If you grew up in the 80s, you probably have a mental image of Billie Jean Davy. She had the cropped blonde hair, the torn sweatshirt, and that fierce "Fair is Fair" attitude. Beside her in that cult classic The Legend of Billie Jean was a young, scrappy kid playing her brother, Binx. His name? Christian Slater. Her name? Helen Slater.
Naturally, for the last forty years, everyone just assumed they were siblings. It makes sense. They have the same last name. They look remarkably alike with those sharp features and intense eyes. They played brother and sister on screen so convincingly that it’s become one of Hollywood’s most enduring urban legends.
But are Helen and Christian Slater related in real life? The short answer is no. Despite sharing a surname and a movie poster, there is zero biological connection between the two. They aren't brother and sister, they aren't cousins, and they aren't even distant relatives. They are just two very talented actors who happened to share a breakout moment at the exact same time.
The Legend of Billie Jean and the Big Mix-Up
Back in 1985, The Legend of Billie Jean hit theaters. Helen Slater was already a bit of a star because she’d just played Supergirl. Christian, meanwhile, was basically a newcomer. He was only about 15 years old when they filmed it.
The chemistry was there. Honestly, they felt like real family. Because they played siblings so well, the "Slater" coincidence stopped being a coincidence in the minds of the public and became a "fact." People just stopped asking and started asserting that they were kin.
The truth is actually kinda funny. Christian Slater has admitted in several interviews—including a fairly recent chat while promoting Willow—that he actually had a massive crush on Helen during filming.
"I had a huge crush on her," he told Uproxx. He even mentioned that he felt like it was "meant to be" because they already had the same last name. He told a story about trying to sit next to her at lunch, hoping for a romantic spark, only for her to tell him she needed to be alone.
Awkward? Yeah. But it definitely proves they weren't siblings. You generally don't try to date your sister.
Breaking Down the Family Trees
If you look at the actual genealogy, the "related" theory falls apart pretty fast.
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Helen Slater's Roots:
Helen was born in Bethpage, New York. Her parents were Alice Joan, a lawyer and peace activist, and Gerald Slater, a television executive. She has one brother, and his name is David. David is a lawyer in New York. That’s it. No Christian in the immediate family tree.
Christian Slater's Roots:
Christian was also born in New York City, but his lineage is totally different. His father was Michael Hawkins (born Thomas Knight Slater), a soap opera actor. His mother is Mary Jo Slater, a legendary Hollywood casting director. Christian does have a brother—a half-brother named Ryan Slater—who also got into acting.
So, while both families were New York-based and involved in the industry, they moved in different circles until that one fateful casting call for The Legend of Billie Jean.
Why the Rumor Just Won't Die
The internet has a way of fixing misinformation, but it also has a way of preserving it like a mosquito in amber.
- The Look: Seriously, look at 1985 Helen and 1985 Christian. They both have that high-cheekboned, "pretty but edgy" New York look. If you told me they were twins, I’d probably believe you for a second.
- The Timing: They both peaked in the mid-to-late 80s. When two people with the same name are famous at the same time in the same industry, the brain just connects the dots.
- The Names: "Slater" isn't as common as "Smith" or "Jones," but it’s common enough. Think of Mario Lopez playing A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell. It's a name that just sounds like it belongs in Hollywood.
Are there any other famous Slaters?
Just to make it more confusing, there are plenty of other Slaters in the business.
- Mary Jo Slater: As mentioned, she’s Christian’s mom. She’s a powerhouse casting director who worked on huge projects like The Tudors.
- Bill Slater: Christian’s great-uncle was a well-known radio personality.
- Kelly Slater: The pro surfer? No relation to the actors.
What You Should Know Now
It’s one of those things where the fiction is almost better than the reality. The idea of two real-life siblings taking over Hollywood in a movie about sibling loyalty is a great story. But the reality is just a case of "right name, right time."
If you’re looking for a takeaway, it’s this: don’t trust the credits to tell you the family history.
If you want to verify celebrity connections in the future, your best bet is to look at their early bios. Most actors from that era who are related—like the Sheens and the Estevezes, or the Arquettes—are pretty open about it because it’s part of the "dynasty" brand.
Helen and Christian have both gone on to have incredible, separate careers. Helen remains an icon for Supergirl and has appeared in various DC projects like Smallville and the Supergirl TV series (playing Kara’s adoptive mom). Christian became a 90s heartthrob in Heathers and True Romance before finding a huge second act in Mr. Robot.
They are two Slaters, one movie, and zero DNA shared.
Quick Fact Check:
- Are they siblings? No.
- Are they cousins? No.
- Did they play siblings? Yes, in The Legend of Billie Jean (1985).
- Is Christian’s mom a casting director? Yes, Mary Jo Slater.
- Does Helen have a famous brother? No, her brother David is a lawyer.
Next time this comes up at trivia night, you can confidently set the record straight. While they shared the screen and a last name, their only real bond is being part of 80s cinematic history.
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To get the full experience of their "sibling" chemistry, go back and watch The Legend of Billie Jean. It’s a quintessential 80s flick that actually holds up surprisingly well, especially for its themes of standing up to bullies and teenage rebellion. Just remember: the crush Christian had on her during filming was very real, even if the brotherhood was fake.