In a candid discussion, The Boys star Jack Quaid openly acknowledged his status as a “nepo baby,” a term used for individuals who benefit from their parents’ fame.
Quaid, the son of actors Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, expressed his awareness of the privileges that come with his family background.
During an interview on The Last Laugh podcast, Quaid said he is “inclined to agree” with the label, recognizing the early opportunities he received due to his lineage.
“She’s being a loving mom. But I don’t think she’s trying to say that I’m not a nepo baby.”
“I am an immensely privileged person, was able to get representation pretty early on, and that’s more than half the battle.”
“I think she’s just trying to say that, in her opinion, it undermines my talent. I don’t think it undermines my talent. I know that I work hard, and I know I’ve heard ‘no’ way more than I’ve heard ‘yes.’”
“But I also know that this industry is insanely hard to break into, and I had an easier time doing that than most. Both things can be true. So no, I don’t think she was trying to say that I’m not a privileged person. She knows. She must know. I think she was being a mom.”
He highlighted the importance of working hard to prove his worth, despite the initial leg-up in the industry.
Quaid’s mother, Meg Ryan, has previously defended him against the “nepo baby” criticism, emphasizing his work ethic and talent.
“Jack is really talented. He’s more of a natural than I’ll ever be,” Ryan said. “That nepo stuff is so dismissive of his work ethic, his gifts, and how sensitive he is to the idea of his privilege.”
However, Quaid understands that his privilege doesn’t undermine his hard work and the challenges he faces in the competitive acting world.
Jack Quaid’s reflection on his privileged start and his determination to validate his place in Hollywood offer a nuanced perspective on the ongoing debate about nepotism in the entertainment industry.
