Sydney
June 19-21, 2026
Sydney Showground Olympic Park
Popcorn and movies, Bert and Ernie, Batman and Robin – these are just a few iconic duos. Family and business? This also seems to be a winning combo, as the below examples of pop culture super families prove.
The Barrowmans
He can act, sing, dance and write – Torchwood and Arrow Supa-Star John Barrowman really can do it all. And the talent in the family doesn’t end there, with his sister and fellow November Supanova guest Carole Barrowman also being a beloved author. They teamed up several years ago to work on John’s memior and it quickly snowballed into a regular thing, with the siblings going on to pen Torchwood and Arrow comics and novels alongside aclaimed book series Hollow Earth, Orion Chronicles and more.
The Rogens
Seth Rogen might come across as a goofy guy on first impression, or at least that’s what his starring roles in Pineapple Express, This Is The End and Knocked Up suggest. But his creative roots go a lot deeper, with the Freaks And Geeks talent not only working behind the scenes of Preacher and Future Man most recently, but also throwing some serious support behind charity. After his mother-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he founded Hilarity For Charity with his wife, Lauren Miller Rogen. It’s an organisation that raises money for Alzheimer’s research and supports families dealing with the disease. Their sixth annual variety show aired on Netflix earlier this year.
The Ackles
Supernatural actor Jensen Ackles followed in co-star Jared Padalecki’s footsteps and opened a bar earlier this year. Located in Dripping Springs, outside of Austin, The Family Business Beer Company stems from his extended family’s craft beer enthusiasm, with his brother-in-law, Gino Graul, steering the ship as manager and co-owner, while Ackles’ wife, One Tree Hill’s Danneel, is also a key part of the endeavour.
The Marsters
Supanova alumni James Marsters might just have that same spunk he bestowed upon Buffy’s Spike. Being variously gifted, he started California-based rock band Ghost Of The Robot in 2002. Their sounds originated from a mixed bag of upbeat pop, soulful blues and foot stomping country. As the years progressed, they took time away from each other in 2005 before being reunited in October 2010. Now, James’ son, Sullivan Masters, shares centre stage with him.
The Somerhalders
A vampire heartthrob who’s about to sink his fangs into Supanova, Ian Somerhalder isn’t unfamiliar to working in the family business. He co-owns a gourmet pizza parlor with his sister and brother-in-law called McClain’s Pizzeria in Hailey, Idaho and in his hometown of Mandeville, Louisiana. Those who have frequented acclaim the restaurant itself provides a sense of history and family with a menu not even leaving Damon Salvatore bloodthirsty. Somerhalder also previously co-owned Built of Barnwood, a recycled barn wood furniture shop with his brother. It was a place of business where they were able to build and sell their pieces.
The Duffers
Brothers Matt and Ross Duffer developed an interest in film from an early age and were gifted their first video camera from their parents in the third grade. Although their primary interest was in cinema, after various tribulations and curveballs, the prospect of the small screen becoming more cinematic was a thrill to them. While working as writers for Wayward Pines, they penned Montauk, a sci-fi horror concept that would later become Stranger Things. That is, after the idea was rejected by twenty networks before finally finding a home on Netflix. You wouldn’t want to be one of those who turned them away now.
You’ll be able to catch Supa-Star entrepreneurs John and Carole Barrowman and Ian Somerhalder at Adelaide (3-4 November) and Brisbane (9-11 November).
