15 Sets of Famous Brothers 

There’s no bond tighter than that of brothers. History is full of famous brothers who influenced the world. In some cases, they all entered the same profession and became the best at their careers. Some brothers become Hollywood’s biggest celebrities starring in critically acclaimed classics and summer blockbusters. At the same time, brother athletes have a reputation for dominating their respective sports. Famous brothers have become outlaws, comedy icons, and literary legends throughout history.

Often one of the brothers becomes more famous than their siblings. That brother becomes an icon transcending time while the others retire quietly, working regular jobs. Regardless of the profession, all the brothers discussed below excel in their careers, sharing many similarities. Often these brothers rise to fame on their own merit. They focus on their individual careers while supporting each other. A few brothers have even worked together to become the most successful in their line of work. So without further ado, here is a look at 15 famous sets of brothers. 

15 Sets of Famous Brothers 

1. Chris, Liam, and Luke Hemsworth

Only one family is big enough for Ashley Stubbs, the mighty Thor, and Gale Hawthorne. The Hemsworth brothers are three of Hollywood’s top leading men. Born and raised in Australia, all three brothers got their start on the hit series Neighbors.

The eldest, Luke Hemsworth, is best known for his role in the HBO series Westworld. Middle brother Chris Hemsworth is possibly the most famous as he portrays Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That leaves the youngest in the family, Liam Hemsworth, who’s famous for appearing in the Hunger Games franchise. 

2. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

Born in Germany, the Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, are responsible for popularizing some of history’s most famous fairy tales. Between 1812 and 1822, the two authors wrote the most famous folklore tales of the time. They introduced the world to Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, The Frog Prince, and Cinderella, among others.

Initially, they released the stories in several volumes, eventually becoming Grimm’s Fairy Tales. The brother’s legacy lives on as numerous Disney movies take inspiration from their famous fairy tales. 

3. Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen

Sons of Hollywood legend Martin Sheen, no two brothers are more different than Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen. Right off the bat, they went in different directions, with Emilio keeping his birth name and Charlie adopting his father’s stage name. Emilio became a household name as a member of the Brat Pack with his roles in The Breakfast Club and The Mighty Ducks franchise. Charlie is best known for roles in Wall Street and Two and a Half-Men.

They also starred together in Men at Work and X-Rated. While Emilio lives a relatively low-key lifestyle, Charlie is one of Hollywood’s most controversial stars. They also have a brother, Ramon, and a younger sister, Renee.

4. Prince William and Prince Harry 

Prince William and Prince Harry are two of the most famous brothers in the world. Their father is King Charles III, and their mother is the late Princess Diana. After their mother’s death, the two brothers grew up with intense pressure. With their father becoming King of England in 2022, William is the heir apparent and the next King.

On the other hand, Harry’s the fifth in line to ascend to the throne. Following Harry’s marriage to actress Meghan Markle, they stepped down as senior members of the Royal Family. They moved to California to create their own opportunities. In an interview with Oprah in 2020, Harry indicated a rift between him and his older brother. 

5. Cooper, Eli, and Peyton Manning

In the NFL, the Manning family is a dynasty producing football’s greatest athletes and minds. The sons of quarterback Archie Manning, each Manning kid had tremendous talent. The eldest, Cooper, had his career cut short before he could play college football, although he was considered a top prospect at the time.

Regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in history, Peyton Manning carried on the family legacy as a member of the Indiana Colts and Denver Broncos. He led both teams to Super Bowl titles. While Eli Manning struggled early on, he soon became a top quarterback leading the New York Giants to two Super Bowl titles, including an upset over The New England Patriots in 2008. 

6. Jesse and Frank James

In the late 1800s, nobody was more hated and loved than brothers Jesse and Frank James. Jesse James is an iconic figure in the history of the American Wild West. Jesse and his younger brother Frank robbed banks, trains, and stagecoaches from 1866 to 1876. They were ex-confederate soldiers who formed the famous James-Younger Gang.

After the arrest of several members, Jesse and Frank started a new gang with the Ford brothers. Later, Robert Ford betrayed Jesse and assassinated him by shooting Jesse from behind in 1882. After Jesse’s death, Frank retired from the outlaw life and died in 1915.

7. Ben and Casey Affleck 

It’s safe to say Hollywood wouldn’t be the same without Ben and Casey Affleck. The two-time Academy Award winner Ben Affleck is one of the most famous leading men with starring roles in Good Will Hunting, Argo, and portraying Batman in the DC Extended Universe.

Casey had enormous success winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Manchester By The Sea. In 2017, Ben directed the thriller Gone Baby Gone starring younger brother Casey. 

8. Andrew, Owen, and Luke Wilson

Brothers Owen and Luke Wilson made their feature film debuts in the 1996 film Bottle Rocket with their older brother Andrew. From that point forward, the Wilson brothers have dominated the film industry.

In the early 90s, Andrew began his career and later appeared in Charlie’s Angels and Fever Pitch. The middle brother, Owen, is best known for his roles in Rushmore, Wedding Crashers, and Disney’s Loki. The youngest brother, Luke, created his own legacy in the industry, climbing to the top of the Hollywood tree with roles in Legally Blonde, Old School, and Concussion. 

9. Eden and Thorgan Hazard

Eden and Thorgan Hazard are two of the most dominant footballers from Belgium. Eden first made a name for himself as a member of Real Madrid. He became a significant player for Belgium’s national team, becoming the captain for the 2018 and 2022 Fifa World Cups.

His little brother, Thorgan, followed in his brother’s footsteps. He plays for Borussia Dortmund and was part of Belgium’s national team at the 2018 World Cup. Eden and Thorgan have two younger brothers, Kylian and Ethan. 

10. The Marx Brothers

From 1905 to 1949, The Marx Brothers were the number-one comedy act in the world. Starting their careers in vaudeville, the first three brothers (Chico, Harpo, and Groucho) were the heart of the group. Brothers Chico, Harpo, Groucho, Zeppo, and Gummo Marx first developed their act with live stage performances before becoming significant movie stars.

Later, Chico, Harpo, and Groucho cemented their legacy with roles in iconic films Duck Soup and A Night at the Opera. After breaking up in 1950, Groucho went on to have a successful television career, guest hosting on The Tonight Show and hosting You Bet Your Life.

11. Gary and Phil Neville

Sons of British cricketer Neville Neville, brothers Gary and Phil Neville have been vital players, coaches, and pundits in English football for over three decades. Older brother Gary made a name for himself playing for Manchester United and represented England in two World Cups. After retiring, he was Valencia CF’s head coach and now works for Sky Sports.

Younger brother Phil followed in his brother’s footsteps playing for Manchester United and later Everton. He also acted as Gary’s assistant coach for Valencia CF and currently coaches Inter Milan CF in the MLS. Furthermore, Gary’s younger sister and Phil’s twin sister is Tracey Neville, the retired international netball player. 

12. James and Dave Franco

Few celebrities compare with brothers James and Dave Franco. James first gained attention in the 90s and soon became Hollywood’s most in-demand star. He’s become world-famous with his roles in 124 Hours, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, and Pineapple Express.

The middle brother, Tom Franco, had a brief career in acting. The youngest in the family, Dave gained attention for his role in the ninth season of Scrubs. In 2017, James directed and starred in the critically acclaimed Disaster Artist with Tom and Dave. 

13. Randy and Dennis Quaid

Randy and Dennis Quaid broke into the industry in the early 70s. Older brother Randy made a name for himself early with his performance in The Last Detail. Later, Randy cemented his legacy as Cousin Eddie in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series.

His younger brother, Dennis, has a long and illustrious career with roles in The Parent Trap, Any Given Sunday, and Traffic. He stars in the upcoming movie Reagan. 

14. Brad and Doug Pitt

Brad Pitt is easily one of the most famous actors in Hollywood history. He starred in several classic movies, including Seven, Fight Club, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Furthermore, The Oscar winner’s love life gets more attention than his career. Brad’s marriages with Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie garnered intense media attention.

On the other hand, Brad’s younger brother Doug lives a quiet lifestyle. He’s an investor and businessman heavily involved with numerous charities. He’s the current Goodwill Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania. Brad, Doug, and their younger sister, Julie Neal, are involved with several charities in Africa. 

15. Oliver Hudson and Wyatt Russell

Half-brothers Oliver Hudson and Wyatt Russell are accomplished actors and members of the famous Russell-Hudson family. Best known for his roles in Scream Queens and The Cleaning Lady, Oliver Hudson is the son of actor Bill Hudson and actress Goldie Hawn. His older sister is the world-famous actress Kate Hudson. Oliver and Kate are incredibly close with their stepfather Kurt Russell.

The son of Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russel, Wyatt Russell is best known for portraying John Walker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.