Zooey Deschanel scoffs at her 'nepo baby' tag as 'funny', but credits her cinematographer dad and actress mom for 'creative help'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'New Girl' star Zooey Deschanel has denied nepotism claims despite having a rich Hollywood lineage.

Her father, Caleb Deschanel, is a cinematographer, and her mother, Mary Jo Deschanel, is an actress. But Zooey insisted she’s not a 'nepo baby' and has carved out her own career.

'No one’s getting jobs because their dad’s a DP' Zooey Deschanel said

On a recent episode of 'The School of Greatness' podcast, Zooey responded to the nepotism claims.

She described, “It’s funny because people will be like, ‘Nepotism!’ No, my dad’s a DP [Director of Photography]. No one’s getting jobs because their dad’s a DP. Definitely not," she insisted.

Caleb, 79, is a six-time Academy Award nominee, recognized for his work on films like 'The Natural', 'Fly Away Home', 'The Patriot', 'The Passion of the Christ', and 2019’s 'The Lion King'.

Mary Jo, 78, is best known for her role on 'Twin Peaks' and has also appeared in films like 'The Right Stuff', 'My Sister’s Keeper', and 'Ruby Sparks,' according to Independent.

Zooey Deschanel accepts creative help from her parents shaped her career 

While Zooey rejects the 'nepo baby' label, she acknowledges the creative help she received from her family.

“I can’t possibly emphasize enough how much creative help I had from my family unit,” she said.

She praised her father’s creative mind and film knowledge and her mother’s acting skills and supportiveness. She also mentioned the benefits of having a sister who is an actor.

“My dad is a great creative mind and such a talented person,” she continued. “Like, knows everything about film."

"My mom is a great actor and is so nurturing. My mom would coach me when I didn’t have an acting coach; She would help me, read lines with me. She’d be so supportive," the '500 Days of Summer' actress said. 

She continued, “I would have so many great discussions about film and filmmaking with my dad. They both would help me."

"My dad would also read lines with me and give direction. Then having a sister whose an actor," she added.

Zooey explained that having artistic parents “just automatically makes you have community.”

Zooey Deschanel's acting journey and upcoming movie

Zooey earned her first acting credit with a guest appearance on the Kirstie Alley starring NBC sitcom 'Veronica’s Closet' in 1998 and made her film debut in 1999’s 'Mumford', according to US Weekly. 

She will play a supporting role in the upcoming movie, 'Harold and the Purple Crayon', scheduled for release in August this year.

The film follows a kid named Harold, played by 'Shazam!' actor Zachary Levi, who uses his purple crayon to draw things that leave the pages of his book and enter the real world.