Cooper Hoffman and Michael Gandolfini avoid 'nepo baby' criticism

Cooper Hoffman and Michael Gandolfini aren't criticised for being "nepo babies" because they both lost their famous fathers when they were young.

The Long Walk star was just 10 years old when his Oscar-winning dad Philip Seymour Hoffman died back in 2014 and he's good friends with fellow actor Michael - son of late The Sopranos star James Gandolfini - and he's convinced the pair don't get any "s***" for launching acting careers because they both lost their dads when they were young.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Cooper joked: "We're like: 'Yeah, these nepo babies are really the problem."

He went on to add: "Nepo babies get so much s*** on the internet and me and Michael get none of it!

"If our parents were alive we'd be f****** nepo through and through. I think people inherently feel bad because our dads passed away, so they're a little bit like: 'We're not touching that'."

Cooper, 23, went on to admit he struggled with the loss of his dad recently when he saw his favourite basketball team, the New York Knicks, win the NBA championship this year after a lengthy wait for the trophy.

He told the publication: "I've waited 23 years for the Knicks to be as good as they are. It's a crazy thing. I don't like talking about it because it makes it seem sad, but the whole reason I watch the Knicks is because of my dad.

"My dad not being here was massive ... It added a layer of sadness to it that I wish wasn't there. And I can't help but be honest about that."

He added of being compared to his famous father: "You're gonna be compared no matter what. And by the way, to be compared to that guy is a massive honor.

"My dad's my favorite actor. I am trying to figure out who I am outside of it. What I hope to leave behind is a lot of good work. But I think there's a way to go about it and not take it so seriously."

It comes after Cooper recently revealed he is currently splitting his time between his native New York and London, where his girlfriend Nico Parker - daughter of actress Thandiwe Newton - lives.

He told The Sunday Times newspaper: "Nico is fantastic. Really fantastic. I love visiting her in Notting Hill too. There’s a pub around the corner from her house that I go to if I need to take a work call or something. I’d go get a pint of Guinness. She’s not a big Guinness drinker ...

"People say I speak with an English inflection, which is probably because I’m hanging out in London as often as I am. I love London."