Catherine Zeta-Jones' children are "passionate" about acting

Appearing on the 'TODAY' show, she said: "The journey I've had as an actor has been extraordinary. So I can only encourage them to do what they love.

"They're both extremely bright and they're both studying history and politics. And they get all their brains from me...

"But that said, Michael and I would be the first parents to say, 'You know, maybe you should think of another career,' but we've seen how passionate they are about the craft.

"They know what celebritydom is. They know the good, the bad, warts and all of that. But their passion is about acting as a craft and they've done every theater camp...

"My kids went off to summer camp every year, to theater camp with all the Broadway kids, and held their own very, very well, I have to say."

And the 51-year-old star suggested her kids could face a tougher time in the industry because of their famous parents.

She explained: "In a way, one would think that there's so many open doors for people to go into the same business as their parents, but, in fact, one has to really prove themself more, and it's hard to be compared to."

However, she pointed to her husband Michael's experience growing up with his parents Kirk and Diana Douglas, and how he can pass on his life lessons.

She added: "He's able to share with them what that means because I don't know what that means. Michael's experience was, it's a hard act to follow when your dad's Spartacus.

"And so they've had that discussion and they're still not deterred, so I just presume that it's in the cards and I'm very excited to see whatever journey they happen to go on."