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While it's certainly naive to think that everything we see in the movies is real, some of the lies they pull off are really impressive. Like the actual age gaps between some of the actors who play parent and child. Take Heath Ledger and Kate Mara in Brokeback Mountain, for example. At the time of producing the movie, Ledger was 25 and Mara was 21. Yet their portrayal of Ennis and Alma Jr. was totally believable!

And this isn't a one-time thing; it happens more than you're probably aware of. But don't worry, Bored Panda is here to open your eyes. We have compiled a list of on-screen relatives with ridiculous real-life age differences, so sit back, continue scrolling, and you'll have a better understanding of Hollywood in no time.

#1

Estelle Getty Was Actually Younger Than Bea Arthur When She Played Her Mom In Golden Girls

Estelle Getty Was Actually Younger Than Bea Arthur When She Played Her Mom In Golden Girls

NBC Report

But wait, there's more awkwardness when it comes to co-stars playing each other's relatives. For instance, they may end up having to work with people who have dated their exes. Weird, right? But I've got something even spicier. How about portraying family members with someone you actually date in real life!

It may sound unnatural to us but these are top-class professionals we're talking about and they have no problem with it. Georgia Moffett and David Tennant were daughter and father in Dr. Who but they started dating and even got married in 2011!

Also, Chris Pratt dated Emily VanCamp.These two secretly got together when they started to work together on Everwood, playing brother and sister but broke up after a couple of years together.

#2

Angelina Jolie Was Colin Farrell's Mom In Alexander, But In Reality They’re Only A Year Apart

Angelina Jolie Was Colin Farrell's Mom In Alexander, But In Reality They’re Only A Year Apart

Warner Bros Pictures Report

There's also a really meta example of these types of interesting relationship dynamics. Arrested Development was a show that had numerous references to incest and one time, the showrunners actually used a brother and sister duo to portray potential lovers.

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In the episode "Family Ties", Michael Bluth (played by Jason Bateman) believes that he has another sister named Nellie (Justine Bateman). After going through the Bluth Company's old computer files, Michael finds a number for a girl with such a name. He believes this girl to be his long lost sister, but she is actually a prostitute who works for his father.

Michael hires Nellie for the Bluth Company, while unaware of her true profession, and eventually Nellie leads Michael to a hotel where she admits that she is attracted to him. So throughout the episode, Justine had to go on dinner dates with her real-life brother Jason, admit she was attracted to him and have him ask her to marry her at the end.

My point is this: When the chemistry between the actors is good, when the characters are well-developed and the make-up is spot-on, who cares if the stars are of a similar age or have a thing going on in real life? If it works, it works.

#3

Sally Field Was Tom Hanks's Mom In Forrest Gump. However, She's Just 10 Years Older Than Him, And Even Played His Love Interest In Punchline A Few Years Earlier

Sally Field Was Tom Hanks's Mom In Forrest Gump. However, She's Just 10 Years Older Than Him, And Even Played His Love Interest In Punchline A Few Years Earlier

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StIJN
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as her personage ages 20 years in that movie it seems logical to take an actress that's not too old to start with. adding age seems easier with make up

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#4

When She Starred In This Is Us, Mandy Moore (36) Was Younger Than All Of The Actors Who Played Her Children

When She Starred In This Is Us, Mandy Moore (36) Was Younger Than All Of The Actors Who Played Her Children

ABC Report

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Pamela24
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In this instance, it made sense, though...considering how much she was jumping throughout the timeline.

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#5

In Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Cher Played Meryl Streep's Mom Even Though She Was Only Three Years Older Than Her Co-Star

In Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Cher Played Meryl Streep's Mom Even Though She Was Only Three Years Older Than Her Co-Star

Universal Pictures Report

#6

In Mean Girls, Amy Poehler Is Only Seven Years Older Than Her Daughter, Rachel Mcadams

In Mean Girls, Amy Poehler Is Only Seven Years Older Than Her Daughter, Rachel Mcadams

Paramount Pictures Report

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Sarcastic Panda
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

maybe its because in the film she'd had loads of plastic surgery?

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#7

The Actors Who Played Father And Son In "Blue Bloods", Tom Selleck And Len Cariou, Have An Age Difference Of Just Six Years

The Actors Who Played Father And Son In "Blue Bloods", Tom Selleck And Len Cariou, Have An Age Difference Of Just Six Years

CBS Report

#8

Johnny Depp Is Five Years Older Than His Movie Mom In "Blow", Rachel Griffiths

Johnny Depp Is Five Years Older Than His Movie Mom In "Blow", Rachel Griffiths

New Line Cinema Report

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#9

Father And Son In Supernatural, Jeffrey Dean Morgan And Jensen Ackles, Were Born Just 12 Years Apart

Father And Son In Supernatural, Jeffrey Dean Morgan And Jensen Ackles, Were Born Just 12 Years Apart

warnerbros Report

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JuJu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no! Next you're telling me that neither JDM nor Jensen Ackles are real-life demon hunters!!!!!! This whole post is redundant.

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#10

In Jane The Virgin, Andrea Navedo Is Only Seven Years Older Than Her Daughter, Gina Rodriguez

In Jane The Virgin, Andrea Navedo Is Only Seven Years Older Than Her Daughter, Gina Rodriguez

The CW Report

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Biljana Malesevic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's pretty obvious from the start Andrea is too young to play mother of anyone older than 12. It really annoyed me in this series, they think we wouldn't notice?

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#11

"Flicka's" Main Character, Katy, Is Supposed To Be A Teenager. But The Actress, Alison Lohman, Was 27 At The Time, Making Her Just 13 Years Younger Than Her Movie Dad, Played By Tim Mcgraw

"Flicka's" Main Character, Katy, Is Supposed To Be A Teenager. But The Actress, Alison Lohman, Was 27 At The Time, Making Her Just 13 Years Younger Than Her Movie Dad, Played By Tim Mcgraw

Twentieth Century Fox Report

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#12

In Brokeback Mountain, The Age Difference Between Heath Ledger And Kate Mara Playing Father And Daughter Was Just Four Years

In Brokeback Mountain, The Age Difference Between Heath Ledger And Kate Mara Playing Father And Daughter Was Just Four Years

Focus Features Report

#13

Elizabeth Rodriguez And Dascha Polanco Played Mother And Daughter In Orange Is The New Black, But In Real Life There's Less Than A Two-Year Age Gap Between Them

Elizabeth Rodriguez And Dascha Polanco Played Mother And Daughter In Orange Is The New Black, But In Real Life There's Less Than A Two-Year Age Gap Between Them

Netflix Report

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Biljana Malesevic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think everyone noticed they could play sisters and no way mother and daughter. First time Dascha said "she is my mother" I was like "you have to be joking, she is your age!". but nope, they just hoped it will pass.

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#14

In Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, The Age Difference Between Sean Connery And Harrison Ford Is 12 Years

In Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, The Age Difference Between Sean Connery And Harrison Ford Is 12 Years

paramount Report

#15

Bryce Dallas Howard Played Taron Egerton's Mom In Rocketman, But There's Only An Eight-Year Difference Between Them

Bryce Dallas Howard Played Taron Egerton's Mom In Rocketman, But There's Only An Eight-Year Difference Between Them

Paramount Pictures Report

#16

Daughter And Mother: Janet Hubert And Karyn Parsons In The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Daughter And Mother: Janet Hubert And Karyn Parsons In The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

warnerbros Report

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King Joffrey
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes but the thing with Janet Hubert is that she doesn't look much older now that she's 65.

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#17

Winona Ryder Is Only Six Years Older Than Zachary Quinto, And She Played His Mother In The 2009 Star Trek

Winona Ryder Is Only Six Years Older Than Zachary Quinto, And She Played His Mother In The 2009 Star Trek

Paramount Pictures Report

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Saint Thomas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one kind of makes sense 'in universe', since Vulcans have a very long lifespan. Mother and son could look more or less the same age, even with a gap of 20/30 years.

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#18

Constance Marie Is Only Four Years Older Than Jennifer Lopez But She Played Her Mother In Selena

Constance Marie Is Only Four Years Older Than Jennifer Lopez But She Played Her Mother In Selena

Warner Bros Pictures Report

#19

In The 2019 Film "Glass," Charlayne Woodard Plays The Mother Of Samuel L. Jackson's Character, Elijah (Aka Mr. Glass). The Only Problem Is That, At 66, She's Five Years Younger Than 71-Year-Old Jackson

In The 2019 Film "Glass," Charlayne Woodard Plays The Mother Of Samuel L. Jackson's Character, Elijah (Aka Mr. Glass). The Only Problem Is That, At 66, She's Five Years Younger Than 71-Year-Old Jackson

Universal Pictures Report

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#20

Mother And Son: Julia Roberts & Ryan Reynolds In Fireflies In The Garden

Mother And Son: Julia Roberts & Ryan Reynolds In Fireflies In The Garden

Senator Entertainment Inc. Report

#21

Father And Son: John Noble And Sean Bean In The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King

 Father And Son: John Noble And Sean Bean In The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King

warnerbros Report

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Eliška Hůlková
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Orlando Bloom is actually older than Lee Pace, who played his father in The Hobbit. That should have been on this list!

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#22

Cuba Gooding Jr. And Laurence Fishburne In 'Boyz N The Hood'

Cuba Gooding Jr. And Laurence Fishburne In 'Boyz N The Hood'

Summit Entertainment Report

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Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Laurence Fishburne has always looked much older than he is. He was only 14 in Apocalypse Now but passed as much older to get the role.

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#23

In Six Feet Under, Frances Conroy And Peter Krause Play Mother And Son, But They’re Only Separated By 12 Years

In Six Feet Under, Frances Conroy And Peter Krause Play Mother And Son, But They’re Only Separated By 12 Years

HBO Report

#24

Mother And Son: Mary Steenburgen & Will Ferrell In Step Brothers

Mother And Son: Mary Steenburgen & Will Ferrell In Step Brothers

Columbia-Pictures Report

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Lisa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the outtakes from Stepbrothers is just great, especially Mary's scenes.

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#25

In "Footloose," The Stodgy Town Reverend, Played By John Lithgow, Is Only 12 Years Older Than His Fictional Daughter, Played By Lori Singer

In "Footloose," The Stodgy Town Reverend, Played By John Lithgow, Is Only 12 Years Older Than His Fictional Daughter, Played By Lori Singer

Paramount Pictures Report

#26

In Prodigal Son, Bellamy Young (50) And Michael Sheen (51) Are Only 12 And 13 Years Older Than Tom Payne (38), Who Plays Their Son

In Prodigal Son, Bellamy Young (50) And Michael Sheen (51) Are Only 12 And 13 Years Older Than Tom Payne (38), Who Plays Their Son

FOX Report

#27

Wesley Was Already 27 When He Was Cast As Stefan In "The Vampire Diaries." Stefan's Mother, Also A Vampire, Is Played By Annie Wersching, Who Is Only Six Years Older Than Wesley

Wesley Was Already 27 When He Was Cast As Stefan In "The Vampire Diaries." Stefan's Mother, Also A Vampire, Is Played By Annie Wersching, Who Is Only Six Years Older Than Wesley

The CW Report

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로희
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hollywood loves to hire over 25 year-old actors to play teen characters and they don't even look that young. Thus, as an Asian, when I was little I used to think that Caucasians age much faster than us Asians.

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#28

Michael J. Fox And Lea Thompson Are The Same Age — Even Though Fox's Character In "Back To The Future" Is Thompson's Son. Her Older Look Was Achieved With Facial Prosthetics

Michael J. Fox And Lea Thompson Are The Same Age — Even Though Fox's Character In "Back To The Future" Is Thompson's Son. Her Older Look Was Achieved With Facial Prosthetics

Universal Pictures Report

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StIJN
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and she also has to play her younger self so here it's even more valid to do so. (it makes sense unlike the title of the topic would make you believe)

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#29

Lorne Greene Was Only Seven Years Older Than Ava Gardner, Who Played His Daughter In This 1974 Disaster Film

Lorne Greene Was Only Seven Years Older Than Ava Gardner, Who Played His Daughter In This 1974 Disaster Film

Universal Pictures Report

#30

In Blue Bloods, Len Cariou Plays Tom Selleck’s Father, Even Though There Is Only A Six-Year Difference In Age, With Cariou Being 81 And Selleck Being 75

In Blue Bloods, Len Cariou Plays Tom Selleck’s Father, Even Though There Is Only A Six-Year Difference In Age, With Cariou Being 81 And Selleck Being 75

CBS Report

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#31

Adam Garcia Is Two Years Older Than Drew Barrymore, And He Played Her Son In Riding In Cars With Boys

Adam Garcia Is Two Years Older Than Drew Barrymore, And He Played Her Son In Riding In Cars With Boys

Sony Pictures Report

#32

"Succession's" Brian Cox Only Has 10 Years On His Oldest TV Son, Played By Alan Ruck

"Succession's" Brian Cox Only Has 10 Years On His Oldest TV Son, Played By Alan Ruck

HBO Report

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#33

Merrilee Mccommas Is Just 10 Years Older Than Minka Kelly, Who Plays Her Daughter Lyla Garrity On "Friday Night Lights." Kelly Was Supposed To Be A High School Sophomore, But Was 26 When The Show Premiered

Merrilee Mccommas Is Just 10 Years Older Than Minka Kelly, Who Plays Her Daughter Lyla Garrity On "Friday Night Lights." Kelly Was Supposed To Be A High School Sophomore, But Was 26 When The Show Premiered

NBC Report

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#34

Step-Mother And Son: Kelly Rowan And Benjamin Mackenzie In The Oc

Step-Mother And Son: Kelly Rowan And Benjamin Mackenzie In The Oc

warnerbros Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well to be fair, a step mom can be younger than the children in real life too

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#35

There Was Only A 10-Year Age Gap Between John Marshall Jones And Essence Atkins, Even Though They Played Father And Daughter On Smart Guy

There Was Only A 10-Year Age Gap Between John Marshall Jones And Essence Atkins, Even Though They Played Father And Daughter On Smart Guy

warnerbros Report

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#36

In General Hospital, Genie Francis (Laura Spencer) Is Only 10 Years Older Than Tyler Christopher (Nicholas Cassadine), Her Onscreen Son

In General Hospital, Genie Francis (Laura Spencer) Is Only 10 Years Older Than Tyler Christopher (Nicholas Cassadine), Her Onscreen Son

ABC Report

#37

Olivia Wilde And Justin Timberlake In 'In Time'. Justin Timberlake, Who Plays Olivia Wilde's Son In The Sci-Fi-Tinged Flick, Is Actually Three Years Older Than The Woman Who Plays His Mom

Olivia Wilde And Justin Timberlake In 'In Time'. Justin Timberlake, Who Plays Olivia Wilde's Son In The Sci-Fi-Tinged Flick, Is Actually Three Years Older Than The Woman Who Plays His Mom

Twentieth Century Fox Report

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Sarah Collas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did anyone see the movie? They are both supposed to be 25 because that's when you stop aging in this story

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#38

Lesley Fera Is Only 14 Years Older Than Her TV Daughter Troian Bellisario On "Pretty Little Liars." Bellisario Was 24 When She Was Cast To Play 16-Year-Old Spencer Hastings. Her Mother, Played By Fera, Was 38 At The Time

Lesley Fera Is Only 14 Years Older Than Her TV Daughter Troian Bellisario On "Pretty Little Liars." Bellisario Was 24 When She Was Cast To Play 16-Year-Old Spencer Hastings. Her Mother, Played By Fera, Was 38 At The Time

ABC Report

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Biljana Malesevic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's pretty much the problem with all four girls, as they are much closer to 30 than to teen year, some are in later seasons way over 30, while their "moms" are barely into 40s.

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#39

If The George Lopez Show Were Accurate, Belita Moreno's Character Would Have Been 11 When She Gave Birth To George

If The George Lopez Show Were Accurate, Belita Moreno's Character Would Have Been 11 When She Gave Birth To George

ABC Report

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Tala Koala
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks old and dresses the part though, so the difference is believable

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#40

On The Parkers, Monique And Countess Vaughn Played Mother And Daughter, But There Was Only An 11-Year Age Gap

On The Parkers, Monique And Countess Vaughn Played Mother And Daughter, But There Was Only An 11-Year Age Gap

UPN Report

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qwerty
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Covering an unwanted comment, please keep scrolling.

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#41

Mother And Daughter: Holly Marie Comb And Lucy Hale In Pretty Little Liars

Mother And Daughter: Holly Marie Comb And Lucy Hale In Pretty Little Liars

ABC Report

#42

In The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, Janet Hubert And Karyn Parsons Played Mother And Daughter. There’s Only A 10-Year Age Difference Between The Two

In The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, Janet Hubert And Karyn Parsons Played Mother And Daughter. There’s Only A 10-Year Age Difference Between The Two

NBC Report

#43

The Woman Who Played Mrs. Mulder In The X-Files Is Only A Year Older Than David Duchovny, Who Played Her Son

The Woman Who Played Mrs. Mulder In The X-Files Is Only A Year Older Than David Duchovny, Who Played Her Son

fox Report

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Jonathan Klaus
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is false. that's Rebecca Toolan and she was born in 1941. Duchovny was born in 60. she could totally be his mother.

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#44

Mother And Daughter Ginnifer Goodwin And Jennifer Morrison Are Only One Year Apart

 Mother And Daughter Ginnifer Goodwin And Jennifer Morrison Are Only One Year Apart

ABC Report