Inside Phoebe Cates and Kevin Kline’s Private Family Life: Why Their Two Creative Kids Chose to Walk Away From the Typical Hollywood Machine

Phoebe Cates, Kevin Kline, and their kids Greta and Owen at the NYFF premiere

Phoebe Cates and Kevin Kline pulled off one of the rarest feats in American show business: building a durable, decades-long marriage while shielding their family from the relentless churn of studio celebrity. Instead of setting up camp in Los Angeles, the couple chose to raise their two kids, Owen Kline and Greta Kline, on the streets of New York City.

That deliberate choice created an environment where creativity flourished on an entirely different wavelength. While many celebrity offspring jump straight into mainstream film franchises, the Cates-Kline household cultivated underground cartoonists, indie rock staples, and fiercely independent filmmakers.

Their story proves that growing up under Hollywood royalty does not require living inside the studio bubble.

How a 1980s Power Couple Built an Unconventional New York Dynasty

The foundation of the family began far from the red carpets. Cates and Kline first crossed paths during an audition for the 1982 film The Big Chill, though their romantic connection took several years to ignite. They married in 1989 and immediately set their own rules for balancing fame with home life.

“If your marriage lasts more than six months, you’re already in the Guinness Book of World Records, if you’re a Hollywood marriage.”

That trademark wit from Kline highlighted a relationship anchored in stability. The couple welcomed son Owen in 1991, followed by daughter Greta in 1994. Instead of movie sets dominating their upbringing, weekly family music nights and neighborhood art scenes shaped their day-to-day routine.

Both children entered adulthood with a clear mission: make art strictly on their own terms, without leaning on their parents’ famous names.

Who Are Owen Kline and Greta Kline?

Why Owen Kline Walked Away From Child Stardom

Owen Kline attends a film screening

Owen Joseph Kline arrived on October 14, 1991, quickly soaking up the distinctive creative atmosphere of downtown Manhattan. By his teenage years, the East Village arts culture embraced him as one of its distinct fixtures alongside peers like Zoë Kravitz.

Mainstream attention arrived swiftly in 2005 when a 13-year-old Owen delivered an unforgettable performance in Noah Baumbach’s critically acclaimed drama The Squid and the Whale. Yet rather than chasing studio contracts, Owen decisively stepped back from the audition circuit.

“Being a child actor seemed a hellish path, and a quick way to embarrass yourself.”

That clarity guided him toward his true obsession: underground comics and graphic illustration. He enrolled at New York’s prestigious Pratt Institute to study illustration and filmmaking, channeling his distinct worldview into the medium.

Owen Kline and mother Phoebe Cates during New York Film Critics Circle 71st Annual Awards Dinner

Owen poured years into writing and directing his feature debut, the offbeat coming-of-age comedy Funny Pages. His parents backed his vision completely, giving him the room to assemble an original project rather than relying on industry shortcuts.

While filmmaking remains his core passion, Owen occasionally returns to the screen for projects that match his sensibilities. He appeared as Nick in A Different Man and took on a self-referential cameo in the satirical comedy series The Studio.

How Greta Kline Redefined Independent Music as Frankie Cosmos

Greta Kline of Frankie Cosmos poses backstage at Headrow House

Born on March 21, 1994, Greta Simone Kline found her creative voice through instruments rather than scripts. A decade of childhood piano lessons and informal jam sessions with her older brother paved the way for her musical output.

As an early teen, she immersed herself in the DIY punk and indie circuit across Brooklyn. To pour all her energy into writing and recording, Greta transitioned to homeschooling midway through high school, rapidly building a dedicated online following under the moniker Frankie Cosmos.

By age 22, she had cataloged and self-released more than 200 candid, poetic songs. She briefly enrolled at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, but the friction between campus life and regular touring forced a pivotal decision.

Greta Kline of Frankie Cosmos performs live on stage during Kilby Block Party

Greta chose to leave NYU and focus entirely on touring and recording. That leap cemented Frankie Cosmos as a fully realized touring band, leading to a prolific run of studio records including their reflective sixth album, Different Talking.

Balancing Film Scoring With On-Screen Appearances

Her sound also caught the ear of independent directors. Frankie Cosmos composed and recorded the original film score for the indie romantic comedy Something You Should Know About Me.

Greta took on a small acting role in the film for director Andy Fidoten, though she maintains a realistic perspective on Hollywood. For her, acting remains a lighthearted experiment where nothing is on the line, leaving music as her true life work.

Greta Simone Kline, Phoebe Cates and Kevin Kline attend a New York film premiere

Through every tour stop and screening, their parents remain their most devoted fans. Cates routinely shows up to Greta’s club gigs with an armful of tickets just to ensure the room is packed.

By ditching the typical child-star pipeline, the Phoebe Cates children managed to carve out original, authentic careers in the competitive arts scene.

💬 Both Owen and Greta chose indie authenticity over the easy Hollywood road.

✨ It turns out a grounding New York upbringing can beat studio fame any day.

📱 Did you know the artist behind Frankie Cosmos had famous Hollywood parents? Share your favorite tracks or film moments in the comments below!