Jack Quaid, the son of Hollywood legends Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, isn’t shying away from the label of being a “nepo baby.” In a recent interview on The Daily Beast’s The Last Laugh podcast, Quaid candidly admitted, “People have called me a nepo baby. I’m inclined to agree.”
But don’t mistake his acknowledgment for lack of understanding. Quaid recognizes the privilege that comes with his family name, stating, “I am an immensely privileged person, was able to get representation pretty early on, and that’s more than half the battle. I knew the door was open for me in a lot of ways that it’s just not for a lot of actors. And I’ve just tried to work as hard as I possibly can to prove that I deserve to walk through that door.”
Quaid also addressed his mother’s defense of him against the “nepo baby” label. Meg Ryan, in an interview with Glamour, praised her son’s talent, calling him more of a natural than she could ever be. Quaid, however, sees his mother’s comments as simply her being a loving mom, not trying to deny his privileged background.
Acknowledging the challenges of breaking into the industry, Quaid understands that his famous parents provided him with opportunities others may not have had. He’s grateful for the doors that were opened for him, while also recognizing the hard work and determination required to succeed.
In the end, Quaid knows that both his privilege and talent can coexist. And as for his mom’s supportive words? “She knows. She must know. I think she was being a mom.”
