Written By: Ben Cosgrove

The lives of celebrities are different than ordinary lives in many ways, but never do they look more like the rest of us than when they are in the thrall of their children. Here, LIFE.com celebrates fatherhood as practiced by the rich and famous—mostly actors, with the occasional president thrown in. In a few cases (Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis and Donald Sutherland, for example) the children of these notable figures, also pictured here, achieved their own renown in later life.

Liz Ronk edited this gallery for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.

Orson Welles, wife Rita Hayworth and daughter Rebecca at home in 1945.

Rita Hayworth with husband Orson Wells and daughter Rebecca, 1946

Peter Stackpole (LIFE Picture Collection)

Actor Kirk Douglas hugging son Michael, who is laughing.

Kirk Douglas with son Michael, 1949

Lisa Larsen/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Humphrey Bogart and son Stephen in 1952.

Humphrey Bogart and son Stephen in 1952

J.R. Eyerman /Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Actor Charlton Heston lifting two-month-old son Fraser, who is portraying the baby Moses, into the air during filming of C.B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments."

Charlton Heston lifted his two-month-old son, Fraser, who was portraying the baby Moses during filming of The Ten Commandments in 1955.

George Silk/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Senator John F. Kennedy plays peek-a-boo with daughter Caroline in 1958.

Senator John F. Kennedy played peek-a-boo with daughter Caroline in 1958.

Ed Clark/ Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Desi Arnaz with son Desi Jr. and TV son Richard Keith in 1958

Desi Arnaz with son Desi Jr. and TV son Richard Keith at a Dodgers game in 1958.

Leonard McCombe/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Dean Martin with his son, Ricci, at home in 1958.

Dean Martin with his son, Ricci, at home in 1958.

Allan Grant/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Vice President Richard Nixon and daughter Julie at a ballgame, 1958.

Vice President Richard Nixon and daughter Julie at a ballgame, 1958.

Hank Walker Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Tony Curtis and daughter Jamie Lee Curtis in 1959

Allan Grant/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Richard Burton and his future stepdaughter, Liz Taylor and Mike Todd's daughter Liza, in 1962.

Richard Burton and his future stepdaughter, Liza (Liz Taylor and Mike Todd’s daughter), in 1962.

Paul Schutzer/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Steve McQueen kisses his daughter Terry goodnight in 1963.

Steve McQueen kissed his daughter Terry goodnight in 1963.

John Dominis/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Sammy Davis Jr. with his son Mark in 1964.

Sammy Davis Jr. with his son Mark in 1964.

Leonard McCombe/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Dustin Hoffman with his daughter Karina, 1969.

John Dominis/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Jack Nicholson plays with his daughter, Jennifer, on the deck of his home overlooking Franklin Canyon, Los Angeles, 1969.

Jack Nicholson played with his daughter, Jennifer, on the deck of his home overlooking Franklin Canyon, Los Angeles, 1969.

Arthur Schatz/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Donald Sutherland with his son, Kiefer, in 1970.

Donald Sutherland with his son, Kiefer, in 1970.

Co Rentmeester/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Robert Redford and his son, David, in Utah in 1970.

Robert Redford and his son, David, in Utah in 1970.

John Dominis/Life Pictures/Shutterstock

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