Laura Dern Slams 'Nepo Baby' Label, Defends Hollywood Heritage

Laura Dern has spoken out against the 'nepo baby' label that's become common in the entertainment world, standing up for her family 's long-standing ties to Hollywood. The daughter of actors Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd, Dern first appeared on the big screen at age seven in Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, sharing the spotlight with her mother. By the time she was in her late teens, she had already carved out a respected place for herself in the industry.

In a recent interview with The Telegraph, the Blue Velvet actress reflected on how, if she were starting out today, she’d probably be called a 'nepo baby.' She didn’t hold back, saying,

“It ’s insane. I’m curious if anyone’s ever called your local butcher whose kids take over the business a ‘nepo baby’. Or a milliner.”

She went on to call the term “absurd,” adding,

“When I started I definitely wanted to be my own person and separate myself and have casting directors not mention my parents, because you want to stand on your own.”

Challenging the Narrative

Dern defended her family’s deep roots in the film business, explaining,

“Back then there wasn’t ‘nepo’ anything; it was part of a legacy story – I was raised in this industry.”

The Academy Award winner pointed to social media as a driving force behind the rise of the term, saying,

“But this generation? My kids’ age? It’s like it’s an embarrassing scarlet letter they’re wearing. I guess social media has done that…”

New Film and Audience Reactions

Dern’s latest project, Is This Thing On?, features Will Arnett as her estranged husband, who turns to stand-up comedy to cope with their breakup. Directed by Bradley Cooper, the film draws inspiration from the life of British comedian John Bishop. Dern shared how audiences have responded to the movie, saying,

“I’ve had so many people come up to me since the screening, saying, ‘I can’t wait to take my husband, we thought we were getting a divorce but I’m so in love with him.”

Is This Thing On? is scheduled to hit theaters across the U.S. on January 30, 2026.