These Celebs' Parents Also Have Sweet Gigs

When I was a young aspiring pop star, you couldn't tell me there was any job more satisfying than being absolutely famous. I was fascinated with Hollywood and the lives of my favorite entertainers, because it seemed so amazing to walk on red carpets and have your own personal assistant to fetch you coffee. At the time I thought nothing would be better. Of course, now that I'm older, I see the value in other more important endeavors beneficial to society beyond being a celebrity. In looking at the lives of some well-known celebs, it's interesting to note that not all of them come from show biz pedigrees, like so many members of the Hollywood elite. In fact, some celebs' parents have jobs that are way cooler than being famous.

The following mothers and fathers of celebrities might not be Hollywood famous, but they are accomplished in their own realms like education, medicine, and business. Based on what these parents do, fans can get a closer look into these celebrities' home lives, and also see how the influence of their successful parents may have rubbed off on the stars' own ambition. Check it out.

1. Ben Affleck's Parents, Christine Boldt & Timothy Affleck

Throughout his career, Ben Affleck has been heavily involved in politics and humanitarian causes, and he's got a good foundation from both of his parents. His mom, Christine Boldt, was raised in New York City. She was educated at Harvard University and eventually became an elementary school teacher, according to Breakthrough Greater Boston, a program that celebrated her contributions to education. According to a piece from The Harvard Crimson in 1964, his father, Timothy Affleck, was an actor and stage manager with the Theater Company of Boston.

2. Adam Levine's Parents, Fred & Lisa Levine

Levine's parents, Fred and Lisa, are very successful business owners. While their son is off being a pop star, Fred, Lisa, and Adam's aunt, Mardi Fox, own M. Fredric, a boutique store for men, women, and children.

3. Jon Bon Jovi's Dad, John Bongiovi, Sr.

This is my favorite thing ever. Jon Bon Jovi's real last name is the very Italian "Bongiovi," and his father, John Bongiovi, Sr. owns a very Italian business — a pasta sauce brand. Bongiovi pasta sauces are sold in Target stores across the country, and were created to support the Jon Bon Jovi Foundation. Their official site states their mission is to help families faced with poverty and homelessness.

4. Ariana Grande's Dad, Edward Butera

Grande's father, Edward Butera, is a very successful graphic designer, artist, and photographer, which must be where Grande gets her artistic side from. Butera owns ibi designs, inc., a full-service creative studio in Boca Raton, Florida, and the company offers services in advertising, design, videography and more, according to its official website.

5. Dave Grohl's Dad, James Harper Grohl

Grohl's father, James Harper Grohl, was an award-winning journalist, who, according to a tribute page on Vindy (his hometown's) website, worked for various newspapers, including the Youngstown Vindicator and Columbus Citizens Journal.

6. Meghan Trainor's Parents, Gary & Kelli Trainor

Gary and Kelli Trainor are my favorite celebrity parents. They have owned a full-service handcrafted jewelry store in Nantucket called Jewel of the Isle since 1987. According to the Jewel of the Isle website, they sell an array of "Nantucket themed" jewelry, and it's almost exactly how you would imagine it. The best thing is that in the midst of photos of their pieces on the official website, they have tons of their daughter's music videos, with no other explanation than that they are simply proud of their successful daughter.

7. Kanye West's Parents, Donda & Ray West

West's beloved mother, Donda West, had an inspiring profession before she left to help manage her son's career in 2004 — not that that isn't inspiring, too. According to MTV News, Donda was an active scholar and college professor, beginning in the 1970s at Morris Brown College in Atlanta and moving on to become chairwoman of Chicago State University’s English department. West opened up about his father, Ray West, during a chat with BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe, sharing that his dad was one of the first black photojournalists at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

8. Hugh Laurie's Father, William Laurie

Dr. House actually has some real doctor blood in his veins. His father, William "Ran" Laurie, was a general practitioner for over 30 years, and according to his obituary, which was re-printed in The Independent, before he put on his scrubs, he won a gold medal in rowing at the 1948 London Olympics. His tribute also shares that his actor son actually also rowed during his time at Cambridge University in 1980.

9. Kate Middleton's Parents, Carole & Michael Middleton

Talk about a real success story. Duchess Kate Middleton's mom, Carole, is a stay-at-home mom turned business entrepreneur. According to her official website, Carole launched her party supply business, Party Pieces, way back in 1987. And according to the Telegraph, her husband, Michael, began his career as a flight attendant, but eventually joined his wife's business and the company is still thriving — especially now that their daughter is a Duchess and all. It sounds like a super fun job, designing and selling tons of goods for everything from kids' parties to weddings.

10. Beck's Parents, David Campbell & Bibbe Hansen

Beck is an extremely talented musician and both of his parents have been involved behind the scenes in the entertainment world since the '60s and '70s. According to his dad David Campbell's bio on his own website, he has been an arranger, composer, and conductor since the '70s, contributing to over 450 gold and platinum albums, including Adele's 21 and Michael Jackson's Invincible. And if being ultra-cool was a job, Beck's mom, Bibbe Hansen, had it. According to her official website, she is a musician, performance artist, and actor, known as one of Andy Warhol's "Superstars."

11. Lisa Kudrow's Dad, Lee Kudrow

Dr. Lee Kudrow, Lisa Kudrow's father, is the founder of California Medical Clinic for Headache in Santa Monica, according to his website. He is a renowned researcher in the field of headache medicine, which is pretty interesting, if you ask me.

It's so cool to see these celebs who came from backgrounds other than Hollywood, and how their parents helped shaped them into the dynamic people they are today.