Dynasties

I don't know what got me off on this rant - probably the statement I heard recently that some 40% of eligible voters today (and I doubt, actually, that this is true but...) weren't even alive during a time when there wasn't a Clinton or a Bush in office. So I got off on a wild hair about "family dynasties."

Which, of course, brings us to America's royalty - Hollywood: Those upon whose word we are expected to hang; those brilliant stars of intellect and talent who we can't ignore, no matter how much we might want to; those gems of our world who are the foremost authorities of all things political and social and economic. They are successful. We can't argue with that.

That their success comes from incredible raw talent and exceptional hard work and the undeniable spark of the truly 'special' is supposed to be obvious. There are many, many awards shows every year in which they can congratulate themselves and showcase their superiority to all of us less talented/hard working and special. We are supposed to dream of being 'discovered' like they were - but also supposed to realize that we could probably never attain their status - for they are truly special and we are truly not.

And how did they get there?

Nicholas Cage is the nephew of Frances Ford Coppola; Warren Beatty is Shirley McClain's brother; George Clooney is the nephew of Rosemary Clooney; Candace Bergen is the daughter of Edgar Bergen; Jamie Leigh Curtis is the daughter of actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh; Singer Norah Jones is the daughter of famous sitar player Ravi Shankar; "Hanna Montana" star (Miley Cyrus) is the daughter of Billy Rae Cyrus and Isabella Rossalini is the daughter of actress Ingrid Bergmann and director Roberto Rossalini. Amazing. Doesn't talent just run in families? Is it all in the genes? Melanie Griffith and Tippi Hedron (of Alfred Hitchcock movies) are daughter/mother; Larry Hagman is Mary Martin's son. Then there's Tori Spelling/Aaron Spelling; Pamela Springsteen/Bruce Springsteen; Marlo Thomas/Danny Thomas; Liv Tyler/Steven Tyler; or Michael Douglas and Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen and Charlie Sheen; Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn; Angelina Jolie and (shudder) Jon Voight. Oh - remember Tatum O'Neal and Ryan O'Neal?

There's siblings Rob Lowe and Chad Lowe; John Cusack and Joan Cusack; Peter Graves and James Arnett. Andrew, Owen, and Luke Wilson - are all brothers, of 'remarkable' talent, I'm sure.

Aspiring actress Rumer Willis, who appeared in 2005's "Hostage," is the daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore.

Don't even get me started on all the Baldwins, Arquettes, Barrymores, Redgraves and Fondas.

Here's one I didn't know: Mariska Hargitay, star of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, is the daughter of screen legend Jayne Mansfield.

Clint Eastwood's daughter Alison is now an "actress" too. Margo and Muriel Hemmingway are granddaughters of Ernest Hemmingway. Carrie Fisher, best known as Princes Leia in Star Wars, is the daughter of Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds.

And gee, actress/director Penny Marshall (who played “Laverne” in Laverne & Shirley and directed such movies as Big) is the sister of actor/director Gary Marshall.

"Karen" from The Office is the daughter of Quincy Jones and Mod Squad actress Peggy Lipton.

"Hobbit" Sean Austin is the son of 1960s TV icon Patty Duke.

Jennifer Aniston's father is a long-time soap opera star. Alan Alda, his father and step-brother are all actors. And who could forget Jeff and Beau Bridges, sons of Lloyd Bridges? Josh Brolin, son of James Brolin? Mathew Broderick, son of James Broderick?

You know... I'm not really convinced that a dynasty is the way to go. Just being related to someone, having connections, having a 'publicity machine' behind you may not make you the best person for the job.

Look at G.W. for heaven's sake.