The Most Unexpected (And Evident!) Famous Twins

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The intrigue surrounding twins has always been considerable. Observing the resemblances between two individuals and understanding the connection they’ve formed from occupying the same womb and household is remarkably captivating.

What could potentially amplify the fascination with twins? Definitely their association with fame and stardom!

When twin celebrities are mentioned, renowned pairs like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen or Benji and Joel Madden typically spring to mind. Nonetheless, it might surprise many to learn that a significant number of celebrities have twin siblings. While some of these twins also enjoy fame, there’s a considerable amount whose twins prefer shunning public attention in favor of more serene lifestyles.

To acknowledge the extraordinary nature that brings about twins, we’ve put together an all-inclusive list featuring celebrity twins, even those stars with lesser-known twins. You could be astonished to discover that your beloved celebrity actually shares a womb with a twin!

Scarlett Johansson and Hunter Johansson

Scarlett Johansson, famous for her roles as Charlotte in Lost in Translation and as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has a twin brother named Hunter who is three minutes younger than her. While ScarJo tried her luck in the entertainment world, Hunter was more drawn to politics. He worked on President Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and again on his reelection campaign. Since then, Hunter has lent his skills to a number of other high-profile events.

Even while pursuing completely distinct career paths, the pair of fraternal twins maintain a close bond and consistently support each other’s professional endeavors. ScarJo has also asked her brother to attend several high-profile red carpet events with her and they often pose for pictures together during these occasions.

Ashton Kutcher and Michael Kutcher

Prior to becoming renowned as a model and actor in Hollywood and New York, Ashton Kutcher was a college student facing hardships in Iowa. He grew up there, residing with his parents, an elder sister, and a twin brother called Michael.

Despite enduring a diagnosis of cerebral palsy in his childhood and a heart transplant at the tender age of 13, Michael, currently a resident of Iowa, persevered. He triumphed over his health difficulties to establish a successful career in sales. Beyond that, he has channeled his personal experiences to inspire and motivate others, actively committing himself to speak to persons with disabilities.

Gisele Bündchen and Patricia Bündchen

Gisele Bündchen, known globally as among the most well-compensated supermodels with more than twenty years of contributions to the fashion industry, has consistently been a centre of attention. However, a less known detail of her life is her having a twin sister, Patricia, who, interestingly, is not identical.

It’s quite evident from Gisele’s heartfelt social media posts that she shares a close bond with her sister, Patricia. While Gisele has carved out a successful career for herself in the world of supermodelling, Patricia has opted for a more behind-the-scenes role, managing her sister’s career and acting as her spokesperson.

Jon Heder and Dan Heder

Jon Heder is best known for his breakout role as the titular character in Napoleon Dynamite. From there, his acting career blossomed rapidly. While Jon does get more attention in Hollywood, his identical twin brother Dan is in the entertainment industry as well.

Dan has appeared in a number of short films and has had gigs as a producer and visual effects artist. The brothers are a close pair, appearing together in the four-part comedy short film Sockbaby. They also manage a production company called Greasy Entertainment together with their older brother, Doug.

Cameron Diaz and Chimene Diaz

Though Cameron and Chimene Diaz aren’t literally twins, they could certainly pass off as such, couldn’t they? Despite Chimene being elder by two years, they can effortlessly fool anyone into believing they’re twins. The sisters share a tight bond and have frequently been observed together in public.

Although Cameron has made quite a name for himself in Hollywood, Chimene has opted for a more low-key lifestyle. She’s presently the booking representative and business head for her husband, Robby Armstrong, a country-rock singer. Aside from her successful career, Chimene channels a lot of her time and attention towards her young daughter Chloe, clearly taking her role as a mother very seriously.

Kiefer Sutherland and Rachel Sutherland

As children of Donald Sutherland, one of the most esteemed and prolific actors in Hollywood, it was to be anticipated that Kiefer and Rachel Sutherland would tread the path of show business like their father. Despite both making a name for themselves in the world of entertainment, their journeys have been entirely distinctive.

Unlike her “older” twin brother Kiefer and half-brothers Rossif and Angus who chose acting, Rachel chose to work behind the scenes as a post-production supervisor for a number of Canadian films and television shows such as Saving Hope, Lost Girl, and Rookie Blue.

Aaron Carter and Angel Carter

Aaron Carter is primarily recognisable as the sibling of Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter. Mimicking his elder brother’s trajectory, Aaron embarked on his music journey with his first album in 1997. Subsequently, he had two more albums, which gained considerable success in 2000 and 2001.

Nick might have been the spark that ignited Aaron’s passion for music, but the sibling he shared the strongest bond with during their childhood was his twin sister, Angel. Aaron even had the honor of escorting her to the altar in 2014. Regrettably, Aaron’s recent actions have stoked conflicts within the family. This led to both Nick and Angel taking drastic measures and filing restraining orders against Aaron in September 2019.

Benji Madden and Joel Madden

The brothers Benji and Joel Madden, also known as the Madden twins, garnered fame during the 90s and early 2000s following the creation of their rock band, Good Charlotte. The band attained significant success, with multiple studio albums reaching the top of the charts, along with several wins and nominations for MTV Video Music Awards.

While Good Charlotte isn’t exactly topping the charts these days, the brothers are still icons in their own right. Benji and Joel continue to make music and have served as judges on The Voice Australia and The Voice Kids Australia. Joel is married to Nicole Richie while Benji has been married to Cameron Diaz since 2015.

Vin Diesel and Paul Vincent

It might be astonishing to some, but famous action actor Vin Diesel, who’s real surname is Mark Sinclair Vincent, actually has a fraternal twin brother named Paul! Unlike Diesel who opted to work in the limelight, Paul decided to work behind the camera as a film editor.

The brothers grew up in a loving home with their mother and stepfather, and this helped bring them closer together. Upon the death of his The Fast and The Furious co-star and close friend Paul Walker, Diesel took to social media to share a photo of his brother with the late actor, calling them “The two Pauls.”

Giovanni Ribisi and Marissa Ribisi

Throughout his acting career, Giovanni Ribisi has appeared in a number of successful and critically-acclaimed films like Gone in 60 Seconds, Lost in Translation, Avatar, and Saving Private Ryan. He even played the role of Phoebe Buffay’s brother in the hit television show Friends.

His twin sister Marissa, meanwhile, is just as talented. She appeared in a number of films, including Dazed and Confused, The Brady Bunch Movie and Felicity before going on hiatus in the early 2000s. In 2007, she launched her own clothing line called Whitley Kros. Fun fact: the Ribisi twins were delivered by Bibbe Hansen, whose son Beck was married to Marissa from 2004 to 2019!

Rami Malek and Sami Malek

Rami Malek is best known for his award-winning portrayal of Freddie Mercury in the hit film Bohemian Rhapsody. While the actor has received much publicity since appearing in the film, his identical twin brother Sami has been getting quite a bit of attention as well.

Sami, who works as a teacher, has been spotted with his famous twin at red carpet events, including the 2019 Golden Globes. Rami first publicly spoke about his twin brother in a 2015 interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he shared how he once pretended to be Sami, doing a monologue from a Greek tragedy to help him pass a class for his teaching degree.

Parker Posey and Christopher Posey

Parker Posey was known in the 1990s as the “Queen of the Indies” for her roles in critically-acclaimed, low-budget, artsy films and mockumentaries like Party Girl, Waiting for Guffman, and Dazed and Confused. While Parker made a name for herself in the entertainment industry, her twin brother Christopher chose a different career path.

Christopher, a lawyer based in Atlanta, tends to avoid the limelight, although his sister doesn’t shy away from mentioning him now and then. Parker attributes her acting career to the motivation she received from her family. In an interview, she revealed how, contrary to her brother, she didn’t have an aptitude for the legal profession.

Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush

It may seem surprising, but the offspring of ex-president George W. Bush are in fact non-identical twins! Following the completion of their father’s presidential span, the two ladies have effectively carved out their own professional pathways. Undoubtedly, their father’s previous position as one of the globe’s most influential leaders possibly played a role in their achievements.

After leaving the White House, Barbara co-founded a non-profit organization called Global Health Corps, which supports emerging global health leaders by offering competitive fellowships. Her sister Jenna, meanwhile, became an author, an editor for Southern Living magazine, as well as a correspondent, contributor, and co-host on NBC’s The Today Show.

Shawn Ashmore and Aaron Ashmore

Don’t worry, you’re not the only one seeing double! The Ashmore twins, Shawn and Aaron, are famously hard to distinguish from one another. In fact, the entertainment sector has leveraged this confusion, with one twin playing the role of the other in a TV show. The brothers even share a matching wrist tattoo, inscribed with “GMA” representing “Good Man Ashmore.”

The Ashmore twins have both been quite successful in their respective acting careers. Aaron played the role of Jimmy Olsen in the hit television show Smallville, while Shawn has played roles like Iceman in the X-Men film series and Sam Spencer in ABC’s Conviction.

Charlotte Ronson and Samantha Ronson

The Ronsons are indeed a family overflowing with talent and creativity! The Ronson twins, Charlotte and Samantha, are both thriving in their respective careers. Charlotte has made a name for herself as a fashion designer in New York City, and Samantha has gained popularity as a DJ, a reputation that surged when she was in a relationship with Lindsay Lohan in the late 2000s.

On the other hand, the twins’ elder brother, Mark, enjoys a reputable standing in the music industry as a producer. He has teamed up with renowned artists such as Adele, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, and Bruno Mars to produce and co-write chart-topping hit songs like “Rehab,” “Uptown Funk,” and “Shallow.”

Alanis Morissette and Wade Imre Morrissette

Alanis Morissette, the Canadian-American singer-songwriter who made waves in the 1990s with hits like “You Oughta Know” and “Ironic,” has a twin brother named Wade who is just as talented as she is. Wade became interested in music at a young age, and later released his own albums, including one called Sargam Scales of Music, containing songs that were a blend of folk-rock music and Sanskrit and English chants.

In addition to his music career, Wade also writes and teaches yoga. He enjoys a close and supportive relationship with his sibling. Alanis even publicized his yoga book, which she claims is among her favorites. Arguably, the most profound demonstration of their bond was when Alanis named her son, Ever Imre, in honor of her brother.

Brittany Daniel and Cynthia Daniel

Twins Brittany and Cynthia Daniel rose to fame in the 1990s for their roles as Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield in the hit television series Sweet Valley High. Prior to that, the twins had already been modeling since the age of 11 and had appeared in a number of commercials, including one for Doublemint gum where they played the Doublemint Twins.

Brittany also famously played the role of Megan Vandergeld in the 2004 comedy film White Chicks. While Cynthia has had other acting roles after Sweet Valley High, she turned her focus more towards photography. The sisters also launched their own lifestyle blog, The Sweet Life, in 2017.

Dylan Sprouse and Cole Sprouse

The Sprouse twins, Dylan and Cole, started acting at a young age, appearing in the sitcom Grace Under Fire from 1993 to 1998, and in films like Big Daddy alongside Adam Sandler. The twins became best-known for their starring role in the Disney Channel original series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and its spinoff, The Suite Life on Deck.

The brothers took a break from acting in 2011 to attend New York University. After graduating in 2015, Cole landed the role of Jughead Jones in the teen drama series Riverdale, while Dylan co-founded the All-Wise Meadery in Brooklyn, New York.

Tiki Barber and Ronde Barber

The NFL has witnessed numerous siblings play, but what sets Tiki and Ronde Barber apart is the fact that they are identical twins. Even though they may seem intense and extremely competitive while facing each other on the playing field, they are incredibly close-knit off the field.

Prior to their respective NFL teams, the brothers both played for the University of Virginia, with Tiki in the running back position and Ronde as a cornerback. Later, Tiki went on to join the New York Giants before retiring in 2006 to pursue a television career. Ronde wrapped up his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before also making his shift to TV.

Jose Canseco and Ozzie Canseco

The Canseco brothers, of Cuban-American descent, have made a name for themselves in the baseball realm. The more renowned twin, Jose, had an extensive career with various teams before he called it quits in 2001. On the other hand, his brother Ozzie had a less lengthy stint in the major leagues. Besides his affiliation with U.S. teams like the Oakland Athletics, he also had playing time in countries such as Japan and Korea.

Apart from their athletic accomplishments, the brothers have been immersed in various scandals over time, involving charges for irresponsible driving, assault, and battery. In 2011, Jose initiated a plan to have his brother Ozzie impersonate him at a Celebrity Boxing match in Florida. The scheme appeared to be flawlessly progressing until a photographer noticed the absence of a tattoo that was noticeable on Jose. This led Jose to face penalization for contract violation.

Elvis Presley and Jesse Presley

Elvis Aron Presley came into the world in East Tupelo, Mississippi, on the 8th of January, 1935. He would later rise to fame as the “King of Rock and Roll.” Interestingly, Elvis was expected to be a twin, but his brother Jesse Garon, born 35 minutes before him, was unfortunately stillborn. The very next day, Jesse Garon was laid to rest in a grave without a marker at Priceville Cemetery.

Elvis frequently talked about his brother, often expressing his feeling of having an unfillable void in his life. It seemed that the death of his brother had a lasting impact on him, haunting him until he himself passed away prematurely. If Jesse had lived, the trajectory of Elvis’ life could have been drastically different, potentially sparing him from the solitude he suffered in his later years.

Joseph Fiennes and Jacob Fiennes

Most people know that Joseph Fiennes, star of The Handmaid’s Tale, is the younger brother of well-known actor Ralph Fiennes. The brothers come from an artistic family — their father was a photographer and illustrator, while their mother was a writer and painter. Their sisters Martha and Sophie both direct and produce films, while their brother Magnus is a music composer and producer.

Not many people are aware that Joseph has a twin sibling called Jacob. Contrary to his brothers and sisters, Jake opted out of the entertainment industry and instead elected a profession in conservation. He’s living a peaceful life with his wife, child, and dogs.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

A list of celebrity twins wouldn’t be complete without this iconic duo! The Olsen twins are probably the most recognizable twins in Hollywood, and undoubtedly among the most successful. They began acting when they were infants, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner on the hit television show Full House. After the show wrapped, they worked together on various film and television projects throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

The sisters later retired from acting to focus on fashion. In 2006, they launched their label, The Row, followed a year later by another brand called Elizabeth & James, named after their siblings. The twins remain committed to fashion to this day — they even turned down the opportunity to join the cast of the Full House reboot Fuller House in 2016.

Laverne Cox and M Lamar

Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox made history when she became the first transgender woman to be nominated for an Emmy in 2014. Her character on the show, Sophia Burset, is transgender, and one scene in the show included a flashback to when she was still a firefighter named Marcus. This character was played by Laverne’s real-life twin brother, M Lamar.

Other men auditioned for the role, but once the casting team found out that Laverne had a twin, they asked him to audition as well. He unsurprisingly got the part, and the rest is history. Aside from being an occasional actor, Lamar is also a countertenor, musician, and multimedia artist. His work has even been praised by The New York Times, with the famed publication calling it a “bracing alternative” to the art usually seen in New York’s galleries.

Olly Murs and Ben Murs

Former X Factor contestant Olly Murs has come a long way since his stint on the show in 2009. He has released a number of hit singles and sold millions of records worldwide. He even voiced a character on the animated television series 101 Dalmatian Street. There’s certainly a lot going on to keep him busy!

Unfortunately, it was his thriving career that caused a feud between Olly and his twin brother, Ben. It all started when Olly missed his brother’s wedding because of his X-Factor commitments. The rest of the family got involved in the feud, and Ben is now sadly estranged from them, even going as far as changing his last name to distance himself further.

Jill Hennessy and Jacqueline Hennessy

Canadian actress Jill Hennessy is best known for her role as Assistant District Attorney Claire Kincaid in Law and Order: SVU; a role she played for three seasons. She was also the star of Crossing Jordan, where she played Jordan Cavanaugh for a total of six seasons.

Jill’s twin sister Jacqueline is also in show business, though she might not be as familiar to American audiences. Unlike her sister who tried her luck in Hollywood, Jacqueline chose to stay in Canada where she became a journalist and television host. In an interesting twist to their story, Jacqueline stepped in for her sister in a few SVU episodes when she couldn’t attend filming due to scheduling conflicts.

Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry

Along with Mary-Kate and Ashley, Tia and Tamera Mowry are among the most recognizable twins in Hollywood. The duo starred in the hit American sitcom Sister, Sister, which aired for six seasons from 1994 to 1999. They later appeared in the Disney Channel Original Movie Twitches, and its sequel Twitches Too.

Though some people might mistake them for fraternal twins, they are actually identical. This was confirmed when they took a genetic test in an episode of the reality television series Tia & Tamera. In 2019, Tia played the role of Cocoa McKellan in 20 episodes of the Netflix sitcom Family Reunion. Tamera, meanwhile, is currently one of the hosts on the daytime talk show The Real.

Jason London and Jeremy London

Thanks to their good looks and charm, identical twins Jason and Jeremy London became a common sight in many hit television shows and movies throughout the 1990s. Jason also played Randall in Dazed and Confused, while Jeremy appeared in Party of Five, I’ll Fly Away, and 7th Heaven.

Regrettably, as the new decade dawned, the brothers’ popularity began to wane. Their persona was so deeply ingrained in the 90s that it became a challenge to acquire parts in modern movies and television series. They were also embroiled in various scandals, such as Jeremy’s substance abuse issues and his arrest for domestic battery, not to mention Jason’s unpredictable and violent outbursts.

Siva Kaneswaran and Kumar Kaneswaran

Siva Kaneswaran, a model and former member of the Irish-British boyband The Wanted has an identical twin brother named Kumar, who is also a model. The brothers have also appeared in a few British television shows like Rock Rivals and Uncle Max.

Although Siva is the twin who enjoys greater celebrity status, Kumar doesn’t appear bothered. Quite the contrary, he takes pleasure in leveraging his brother’s popularity. Kumar occasionally impersonates his brother to trick ardent fans, finding humor when onlookers recognize him as his brother, shouting Siva’s name, and requesting photos. It’s heartening to see his good-natured response to the situation!

Linda Hamilton and Leslie Hamilton

Linda Hamilton, who played the role of Sarah Connor in the Terminator films, has an identical twin sister named Leslie. While Linda chose a career in acting, Leslie decided to stay away from the spotlight, working instead as a registered nurse.

Being a nurse hasn’t stopped Leslie from appearing on-screen though! She was her sister’s body double in Terminator 2: Judgement Day, helping out in scenes where two Sarahs appeared on screen at the same time. Who needs special effects when you have a twin sister?

Aimee Ann Duffy and Katy Ann Duffy

The Welsh vocalist, Aimee Ann Duffy, commonly recognized as Duffy, gained popularity following the release of her 2008 single “Mercy.” Although she rose to fame in the 2000s and 2010s with a series of albums, numerous Grammy nominations, a few victories at the Brit awards, and a handful of acting gigs, her twin sister, Katy Ann, prefers a more understated life out of the limelight in Wales.

There is another elder sibling, Kelly Ann, to the pair of twins. The trio of girls grew up in the caring hands of their mother, after their parents separated. Their relationship with each other deepened over the years. Some of the songs composed by Duffy are reflective of her bond with her sisters.

Nicholas Brendon and Kelly Donovan

Nicholas Brendon, of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame, has an identical twin brother named Kelly Donovan, who is three minutes older. The brothers are so identical, in fact, that Kelly served as his brother’s stand-in during many of the show’s scenes.

Kelly always had a keen interest in acting and finally got his break when he landed a role in the 1997 film City Guys. The brothers have always been close, though they’ve decided to take on different stage names so that people can tell them apart. We’re not exactly sure if this helps that much — they look so similar!

Monique Lamoureux and Jocelyne Lamoureux

Monique Lamoureux and her twin, Jocelyne, are prominent American hockey athletes known for their remarkable performance at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Monique succeeded in scoring a goal that resulted in a tie, while Jocelyne landed the final goal of the match, ensuring a gold medal victory for the US team.

Having been raised in a family of hockey enthusiasts, the twins have always held a deep passion for the sport. Shortly following their remarkable Olympic performance, they again garnered widespread attention by revealing their simultaneous pregnancies. What a fascinating twist of fate!

Charlie Carver and Max Carver

The Carver twins, Charlie and Max, have appeared together in television shows like ABC’s Desperate Housewives, MTV’s Teen Wolf, and the first season of HBO’s The Leftovers, playing the role of twins in all three shows.

While they’ve appeared together many times, they’ve also acted separately on plenty of occasions. Charlie guest-starred in shows like Hawaii Five-0, and feature films like I Am Michael and Underdogs. Max, on the other hand, has appeared in shows like The Office and Good Luck Charlie.

Conrad Bain and Bonar Bain

Those who grew up watching the hit sitcom Diff’rent Strokes in the 1970s and 1980s might be surprised to know that Conrad Bain, the Canadian-American actor who played the role of the father, has an identical twin! Bonar was often used as a stand-in on the show.

While Bonar was never as famous as his twin and did not enjoy as many acting roles, they did appear together in Maude, where Bonar played the twin brother of Dr. Arthur Harmon, played (of course) by Conrad. The twins have both since passed away, Bonar in 2005, and Conrad in 2013.

Deidre Hall and Andrea Hall

Deidre Ann Hall is an award-winning soap opera actress, best known for her role in NBC’s Days of Our Lives, one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world. She joined the cast of the show in 1976 and played the role of Dr. Marlena Evans for over 40 years. Deidre received her own star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in 2014.

Deidre’s twin sister Andrea is also a soap opera actress. She even appeared in Days of Our Lives, playing the role of Samantha Evans, Marlena’s twin sister, from 1977 to 1982. She returned to the show from 2000-2001, taking on the new role of Hattie Adams.

Blake Tuomy-Wilhoit and Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit

Blake and Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit famously played the roles of Nicky and Alex Katsopolis, the twin sons of Jesse and Becky Katspolis, in the sixth to eighth seasons of Full House. The twins later reprised their roles (this time as dimwitted young adults) in Fuller House, the sequel which began airing in 2016.

After Full House, the brothers went on to lead fairly normal lives. Blake became a firefighter, while Dylan developed an interest in music and later worked as a Foley Artist for productions like Furious 7, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, and Game of Thrones, with the latter earning him an Emmy nomination.

James Phelps and Oliver Phelps

British identical twins James and Oliver Phelps famously played Fred and George Weasley in the wildly popular Harry Potter films. The talented pair auditioned for these exciting roles as 14 years olds, and despite not having any acting experience, they were successful. The brothers, who actually brown hair in real life, had to dye their hair ginger once every few weeks throughout filming.

After the last Harry Potter film was released, the twins continue to attend Harry Potter events and exhibits, though they haven’t had that many acting roles since. James and Oliver continue to actively support numerous charity projects, play sports like golf and football, and travel the world.

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