10 Famous Brother and Sister Duos in the Entertainment Industry

Quick Facts

Just like you would find siblings, male and/or female, especially, a famous brother and sister duo, who are very much talented in sports, business, or whatever career or profession that they might choose to get into, so would you find them in the entertainment industry, as it has been proven that traits and talents usually run in the family.

Over the years, many siblings such as the Jacksons, Wilsons, Hemsworths, and Olsens, have provided A-list entertainment, reiterating the aforementioned fact that these talents do indeed run in the family. But for the sake of this article, we are narrowing the search to the 10 most famous brother and sister duos to have made considerable achievements, other than those of the same gender.

10 Famous Brother and Sister Duos

Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake and are unarguably the most famous brother and sister duo in the entertainment industry. The siblings, who have both been nominated for an Academy Award, Maggie for her role in Crazy Heart (2009) and Jake for his role in Brokeback Mountain (2005), are not the only members of their family to have a career in Hollywood. Their father, Stephen Gyllenhaal is a director while their mother, Naomi Foner, is a screenwriter.

Maggie, who is three years older than Jake, began her acting career at the age of 15, appearing in the movies Waterland (1992), A Dangerous Woman (1993), and Homegrown (1998) which were directed by her father. Jake, on the other hand, began his acting career as a child actor, first appearing in City Slickers (1991) before starring alongside his sister in the aforementioned movies.

Brandy and Ray J

Ray J and Brandy Norwood are another famous brother and sister duo that have been able to make a name for themselves in the entertainment industry. Depending on who you ask, either sibling can be said to be more famous than the other, as they have both achieved a considerable amount of success in their acting and singing careers.

Between the pair, Brandy was the first to come onto the entertainment scene. She was able to land a record deal in the early 90s, before going ahead to release a number of platinum-selling R&B albums, which won her numerous awards for her efforts, including a Grammy Award. During this time, she also starred in the show Moesha, the same show that her brother caught his major break in. Ray J has since gone on to have a singing and acting career while also becoming an entrepreneur.

Shirley Maclaine and Warren Beatty

and are the most successful famous brother and sister duo to have taken on the entertainment industry. Maclaine, who is best known for starring in movies like Some Came Running (1958), The Apartment (1960), and The Turning Point (1977), has six Academy Award nominations but has, however, only managed to win it once, Best Actress in 1984 for her performance in Terms of Endearment.

Her younger brother, Beatty, on the other hand, has fourteen Academy Award nominations to his name for acting, directing, producing, and writing. He has also been nominated for eighteen Golden Globe Awards, of which he has won six. Some of the movies in which Warren Beatty is best known for appearing in include Splendor in the Grass (1961), Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bugsy (1991), and most recently, Rules Don’t Apply (2016).

Julia and Eric Roberts

is undoubtedly the more famous and successful sibling between her and her older brother, Eric, however, nothing can be taken away from the talents of the Runaway Train (1985) actor who has earned multiple Golden Globe Award nominations and an Academy Award nomination. Julia, who was amongst the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood all through the 90s, thanks to her appearances in movies like Pretty Woman (1990), My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), and Erin Brockovich (2000), has eight Golden Globe Awards nominations to her name, winning three, and four Academy Award nominations, winning one.

The Roberts siblings were introduced into the performing arts world by their parents who were one-time actors and playwrights before they co-founded a child acting school and the Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop. The siblings became estranged following their parents’ divorce in1971 as the then 15-year-old Eric lived with his father while the 4-year-old Julia moved away with their mother. The pair were still able to forge individual successful careers before reconnecting in 2004.

Jane and Peter Fonda

Peter and , children of actor Henry Fonda and socialite Frances Ford Brokaw, are another famous brother and sister duo that has achieved success in their acting careers, following in the footsteps of their father who also had a career in front of the camera that lasted five decades.

Some of the movies in which Jane Fonda has appeared in include They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969), Klute (1971), Monster-in-Law (2005), and The Butler (2013). Her performances in these and other movies have earned her a total of two Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award, among numerous others. Peter Fonda, on the other hand, is best known for his roles in Easy Rider (1969), Ulee’s Gold (1997), and The Passion of Ayn Rand (1999). He has two Golden Globe Awards to his name as well as an Academy Award nomination among others.

Joan and John Cusack

Like a few others that appear on this list, John and are not the only members of the Cusack family that is or have made a living from acting. The siblings’ father, Dick Cusack, was an actor and filmmaker who appeared in films like My Bodyguard (1980) and Chain Reaction (1996). Their older sister, Ann, is also an actress, appearing in films and series like Multiplicity (1996), Maggie (1998-99), and Private Practice (2009-2011), among others.

The famous brother and sister duo, who are unarguably the more successful members of their family, has appeared in ten movies together, making them the highest co-starring siblings in Hollywood. Some of the movies they have starred in together include Sixteen Candles (1984), Grosse Point Blank (1997), and War, Inc. (2008). Between them, however, Joan has received more awards and nominations, including two Academy Awards nominations and one Golden Globe nomination.

Tracee Ellis Ross and Evan Ross

and Evan Ross are children of the legendary Motown Records singer and actress, . Tracee, who is sixteen years older than her baby brother, is an actress, model, and comedian. She is best known for playing the role of Joan Clayton in Girlfriends (2000-2008) and Dr. Rainbow Johnson in Black-ish (2014-present), of which the latter earned her a Golden Globe Award.

Evan, on the other hand, is an actor and musician. He made his screen debut in ATL (2006) before appearing alongside his sister in Life Support (2007). In regards to his music career, he has released a number of songs in the past and is said to be currently working on a joint album with his wife, singer and songwriter Ashlee Simpson.

Justine and Jason Bateman

Although Jason and Justine Bateman have each earned their stripes as reputable actors in both the television and film acting scenes. The famous brother and sister duo are well known for their exploits in sitcoms. Justine made her acting debut at the age of 16 in the popular 80s sitcom Family Ties (1982-1989), for which her performances earned her Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award nominations. She since went on to appear in Satisfaction and Men Behaving Badly before becoming a director, producer, and writer.

Just like his older sister, Jason Bateman began acting in his early teens. He began his career on the 80s hit show Little House on the Prairie (1981-1982) and then starred in Silver Spoons (1982-1984). In recent times, he has appeared in movies like Hancock (2008), Horrible Bosses (2011), and Arrested Development (2003-2006, 2013, 2018), which gave him his Golden Globe Award.

Hayden and Jansen Panettiere

Jansen and his older sister, Hayden, are probably lesser known than the other famous brother and sister duos that appear on this list. Regardless, the siblings have in their individual careers, made a good account of themselves, specifically Hayden, who in addition to being an actress, is a model and singer.

started acting at the young age of 5. She was introduced into the profession by her mother who was a former soap opera actress. Her first notable roles were in the soap opera One Life to Live (1994-1997) and Guiding Light (1998-2000) but she is, however, best known for her performances in Heroes (2006-2010) and Nashville (2012-2018). Jansen, on the other hand, is known for his roles in Tiger Cruise (2004), Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006), and The Perfect Game (2010).

Jurnee and Jussie Smollett

Jussie and Jurnee Smollett are another famous brother and sister duo that began their careers as child actors. Jussie, who is four years older than his sister, began acting at the age of 9, appearing in films like The Mighty Ducks (1992) and North (1994) before achieving international fame for his role as Jamal Lyon in Empire (2015-present). He has further embarked on a directing and singing career.

Jurnee herself began acting at the age of 6, appearing in the series Out All Night (1992) before landing a major role in Full House (1992-1994) and On Our Own (1994-1995). She is, however, best known for playing the role of Jess Merriweather in Friday Night Lights (2009-2011) and Rosalee in Underground (2016-2017).

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