In Hollywood, fame often runs in the family, but it's not just about the children of stars. A fascinating network of celebrity siblings operates behind the scenes, with some achieving their own notable careers while others support their famous brothers and sisters from the sidelines. These relationships, often overlooked, reveal a different side to the 'family business' of show business.
The Swift Support System and Lively Sister Act
Taylor Swift, the global music icon, has a younger brother, Austin Swift, who has carved his own path in the film industry. Born in 1992, Austin is an actor and producer who studied film at the University of Notre Dame. He has appeared in projects like I.T., Live by Night, and the TV series Still the King. He also played a crucial role behind the camera, helping to produce Taylor's Disney+ documentary, Folklore: The Long Pond Sessions. Taylor has often praised her family's input, telling Time magazine in 2023 that they operate like a 'small family business'.
Meanwhile, Blake Lively has an older half-sister, Robyn Lively, who has been a working actress for decades. Robyn, 53, is best known for her roles in 1989's Teen Witch and The Karate Kid Part III. She has recently worked with acclaimed creator Taylor Sheridan, appearing in his series Landman and Lioness. Robyn is married to actor Barton Johnson, known for the High School Musical films, and frequently joins Blake on the red carpet.
Contrasting Careers and Famous Families
The entertainment industry is full of sibling pairs who have pursued wildly different paths. Charlie Sheen and his older brother Emilio Estevez are both sons of actor Martin Sheen. While Emilio found fame as part of the 1980s Brat Pack in films like The Breakfast Club, Charlie forged his own, more tumultuous path to stardom. Despite their differences, they have collaborated on films like Young Guns and Men at Work.
Similarly, actresses Zooey Deschanel and Emily Deschanel share a striking resemblance but have focused on different genres. Zooey is known for comedies like New Girl and 500 Days of Summer, while Emily gained fame for her long-running dramatic role on the forensic series Bones. The sisters, daughters of cinematographer Caleb Deschanel, even collaborated on an episode of Bones in 2009.
Other notable sibling duos include Owen and Luke Wilson, who first appeared together in Bottle Rocket and have since maintained successful individual careers. Kate and Rooney Mara also share a similar look but have chosen distinct projects; Kate in series like House of Cards and Rooney in acclaimed films like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
From Twins to Trailblazing Elders
Some sibling sets are impossible to miss, like twins Tia and Tamera Mowry, who rose to fame together on the sitcom Sister, Sister. Others, like the legendary Shirley MacLaine and Warren Beatty, have dominated Hollywood for generations with iconic, separate careers in film.
The phenomenon even extends to international stars. Penelope Cruz has a younger sister, Monica, who is her near-double and has even worked as her body double. The sisters have collaborated on fashion lines. Jennifer Lopez is close with her sister Lynda, a journalist and co-founder of J.Lo's production company.
From the Fanning sisters (Dakota and Elle) to the Arquette clan (Patricia, Rosanna, and David), these relationships highlight that in Tinseltown, talent often comes in pairs—or even groups—proving that for many stars, family is the original and most enduring support network.
