Hollywood's Next Generation

Hollywood has a long history of anointing future stars from the bloodlines of its reigning royalty. The young children of today's A-list, armed with talented genes and press-savvy pedigrees, are likely to be tomorrow's stage and screen superstars.

The commercial appeal and potential of celebrity kids is enormous. Audiences favor familiar faces, and many young stars can bank on the allure of their parent's celebrity brand. For example, an audience with an affinity for Goldie Hawn may now view Kate Hudson with similar affection.

"I have every confidence that when I'm old I'll be watching Tom Cruise's grandson in a movie," says Jake Halpern, author of "Fame Junkie."

Until then, the public can gaze upon Cruise's son, Connor, who is set to appear in the upcoming Will Smith flick "Seven Pounds." The 13-year-old Hollywood heir -- his mother is Nicole Kidman -- should be comfortable in front of the cameras, as he's had to navigate the paparazzi since he was small.

In Pictures: Hollywood's Next Generation

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Speaking of Smith, he hasn't hampered the acting ambitions of his children either. Son Jaden stole the screen with his role in "The Pursuit of Happyness" in which he played -- who else? -- Will Smith's son. Willow Smith will make her acting debut in the "American Girl" movie "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Mystery" (based on the popular books), scheduled for release in July 2008.

Some celebrity spawn have even outshone their parents, such as Miley Cyrus. With a fan base unfamiliar with her father's mulleted past, the 15-year-old has made the most of her musical genes. She has become a Disney-marketed powerhouse; her "Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds" concert film has earned nearly $70 million in box office receipts.

A-list kids often earn exposure and acting experience by playing the on-screen children of their parents. Though still a baby, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt appears as her real-life pop's daughter in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." And Jude Law's character's son in "Repossession Mambo" will be played by the actor's own son Rafferty.

Power and media attention is innate for the children of stars. While all children crave attention, the kids of Hollywood's power players command the spotlight from birth and for them fame may be more easily attainable.

But nepotism in Hollywood works both ways, as children can change the legacy of famous parents. Kids can serve to humanize their parent's public image while feeding the celebrity- gossip-hungry masses. "There's something fascinating about seeing these people who seem so polished having something as messy as a baby" says Halpern.

As with any power, fame can be dangerous in young hands. The spotlight can force undue stress on kids, who have not yet developed the emotional and cognitive abilities of their parents to deal with all the attention, says Beverly Hills therapist Rebecca Roy.

Showbiz youngsters should focus on being grounded and developing their sense of self. They also require a strong support system--whether that means parents, managers or assistants--to be aware and able to recognize signs of potential psychological problems like depression and anxiety. They need "someone who grounds them and doesn't treat them like a commodity or a breadwinner," says Roy, adding: "They need people around them to realize that they're children, not mini-adults."