15 Celebrities Who Are Godparents To Famous Kids
Hollywood friendships often run deeper than red carpets and movie sets. When celebrities choose godparents for their children, they’re making a statement about trust, loyalty, and lifelong bonds.
Some of the most beloved stars in entertainment history have taken on the sacred role of guiding and protecting the next generation of famous kids, creating connections that last forever.
Disclaimer: This entertainment feature reflects widely reported, publicly documented godparent relationships at the time of writing; roles may be formal or informal depending on family tradition, and reputable sources can vary in how they describe personal details.
15. Steven Spielberg: Godfather To Drew Barrymore And Gwyneth Paltrow
Directing blockbuster movies wasn’t the only way Steven Spielberg shaped Hollywood history. After casting a young Drew Barrymore in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the legendary filmmaker became such a trusted mentor that her family asked him to be her godfather.
Paltrow has described Spielberg as her godfather, tied to his longtime friendship with her family.
Spielberg’s guidance helped both actresses navigate the challenges of growing up in the spotlight, offering wisdom that only someone who truly understood the industry could provide.
14. Elizabeth Taylor: Godmother To Paris Jackson
Hollywood royalty met pop royalty when Elizabeth Taylor accepted the honor of becoming Paris Jackson’s godmother. The iconic actress shared a decades-long friendship with Michael Jackson, bonding over their mutual understanding of fame from childhood.
Taylor’s compassion and fierce protection of those she loved made her the perfect spiritual guide for Paris.
Though Taylor passed away in 2011, Paris has spoken about Taylor’s impact and has connected with her legacy, including work with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
13. Macaulay Culkin: Godfather To Paris Jackson
Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin formed an unlikely but genuine friendship with Michael Jackson during the height of both their careers.
Understanding what it meant to be a child star in an overwhelming world, Culkin provided Jackson’s children with someone who truly got their unique experiences.
Paris Jackson has spoken publicly about her close relationship with Culkin, who continues to be a supportive presence in her life.
Their bond represents the kind of authentic connection that transcends Hollywood superficiality and offers real guidance.
12. Elton John: Godfather To Brooklyn And Romeo Beckham
When David and Victoria Beckham needed godparents for their sons Brooklyn and Romeo, they turned to music legend Elton John.
The Rocket Man singer’s friendship with the Beckhams blossomed through charity work and mutual respect, creating a bond strong enough to include family responsibilities.
Elton’s larger-than-life energy and generous heart brought joy and wisdom to the Beckham boys’ lives. Having navigated decades of fame himself, the singer offered unique insights into maintaining authenticity while living under constant public scrutiny.
11. Cicely Tyson: Godmother To Lenny Kravitz
Legendary actress Cicely Tyson’s godson Lenny Kravitz grew up with one of the most dignified and talented women in entertainment history as his spiritual guide.
Tyson’s friendship with Lenny’s mother, actress Roxie Roker, created a family connection that shaped the future rock star’s values and artistic vision.
Throughout her life, Tyson exemplified grace, strength, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Kravitz has credited his godmother with teaching him about resilience and staying true to one’s artistic vision regardless of trends or criticism.
10. Dolly Parton: Godmother To Miley Cyrus
Country music icon Dolly Parton became Miley Cyrus’s godmother through her close friendship with Billy Ray Cyrus in the early 1990s. The relationship went far beyond a ceremonial title, with Dolly actively participating in Miley’s life and career development.
Parton’s wisdom about navigating fame, reinvention, and staying authentic proved invaluable as Miley transitioned from Disney star to pop powerhouse.
The two have performed together multiple times, showcasing a genuine affection that makes their godmother-goddaughter relationship one of Hollywood’s most heartwarming connections.
9. Joan Collins: Godmother To Cara Delevingne
Dynasty star Joan Collins brought old Hollywood glamour into supermodel Cara Delevingne’s life as her godmother. Collins’s friendship with Cara’s family, particularly her parents, created a connection that gave the young model access to decades of entertainment industry wisdom.
Joan’s sharp wit, fierce independence, and unapologetic confidence provided Cara with a powerful role model.
The godmother-goddaughter duo has been publicly affectionate about their godmother and goddaughter bond, with Collins offering guidance on handling fame with style and maintaining personal boundaries in an intrusive media landscape.
8. Quincy Jones: Godfather To Nicole Richie
Music producer extraordinaire Quincy Jones became Nicole Richie’s godfather through his longtime friendship with Lionel Richie. Quincy’s influence on Nicole’s life extended beyond music into lessons about creativity, business, and navigating the entertainment world with integrity.
With a career spanning decades and genres, Jones brought unparalleled industry knowledge to his godfather role.
Nicole has spoken about how both her father and godfather taught her to appreciate artistic excellence and the hard work required to achieve lasting success in entertainment.
7. Michael Jackson: Godfather To Nicole Richie
Nicole Richie had not one but two musical legends as godfathers, with Michael Jackson joining Quincy Jones in that role.
Jackson’s friendship with Lionel Richie began during their collaboration on We Are the World and deepened into a bond strong enough to include family.
The King of Pop’s presence in Nicole’s early life exposed her to unprecedented levels of creativity and showmanship. Though Jackson’s life was complicated, his godfather role represented the deep trust and affection he shared with the Richie family during their decades-long friendship.
6. Henry Winkler: Godfather To Bryce Dallas Howard
Happy Days star Henry Winkler’s friendship with director Ron Howard led to a godfather role for Ron’s daughter, actress Bryce Dallas Howard.
Winkler and Ron Howard worked together during the height of Happy Days’ popularity, forming a friendship that transcended their on-screen collaboration.
The Fonz brought warmth, humor, and genuine care to his godfather duties. Bryce has shared stories about how Winkler’s encouragement and belief in her abilities helped shape her confidence as both an actress and director in her own right.
5. Norman Lear: Godfather To Katey Sagal
Television legend Norman Lear served as godfather to actress Katey Sagal, best known for her roles in Married with Children and Sons of Anarchy. Lear’s friendship with Katey’s family gave her access to one of the most influential minds in television history.
As the creator of groundbreaking shows like All in the Family and The Jeffersons, Lear understood comedy, social commentary, and storytelling.
His guidance helped Katey navigate her own television career with intelligence and authenticity, following in her godfather’s footsteps of choosing meaningful projects.
4. Jacqueline Bisset: Godmother To Angelina Jolie
British actress Jacqueline Bisset became Angelina Jolie’s godmother through her close friendship with Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand. Bisset’s elegance and international career provided young Angelina with an example of sophisticated, boundary-crossing stardom.
Throughout Angelina’s childhood and early career, Bisset offered a European perspective on acting and life that complemented her Hollywood upbringing.
The godmother’s grace and intelligence helped shape Angelina’s own approach to using fame as a platform for humanitarian work and meaningful artistic expression.
3. Jamie Lee Curtis: Godmother To Jake Gyllenhaal
Scream queen turned versatile actress Jamie Lee Curtis is Jake Gyllenhaal’s godmother. Her longstanding friendship with their parents, director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner, created a family bond that enriched the siblings’ Hollywood upbringing.
Curtis’s no-nonsense approach to acting and life gave Jake and Maggie practical wisdom about the industry.
Her own experience as a Hollywood legacy child helped her guide them through similar challenges with humor and honesty that only someone who’d walked that path could offer.
2. Paul Newman: Godfather To Jake Gyllenhaal
Legendary actor Paul Newman shared godfather duties for Jake Gyllenhaal alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, bringing his own brand of integrity and talent to the role. Newman’s friendship with Jake’s parents meant the young actor grew up with one of cinema’s greatest stars as a spiritual guide.
Newman’s commitment to craft, philanthropy, and living with purpose provided Jake with an exceptional role model.
The Cool Hand Luke star’s influence is visible in Jake’s own career choices, favoring challenging roles and maintaining privacy despite intense public interest.
1. Drew Barrymore: Godmother To Frances Bean Cobain
Drew Barrymore’s friendship with Courtney Love led to her becoming godmother to Frances Bean Cobain, daughter of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain.
Having navigated a highly public childhood in the spotlight, Drew brought unique understanding to the godmother role for Frances.
Both women knew what it meant to grow up with famous parents while facing intense public scrutiny. Drew’s journey from troubled child star to successful actress and producer offered Frances a roadmap for overcoming adversity and building an authentic life beyond her parents’ legendary status.
