

  58. troubleintheforest says

    I have no idea who this dad is, but I love him. We need more parents like this in this world. Go dad!

  60. whoisthatguy says

    Not sure who the actor is, but telling the producers and agents to reject them is wrong. He should just tell them not to do him any favors, and award the parts based on the best audition performance.

  62. Pinkieswear says

    Maybe Hugh Jackman?

    I agree with his sentiment, but if he’s purposely ruining any legitimate chance his child might have – that’s mean and wrong.

    • mostlylurker says

      not so. kid will ALWAYS have an entre into the field. ther eis no “legitimate” chance being ruined. Its not mean due to the intent, and IMHO not wrong.

  63. IamJayDee says

    I don’t know who this is, but this I think this is a great idea. A lot more celebrity offspring could use a parent like this.

  64. I Am PunkA says

    Not sure who it is, but I respect their parenting. Trying to raise kids that aren’t entitled is tough, so good for him.

  65. dawggy says

    Love this actor’s parenting philosophy – good on them.

    I would think Matt Damon or someone like that but I think his kids may be too young. Let’s see

  69. ispyaqwerguy says

    “I’m not raising entitled brats here. I don’t want them growing up to be a Gwyneth Paltrow or one of those Smith kids…” Well damn!!! LOL!

    I’ve no idea who this is but I like him!

    • michelleaugust92 says

      Scott Eastwood has had roles in a few movies, so probably not him. Unless this about Francesca.

  71. Mia444 says

    I want to say Rob Lowe and one of his goony sons (they look like their mom), but he was the popular guess to a previous blind about having an entitled brat of a son at some fancy college, so it wouldn’t scan. Unless he thinks entitlement only refers to help in the acting arena. OK, I’m saying Rob Lowe. lol

    • Kerzep says

      Tom Hanks already helped one of his kids get a place in Hollywood, and the other has a substance abuse issue. His wife is rumored to play the “do you know who I am” card all the time, so no, they aren’t above nepotism and entitlement.

    • TheRevanchist says

      His kids are way too old and both have acted (Chet had minor parts when he was younger).

      Also Colin grew up in Northern California, away from the Hollywood spotlight, which is why he’s normal. If I remember it right, Colin was cast as a teen in Roswell when no one knew he was Tom’s kid.

  73. taracu says

    I have no idea why this name came to mind , but, Harrison Ford.

    He seems curmudgeonly enough to do this.

  75. hairsofthedog says

    Idk, but the silver spoon makes me think Ricky Schroder. I thought this was a shot from Richie Rich, which would have been another RS clue, but that kid’s obviously not Macaulay Culkin. Ricky Schroder does have four kids who are probably around the right age for the clue.

    • lagally says

      No because Ricky made a movie with his daughter as she wanted to be an actress
      She is the spitting image of him
      Very cute
      Western cowboy horse movie

    • random6 says

      I agree about Rick Schroder–he did win a Golden Globe for best new male star for “The Champ” in 1979 and he has 4 kids.

      It wouldn’t be Brad Pitt, but it would have been funny if it was him commenting since he was engaged to Gwyneth Paltrow!

      Tom Hanks’ first son (not by Rita Wilson) has been in a lot, and while he’s a decent actor, I’m sure that Tom helped him along the way.

  76. chaseboogie says

    I don’t know who this is, but I like what he’s doing. Too many of these celebrity kids are screwed up and feel entitled.

  79. Seahawks12 says

    Actor: Have no idea who it is, but I nominate this actor as “Father of the Year”. I especially love those who he named as entitled, talentless brats.

    [Optional] Do you agree with the Actor’s philosophy? Oh, yes! A thousand times YES!

  82. bostonmark says

    I appreciate the father’s intention, but proactively sabotaging his own child doesn’t seem fair to the child.

  83. woowoo says

    I don’t know who this could be. I commend this person for not wanting to raise an uneducated, entitled little twit.

    However, I’m not sure about telling people flat out not to hire the kid. What if the kid is perfect for the part? It seems like too much interference. Maybe just heads up casting and tell them only to hire the kid only if they’re truly the best.

    • tellmemore says

      I imagine that in Hollywood saying, “Don’t hire my kid unless he’s really good” is something a lot of people say when they don’t really mean it, just so everyone can say they earned it on talent. Tori Spelling said she got on 90210 when she auditioned using a fake name so no one knew who she was. Riiiiight – like none of the casting people on an Aaron Spelling show knew who his kids were.

  85. shelaur22 says

    I don’t know who this is, maybe Sean Penn?, but “born on third base but acts like they hit a home run” is AWESOME.

    • javajolted says

      I agree. But actually, the actor screwed that up. It’s “born on third base and thinks he hit a triple.” (If he’s on third base he would not have hit a home run.)

  87. Raoul Duke says

    Perhaps Paul Rudd?

    Oh yeah, I respect that philosophy and agree. Too many examples of talentless offspring coasting off a name without trying to achieve.

  88. mandlee says

    Dont know who they are but bravo to them. too many kids, even non celeb ones are treated like glass these days. cant offer offer them criticism, cant tell them what they dont like. this is just decent parenting

  89. redstilettos says

    I can understand not letting the path be easy, but not sure if it’s fair to tell directors/producers/etc to reject the kid. I could see parents telling them to only cast if the kid is talented and right for the role. It’s prob a bit sticky. My husband jokes that most of the people who make in Hwood either movies, TV or music are all part of a Hollywood family. Quite a bit true. Can see the point about Paltrow and the Smith kids. Paltrow couldn’t even finish her freshman year at UCSB.

  91. VinylDestination says

    Actor – I have no idea

    But can totally r e s p e c t his choice to go this route for his child. It’s great practice to earn something yourself.

    LMAO @ Gwyneth Paltrow! She’s annoying and not that great of an actress either.

  93. dynamodavid says

    Sounds like this actor is a complete * of a dad.
    What if his child gives a great audition, and is the best for the part?
    It sounds as if the actor doesn’t want his child outshining him.

    • Okayeah says

      Right. The kid is young and has NO experience, and has probably never taken an acting class in his life. But you think that somehow he’s going to end up being the best one who auditions out of all the other actors in LA? This dad is doing his kid(s) a huge favour by forcing them to go through the rejection that every other actor on the planet has to experience. They either want it and will work hard for it, or they don’t and won’t.

    • luvprue1 says

      I agree. The actor sounds like a *. It one thing to want your child to get in on his/or her own merit , but it’s another to tell them not to cast them. Suppose the child star is actually good? Do he have to go on the casting couch to get a role?, because if the parent keep going behind his/or her back and telling people not to cast them , the actor/actress is going to think that’s what they have to do.

    • erindipity says

      I agree there’s got to be a happy medium. If the kid can perceive accurately that he’s not terrible and can’t even land a one-liner, he’s going to end up being just as messed up and thinking it’s something to do with his personality. “Don’t do any special favours,” is quite far from “actively sabotage and reject on a constant basis.”

    • MrsBreeder says

      Disagree. These are children who are given EVERYTHING in life, never have to worry about anything. How many young “models” and “actors” are there out now? Life is full of rejection; even talented actors don’t get the part due to a variety of reasons.

      I think the kid should feel lucky to have a parent who cares about the final result, and not just instant fame.

    • kspeedian says

      I’m sure if the kid did AMAZING, and was truly most deserving of the part, then whoever was doing the casting would explain that to the father… And I would think the dad would either let the kid take the part right away seeing as he did earn it, or they’d just have him audition a bunch of times so he didn’t fee so secure, etc. Point is, I just think this is more about teaching him good values & self worth, not unnecessarily taking away what he deserves to hurt him. I say it’s good…

  97. wfreshie says

    that is a little too rough…don’t have a guess but love the kid in the pic…he captures the essence of snobbishness

  98. brasileira says

    No idea who that is, but I wish there were more like them not only in Hollywood, but in each and every kind of industry. It would be a much just world if nepotism were a card out.