Nepo babies take note! The celeb offspring who pursued VERY unstarry careers

From Brooklyn Beckham and rapper Jaden Smith to models Kaia Jordan Gerber and Hailey Bieber, there’s shortage of nepo babies following in the footsteps of their famous parents by pursuing stardom.

But not all celeb offspring looked to benefit from their parents’ success. In fact, a few have chosen to carve out careers for themselves.

Often this requires spending years  at university (although they may be less worried about tuition fees than the average student) or taking up relatively unglamorous work away from the limelight. 

These celebrity children include Ben Ford, 55 – son of actor Harrison – who works as a chef, and  Jack Dafoe, 41 – son of actor Willem Dafoe – who works as an environmentalist.

Here FEMAIL brings you the best of those who choose to shun the celebrity lifestyle and pursue very un-starry careers. 

Bo Johnson, 22

Daughter of Ulrika Jonsson

Job: Nanny

A household name, Swedish-born Ulrika Jonsson, 55, rose to fame in the early 90s as a weather presenter before moving on to front the hit show Gladiators on ITV. 

Yet her 22-year daughter, Bo, seems to have shunned this exciting life – to be a reliable nanny for the rich and famous.    

Last year, she revealed a glimpse of her nanny training at the Norland College, where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s childminder learned her craft.

And she said she had wanted to work with children from a young age.  

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.

Bo is the much loved daughter of the Swedish TV personality, and often posts about her life on Instagram

And – like her mother – she often shares snippets of her schooling on Instagram – including her training in sewing and cooking, as well as placements caring for children as young as five weeks.

She delights her followers with images of her completed assessments, including one of a ‘fabric friend’ she created from up-cycled materials and embroidery.

Sharing a snap of the cat-like cushion, Bo wrote: ‘I really enjoyed making this and challenging my sewing skills.’ 

Bo – Ulrika’s second child – was born in 2000 with a congenital heart defect. Her father is German hotel boss Markus Kempen.

Ulrika has previously revealed how Markus wanted them to have a child together. 

But he then walked out on them following a life-saving heart operation that Bo underwent as a baby.

Writing in The Sun in 2021, Bo revealed that she had not met her father – although he had contacted her to in adulthood to try and get in touch. 

She also revealed she often felt ‘left out’ because of her father’s absence but admits that when her mother tried to show her pictures of him, she felt nothing, as if she was showing her a ‘stranger’. 

It wasn’t until Ulrika married Brian Monet that Bo felt a true father figure in her life – and asked that he adopt her. 

She later took his surname and is now known as Bo Jonsson Monet. 

Rory Taylor, 35

Daughter of Roger Taylor 

Job: GP 

The GP was featured in Queen’s music video You Are The Champions which they made to thank NHS stuff during Covid 

Queen’s drummer Roger Taylor shared his concerns over PPE for his daughter, who is a GP, after she suffered mild coronavirus symptoms

Roger Taylor, 73, is lauded as one of the biggest musicians in the world – famous for being the drummer of the rock band Queen. 

He also co-wrote three UK number ones – These Are the Days of Our Lives, Innuendo and Under Pressure, as well as five other major hits, such as Radio Ga Ga and A Kind of Magic.

Yet his daughter, Rory, 33, has a completely different life, working 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. 

Her protective dad Roger, who lives in a mansion in Surrey, also shared his own concerns over PPE for his daughter after she suffered mild coronavirus symptoms.

And he revealed that she urged him to take more Vitamin D. 

In a Sunday Times article in 2020, Roger said: ‘Of all my children, she has been perhaps the hardest working. 

‘It’s not easy becoming a doctor…but Rory has dealt with it all very stoically.’

In total, Roger has five children – Felix and Rory from his first marriage to Dominique Beyrand – and Rufus Tiger, Tiger Lily and Lola Daisy May with second wife Debbie Leng. 

Ben Ford, 55

Son of Harrison Ford 

Job: Chef 

Chef Ben and his father actor Harrison attend the Los Angeles Mission’s Christmas Eve for the homeless on December 24, 2012

Harrison Ford, 80, is one of the world’s most famous actors, with a career spanning more than six decades. 

Following a slow start, Ford gained worldwide fame for his starring role in Star Wars and the Indiana Jones sequels. He is said to be worth roughly $9 billion. 

Despite this, his son, Ben, 55, works as a chef in a low-key restaurant.

He founded Ford’s Filling Station in LAX airport in Los Angeles – which currently 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 is the eldest of Harrison’s two children by his first marriage to illustrator Mary Marquardt – his younger sibling is Willard, now 53.

But growing up, his dad mostly worked as a carpenter and had yet to become famous. 

In fact, he would often take Ben with him to building yards, teaching him tricks of the trade.

But Ben has also 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.’ 

After splitting up with Mary Marquard, Harrison then married Melissa Mathison, having two children, Malcolm, 35, and daughter Georgia, 32.  

A decade later, he adopted his now-wife Calista Flockhart’s son Liam, 21.

He told the Independent in 2010: ‘ My first child was born when I was 25; I reckon I’m a little better at [parenting] now.’ 

Hannah Selleck, 34

Daughter of Tom Selleck 

Job: Equestrian

Hannah Selleck watching Miami Beach Polo World Cup together with a handsome mystery man in 2022 

Actor Tom Selleck, with wife Jillie Mack (and daughter Hannah Selleck arrive at the Los Angeles Premiere “Killers” at the ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome in June 2010

Tom Selleck, 78, is an American actor known for his roles in Three Men and a Baby, and as Monica Geller’s love interest, Richard Burke, on Friends.

Despite his net worth being around $45million, his daughter Hannah has shunned the lavish lifestyle and opted for a career as an equestrian.

Hannah was born in 1998, to mother actress Jillie Joan Mack, Tom’s second wife – who performed in the West End show Cats.

And it seems Hannah is also successful in her own right.

She has won a string of medals at horseback riding competitions, including the 2010 Blenheim Summer Classic in California. 

In 2011, she told Equestrian Living magazine that her parents convinced her to pursue her passion. 

She said: ‘Because [my parents are] both artists, they believe in the idea that you have to be very passionate about what you do to be successful.

‘They encouraged me to be passionate about it and immersed in it, and from there it was kind of on me how much I wanted it.’

Tom also has a son, Kevin, 55, from his first marriage to model Jacqueline Ray from 1971 to 1982. 

He adopted Kevin – her son from a previous relationship – who has gone on to have a career in music. 

And while both his children are now grown, Tom still holds them dear to his heart. 

In 2018, he told Parade: ‘You never stop being a dad even though your kids are grown.’ 

Jack Dafoe, 41 

Son of Willem Dafoe 

Job: Environmentalist

Willem Dafoe, pictured here at a red carpet event. Although he supports his father at events, he mostly shuns the spotlight 

Willem Dafoe and Jack Dafoe attend the New York premier in 2018 – but Willem has not followed his father’s career

Willem Dafoe, 67, has had a legendary Hollywood career, having won several Academy Awards and BAFTAS. 

He is best known for his roles in The English Patient, American Psycho, The Last Temptation of Christ and Mississippi Burning.   

He married first wife American director Elizabeth LeCompte in 1997, with their son Jack being born in 1982.

Despite his starry parents, 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.’

Willem is now married to his second wife, Italian film director, Giada Colagrande but they have no more children.  ​ 

Pedro Coen, 28

Son of Frances McDormand 

Job:  Personal trainer

Frances McDormand, Pedro McDormand Coen and Joel Coen walk the red carpet during the 10th Rome Film Fest at Auditorium Parco Della Musica  in 2015

Pedro Coen, pictured here in his younger days, now iworks as a personal trainer and massage therapist, and often accompanies his mother to red carpet events

Frances McDormand is most famous for her role in the critically-acclaimed 2017 hit, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. 

But in her acceptance speech, she made sure to thank husband Joel Coen and their son Pedro.

She said: ‘These two stalwart individuals were well raised by their feminist mothers.

‘They value themselves, each other and those around them. I know you are proud of me and that fills me with everlasting joy.’ 

Pedro was adopted by the couple as a baby from Paraguay in 1995 and McDormand has been known to be very protective of her son. 

In a 2003 profile in the New York Times, McDormand said she disliked it when people ignored Pedro when he was with her. 

She also said she dug deep into her protective motherly love in order to play her famous role – of a bereaved and angry mother seeking justice for her murdered daughter. 

In a 2018 interview with the Belfast Telegraph, McDormand spoke candidly about the challenges of parenting.

She said: ‘I didn’t give birth to my son, I met him at six months old, but from the minute I held him and smelled him, I knew it was my job to keep him alive.

‘And as a parent, you also come to see how the worry and the anxiety that goes along with protecting someone who you give yourself to in that way – that you surrender to – can become degenerative.’  

Pedro, who splits his time between New York and California, works as a personal trainer and massage therapist. 

And he frequently posts on Instagram, where he describes himself as a public figure.

Sam Springsteen, 29

Son of Bruce Springsteen 

Job: Firefighter 

Sam Springsteen salutes during a ceremony as he is sworn in as a Jersey City firefighter in 2020 watched by his father and mother 

Evan Springsteen, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Sam Springsteen and Jessica Springsteen attend the 72nd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 10, 2018 in New York

Legendary musician Bruce Springsteen has three children, Evan, Sam and Jessica with his wife Patti Scialfa.

While Evan dabbles in music and Jessica is an equestrian, Sam opted for a more normal route.

In 2020, he became a fire fighter in Jersey City.

Speaking to the New York Times,  Bruce 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.’

However despite his father’s high profile, Sam is low-key about his own private life.

His Instagram page is set to private, with just 128 followers.

However Bruce’s wife Patti did previously reveal that Sam had welcomed his first child in July 2022, Lily Harper Springsteen.

She posted a snap of the happy couple pushing a baby in a carriage.

Renee Stewart, 30

Daughter of Rod Stewart 

Job Yoga and meditation teacher 

Renee Stewart attends a VIP dinner to celebrate the launch of ‘The Body Cream’ by Augustinus Bader at George Club in 2019

Rod Stewart and his daughter Renee Stewart pictured at the pre Grammy awards party in Los Angeles 2006 

The eldest child from Rod Stewart’s marriage to New Zealand model Rachel Hunter, Renee was born in June 1992. 

She studied at the London Contemporary Dance School for three years, and then began working as a freelance dance artist.

She is currently a dancer and a yoga and meditation teacher. 

According to NZherald, Renee, studied at the Sattva Yoga Academy in India.

She now offers rest-and-rejuvenation retreats, often in New Zealand. 

In 2019, she told TheTimes: ‘No disrespect to him [her dad], but you want to make your own life.

‘You want to be your own person. Trading off it can really screw you up and it kind of makes people cringe.’

She has said yoga helps with control over your mind and body – and this is why she likes it.  

Nicolas-Jacques Charrier, 62  

Son of Brigitte Bardot 

Job:  Engineer

Nicolas-Jacques Charrier works as an engineer in Norway. He reportedly had little contact with his mother until adulthood  

Actress and beauty Brigitte Bardot, Jacques Charrier and their three-day-old son Nicolas, born in 1960

Bardot’s only child, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier, was born in 1960 when the actress was at the top of her fame.

However according to BrigetteBardot.com, at the time, Brigitte was hesitant about having children and being a mother.

She said: ‘I did not want to give birth to an additional human being. I think there are too many on Earth. And they scare me.’

Meanwhile she said her pregnancy was also a challenge, explaining: ‘It was like a tumor that had nourished me, that I had carried in my swollen flesh, thinking only the blessed moment in which we would finally rid it.’

After she and Charrier divorced in 1962, Nicolas was raised by his father and the Charrier family. He had little contact with his mother until adulthood.

She told Nice- Morning in 2014: ‘I had a son who did not provoke in me a terrible development of the maternal fiber – it’s not my fault.’

On September 27, 1984, he married the Norwegian supermodel Anne-Line Bjerkan.

He now works as a systems engineer in Norway, and has two children Anna-Camilla and Thea-Josephine.