Jessica Biel says she will not hand acting roles to son Silas

Biel explained on the Great Chat Show that Silas must earn any acting work, despite his recent role in Matchbox: The Movie.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 28 Oct 2026 05:25:00 GMT

Jessica Biel told host Josh Smith on the Great Chat Show that she will not let her 11‑year‑old son Silas Timberlake obtain acting roles simply because he is the child of Biel and husband Justin Timberlake.

What happened

Biel discussed the topic during a recent episode of the Great Chat Show podcast. She said Silas, who recently appeared in the film Matchbox: The Movie, has expressed interest in acting and music. Biel described Silas as a DJ with “incredible” musical talent, a comedy streak and a “theatrical kind of funny, silly quality.”

What the reports add

Variety noted that Biel was initially unsure about Silas taking a part in Matchbox because she and Timberlake try to keep their children away from the spotlight, but she did not want to “squash their dreams.”
The Hollywood Reporter reported that producer Jules Daly approached Biel about a small role for Silas, and that Biel reconsidered when Silas would be in Budapest for seven weeks.
Biel also mentioned she is producing a reboot of “7th Heaven” and is set to star in the forthcoming Searchlight film “Playmates,” where she will portray Hugh Hefner’s wife.
She recounted her son’s first day on set, saying he was upset about not working and used the experience as a lesson about the realities of acting.

What was said

“He’s a DJ, he’s incredible at music, he’s doing such cool things with music — he just has that, right? He just has that innately and is interested in that,” Biel said to the podcast host, as reported by Variety.

“And also has this comedy streak and this theatrical kind of funny, silly quality. And he’s been talking to us about, yeah, wanting to be an actor. So, this is coming up a lot.”

“You can’t just take a part from that person just because you’re my son. That’s not cool. We’re not doing that.”

“Yes, we’ve talked about it a lot. It’s a constantly evolving conversation,” Biel told host Josh Smith, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“The first day he was on set, he didn’t work at all. He was so upset about it… This is what it is. Welcome. They will call you in, and you will sit for 12 hours. Do you still want to be an actor? … The next day he came, and he worked. It was sweet. It was cool.”

How it came about

Silas’ involvement in Matchbox: The Movie prompted the discussion. Biel’s comments follow earlier coverage of celebrity families managing their children’s exposure to fame, such as the Meghan and Harry family plans and the Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber approach to privacy for their children.

Key facts

Jessica Biel said she will not give her son Silas acting roles just because of his famous parents. (variety.com)
Silas Timberlake, 11, appeared in "Matchbox: The Movie". (hollywoodreporter.com)
Producer Jules Daly asked Biel about a small part for Silas. (hollywoodreporter.com)