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Gwyneth Paltrow’s Parents Are Hollywood Royalty – Here’s What to Know
Getty / Ron Galella
Gwyneth Paltrow‘s name has become synonymous with both Hollywood’s A-list and the contemporary wellness industry, but did you know that she’s actually a nepo baby? Gwyneth’s mother is Blythe Danner, who starred in “Meet the Parents” and “Will & Grace,” among many other well-known projects. Her father, Bruce Paltrow, was a director and producer who happened to also be best friends with Steven Spielberg (Paltrow’s godfather, per People). Gwyneth, to her credit, has seemingly wholeheartedly embraced the nepo baby title; when InStyle posted a photo of Hailey Bieber wearing her “nepo baby” T-shirt, Paltrow wittily commented “I might need a few of these.”
Her parents first met while working on a Broadway show in 1969, per People. They tied the knot in 1970 and welcomed Gwyneth in 1972 and her brother Jake in 1975. Gwyneth, of course, went on to follow in her mother’s footsteps, becoming a megastar and later launching her company Goop. She also was married to Chris Martin from 2003 to 2014, and the two share two children: Apple and Moses. Meanwhile, Gwyneth’s brother Jake is also an actor, writer, and director.
Ahead, learn more about Gwyneth’s parents.
WireImage / Jim Spellman
Gwyneth Paltrow's Dad: Bruce Paltrow
Gwyneth’s father, Bruce, was a director and producer. He created and executive produced the series “The White Shadow” (1978-1981) and also served as an executive producer on the drama “St. Elsewhere” (1982-1981), among other notable projects. His final movie, “Duets,” starred Gwyneth and Huey Lewis and premiered in 2000.
Sadly, he died of throat cancer in 1999. Over two decades later, Gwyneth discussed her grief on the podcast “By the Light of the Moon” in a 2022 episode. “The first year was just beyond – I don’t know how we all got through it, my mother, my brother and I. It was pretty messed up,” Paltrow said. “Anyone will tell you, who loses a love of their life like that, there’s just no other way but through. You just try to process your grief and keep going.”
Paltrow married producer Brad Falchuk in 2018, and she honored her dad in a special way during the ceremony. “My birthday is September 27 and so this past September, I got married on the 29th of September,” she said on the podcast “Armchair Expert” in 2019. “His ashes are buried under this beautiful tree at my house and we got married there – right near my dad.”
FilmMagic / Bruce Glikas
Gwyneth Paltrow's Mom: Blythe Danner
Gwyneth’s mom is an actor just like her daughter. Danner started her career on Broadway in the late 1960s, and soon moved to the silver screen. She starred alongside Robert De Niro in the 2000 comedy “Meet the Parents,” and sequels “Meet the Fockers” and “Little Fockers.” She also starred in “Will & Grace” and won two Emmy awards for her performance in the show “Huff” in 2005 and 2006.
Danner has also consistently supported her daughter’s career over the years. In 2016, she told People that she’s particularly fond of her daughter’s acting work. “If we can just get her away from Goop and get her back on the screen, that’s where I want her,” Danner said. “She’s such a phenomenal talent and a great businesswoman of course, but she’s such a unique talent as an actress, I’m really hoping and praying she gets back at it.”
In November 2022, Danner revealed she was in remission from oral cancer, the same disease her husband had died from. “It’s a sneaky disease. But I’m fine and dandy now. And I’m lucky to be alive,” she told People at the time.
