"Twin Celebs”: 35 Times You Probably Didn’t Realise There Were Two Of Them

Some revelations come to us surprisingly late in life, and you might find a few in this list. For example, I’ll confess that until recently, I had no idea there were two Ashmore brothers—much less that they were twins. As a fan of both X-Men and Smallville, it was only today that I realised each role was portrayed by a twin. Clearly, the acting ability runs in the family as both have found success in their own right. The Ashmore twins aren’t alone in this unique endeavour. Rami and Sami Malek, Gisele and Patricia Bündchen, and Hunter and Scarlett Johansson are further examples of fraternal and identical twins who have each achieved stardom individually. Read on to uncover more celebrity twins who’ve each carved out impressive careers, even if you may not have made the connection before that they’re related.

#1 Mary-Kate And Ashley Olsen

Image source: TheEllenShow After a shared childhood of playing Michelle Tanner on the sitcom Full House, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen built a billion-dollar empire of direct-to-video movies and merchandise, becoming icons for a generation of young fans. In a surprising career shift, they abruptly retired from acting to become serious and highly respected fashion designers. The twins are now famous for their two luxury labels, The Row and Elizabeth and James, and are known for being intensely private, rarely ever giving interviews.

#2 Vin Diesel And Paul Sinclair

Image source: vindiesel Many fans are surprised to learn that action star Vin Diesel has a fraternal twin brother named Paul Vincent, who also works in the film industry. While Vin is a global movie star, Paul works on the other side of the camera as a film editor and producer. Vin once shared a photo of his brother with his Fast & Furious co-star, the late Paul Walker, noting the resemblance between the two Pauls.

#3 Aaron And Shawn Ashmore

Image source:  shawnrashmore The acting careers of identical twins Aaron and Shawn Ashmore have created a fun, long-running case of mistaken identity for fans. Shawn is widely recognized for his role as Iceman in the X-Men film franchise, while Aaron is best known for playing Jimmy Olsen on the television series Smallville. The brothers have even played twins on screen and occasionally go up for the same roles, with Aaron once joking that he's still waiting for Shawn to turn down a part so he can get it instead.

#4 Rami And Sami Malek

Image source: The Graham Norton Show, Access Hollywood While Rami Malek is an Oscar-winning actor famous for his roles in Mr. Robot and Bohemian Rhapsody, his identical twin brother, Sami, has pursued a career completely outside of the spotlight as a middle school teacher. Rami has shared a story about how he once used their identical looks to his advantage, stepping in to perform a monologue for Sami's college class when his brother was struggling with the assignment, successfully earning him the necessary course credit.

#5 Gisele And Patricia Bündchen

Image source: gisele While Gisele Bündchen became one of the world's most famous supermodels, her fraternal twin sister, Patrícia, has always been her closest confidante and business partner. The two were born just five minutes apart in Brazil and grew up taking modeling classes together. Patrícia now serves as Gisele's manager and spokesperson, playing a crucial behind-the-scenes role in her sister's massively successful career.

#6 Ashton And Michael Kutcher

Image source: David Shankbone, mkutch Ashton Kutcher has a fraternal twin brother, Michael, who was born with cerebral palsy and later underwent a life-saving heart transplant as a teenager. Michael has become a successful public speaker and advocate for organ donation and disability rights, a cause Ashton has also passionately supported. Ashton has often spoken about how his brother's health challenges have deeply influenced his life and perspective.

#7 Hunter And Scarlett Johansson

Image source: hunterjo, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon While Scarlett Johansson is one of Hollywood's biggest movie stars, her fraternal twin brother, Hunter, has dedicated his career to public service and political activism. Though he had a brief acting stint alongside his sister in the film Manny & Lo, he ultimately pursued a different path. Hunter has worked as a community organizer in Manhattan and served as a campaign advisor for President Barack Obama.

#8 Linda And Leslie Hamilton

Image source: Letterman, NeilInPhilly In the iconic film Terminator 2: Judgment Day, when the shape-shifting T-1000 mimics Sarah Connor, the filmmakers didn't need any digital effects for the side-by-side shot. They simply cast Linda Hamilton's identical twin sister, Leslie. Leslie, who worked as a nurse and had no previous acting experience, was brought in to play her sister's on-screen double, making for one of the most seamless and memorable special effects of the era.

#9 Oliver And James Phelps

Image source: Niccolò Caranti, Rob Young For an entire generation of moviegoers, Oliver and James Phelps are inseparable from their roles as the mischievous Weasley twins, Fred and George, in the Harry Potter films. One of the most surprising facts for fans is that the brothers are not natural redheads and had to dye their brown hair for the entire decade of filming. Since the series ended, they've continued to work together, hosting a popular podcast and travel show, and remain beloved ambassadors of the wizarding world.

#10 Dylan And Cole Sprouse

Image source: WMTV After becoming household names as the mischievous twins on Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Dylan and Cole Sprouse famously stepped away from the spotlight to attend New York University. They have since returned to the entertainment world, though on distinctly different paths. Cole achieved a new level of fame playing Jughead Jones on the hit series Riverdale, while Dylan has focused on independent films and even opened his own all-mead brewery in Brooklyn.

#11 Charles And Max Carver

Image source: Gage Skidmore Actors Charles and Max Carver are best known for playing the twin alpha werewolves, Ethan and Aiden, on the MTV series Teen Wolf. They've also appeared as the twin sons of Felicity Huffman's character on Desperate Housewives. One of the most interesting facts about the identical brothers is that they were actually born on different days: Charles was born on July 31st, while Max arrived just seven minutes later, on August 1st.

#12 Matt And Ross Duffer

Image source: WIRED Identical twin brothers Matt and Ross Duffer are the creative masterminds behind the global pop culture phenomenon, Stranger Things. After years of struggling to break into the industry, they created a show that was a love letter to the 1980s films they grew up with, blending sci-fi, horror, and coming-of-age themes. Their pitch was famously rejected by over 15 networks before Netflix finally picked it up, a decision that would lead to one of the streaming service's most successful and iconic original series.

#13 Jon And Dan Heder

Image source: hederjon While Jon Heder became a comedy icon for his role as the awkward and quotable lead in Napoleon Dynamite, his identical twin brother, Dan, works behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Dan is a visual effects artist who has worked on major blockbuster films, including Avengers: Endgame and Guardians of the Galaxy. The brothers have collaborated professionally, with both providing voices for the animated film Monster House.

#14 Benji And Joel Madden

Image source: Alfred Nitsch As the frontman and lead guitarist, identical twins Joel and Benji Madden are the unmistakable core of the pop-punk band Good Charlotte. From their early days with spiky hair and eyeliner, they became defining figures of the early 2000s music scene with massive hits like "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous." While still performing with the band, the brothers have also expanded their careers as producers and television personalities, notably serving as coaches on The Voice Australia.

#15 Jenna Bush Hager And Barbara Pierce Bush

Image source: jennabhager As the fraternal twin daughters of President George W. Bush, Jenna and Barbara spent their college years in the unique spotlight of being First Children. Since leaving the White House, both have built successful careers, though in very different fields. Jenna has become a prominent media personality as the co-host of NBC's Today with Hoda & Jenna. Barbara, on the other hand, has focused on global health, co-founding and serving as board chair of the nonprofit organization Global Health Corps.

#16 Nicholas Brendon And Kelly Donovan

Image source: NicholasBrendon, Raven Underwood During the run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the show's writers came up with a storyline where Nicholas Brendon's character, Xander Harris, gets split into two identical versions of himself. To pull this off, they hired the perfect body double: Brendon's own identical twin brother, Kelly Donovan. Kelly also served as his brother's stunt double on the show, making their on-screen collaboration a frequent, though often unnoticed, occurrence.

#17 Tia And Tamera Mowry

Image source: The Real Daytime Tia and Tamera Mowry shot to stardom in the 1990s with their hit sitcom Sister, Sister, a show built around their real-life twin dynamic after a chance encounter in a TV studio. The series played on their distinct personalities, a theme that has continued throughout their careers. After the show, they both continued to act, starring together in the Disney Channel movie Twitches and later in their own reality series, Tia & Tamera.

#18 Alanis And Wade Morissette

Image source: Justin Higuchi, Cleveland Yoga While Alanis Morissette became a global superstar with her groundbreaking album Jagged Little Pill, her fraternal twin brother, Wade, has built a career that combines music, yoga, and therapy. Wade is an accomplished indie-rock musician in his own right, but he is also a well-known yoga instructor and author who advocates for the healing connections between the two disciplines. Alanis even wrote the foreword for one of his books.

#19 Aaron And Angel Carter

Image source: angelcharissma Fraternal twins Aaron and Angel Carter grew up in the spotlight, largely due to the fame of their older brother, Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys. Aaron followed in his brother's footsteps, launching a successful pop and hip-hop career in the late 90s as a young teen. Angel, on the other hand, pursued a career in modeling. The twins' lives have been marked by a well-documented and often tumultuous family dynamic.

#20 Marcus And Lucas Dobre

Image source: marcusdobre and lucas_dobre Known collectively as the Dobre Twins, Lucas and Marcus have turned their high-energy antics into a massive social media empire. They first gained traction on the now-defunct platform Vine before migrating to YouTube, where they built a huge following with a mix of vlogs, pranks, and elaborate gymnastics stunts. Along with their two older brothers, they form the "Dobre Brothers," a collaborative channel that has made them some of the most successful and recognizable content creators on the platform.

#21 Tiki And Ronde Barber

Image source: tiki.barber For over a decade in the NFL, identical twins Tiki and Ronde Barber were stars on opposite sides of the ball. While Tiki was a record-setting running back racking up yards for the New York Giants, Ronde was a shutdown cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This unique dynamic meant the brothers occasionally had to face each other on the field. Ronde ultimately played his entire 16-year career with the Buccaneers, winning a Super Bowl and earning a well-deserved induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

#22 Kenny And Keith Lucas

Image source: Agassist Identical twins Kenny and Keith Lucas, known professionally as The Lucas Bros, have a uniquely poker-faced and philosophical style of stand-up comedy. Their act often involves them finishing each other's sentences, a dynamic they've translated into their writing and acting careers. After gaining acclaim for their animated series Lucas Bros. Moving Co., they had a major breakthrough with their scene-stealing roles in the Oscar-nominated film Judas and the Black Messiah.

#23 Noah And Chloe Schnap

Image source: noahschnapp, noahschnapp Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp has a fraternal twin sister named Chloe, and he often shares glimpses of their close sibling bond with his massive social media following. One of the most famous anecdotes he's shared is about how they've celebrated their shared birthday over the years. According to Noah, they have always had to have two separate birthday cakes because they could never agree on a flavor, with Chloe preferring vanilla and him wanting chocolate.

#24 May And Ruth Bell

Image source: ruthnotmay Identical twins May and Ruth Bell have taken the high-fashion world by storm, though they are famous for their distinctly different looks. The sisters began their modeling careers together, but it was Ruth's decision to shave her head for an Alexander McQueen campaign that instantly catapulted her to international fame. This stark contrast (May with her long, flowing hair and Ruth with her signature buzzcut) has made them one of the most recognizable and in-demand sets of twins in the industry.

#25 Mo And Hassan Farah

Image source: gomofarah The early lives of British Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah and his twin brother, Hassan, were tragically shaped by the Somali civil war. When they were just eight years old, the family made the difficult decision to send three of their six children, including Mo, to London for a chance at a safer life. Hassan, however, fell ill and had to stay behind, resulting in the brothers being separated for 12 years before they were finally able to reunite.

#26 Tristan And Sasha Hemsworth

Image source: chrishemsworth, chrishemsworth Born in 2014, fraternal twins Tristan and Sasha are the sons of Marvel superstar Chris Hemsworth and actress Elsa Pataky. While their father is famous for playing a superhero, he's shared that one of his sons has a surprising preference for a different one. When asked who their favorite superhero was, one of the twins declared his loyalty to Superman, much to the amusement of his on-screen Thor dad.

#27 Laurent And Larry Bourgeois

Image source: lestwinson Professionally known as Les Twins, French dancers Laurent and Larry Bourgeois are self-taught masters of the New Style hip-hop. Their incredible synchronization and unique, fluid movements first gained them viral fame on YouTube before they went on to win the inaugural season of the reality competition World of Dance. Their talent has led them to tour with some of the biggest names in music, most notably serving as the only male dancers on Beyoncé's "The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour."

#28 Bill And Tom Kaulitz

Image source: Cupcake_kltz, billkaulitz As the lead singer and guitarist, respectively, identical twins Bill and Tom Kaulitz are the driving force behind the German rock band Tokio Hotel. In the mid-2000s, they became international superstars, famous for their androgynous glam-rock aesthetic, with Bill's spiky, black-dyed hair and heavy eyeliner becoming their most iconic look. Tom, on the other hand, was known for his hip-hop-inspired style with dreadlocks and baggy clothes. Today, Tom is also known for his marriage to supermodel Heidi Klum.

#29 Laverne Cox And M Lamar

Image source: Sachyn Mital, M. Lamar Music When Laverne Cox's groundbreaking character on Orange Is the New Black, Sophia Burset, had a flashback to her pre-transition days, the show's producers found the perfect actor to play the part: her identical twin brother, M Lamar. While Laverne is a famous actress and LGBTQ+ advocate, M Lamar is a renowned composer and avant-garde performance artist in his own right. This unique casting choice allowed for an authentic and powerful portrayal of the character's backstory.

#30 Charlotte And Samantha Ronson

Image source: samantharonson, businessinsider.com Born into a prominent family, fraternal twins Charlotte and Samantha Ronson have both become well-known figures in their respective creative fields. Charlotte is a successful fashion designer, known for her eponymous clothing line that became a favorite among celebrities in the early 2000s. Samantha is a world-famous DJ who has performed at high-profile events globally and gained significant media attention for her relationship with actress Lindsay Lohan.

#31 John And Edward Grimes

Image source: jepicpics Known professionally as Jedward, Irish identical twins John and Edward Grimes are famous for their towering, gravity-defying hair and boundless energy. They first shot to fame as contestants on the British reality show The X Factor in 2009. Despite being initially mocked for their limited vocal abilities, their quirky and entertaining performances won over a massive fanbase, allowing them to launch a successful pop career and represent Ireland twice in the Eurovision Song Contest.

#32 Eva And Joy Green

Image source: evagreenweb While Eva Green is an internationally recognized actress known for her striking, dark-haired roles in films like Casino Royale, her fraternal twin sister, Joy, has chosen a life far away from the Hollywood spotlight. Joy lives in Normandy, France, where she and her husband raise horses. According to Eva, she and her sister are polar opposites in personality, with Joy being much more down-to-earth and uninterested in the world of acting.

#33 Nikki And Brie Bella

Image source: Walt Disney Television, WWE Vault Known to WWE fans as The Bella Twins, Nikki and Brie Garcia became two of the most recognizable faces of the women's wrestling division. Famous for their signature "Twin Magic" maneuver, where they would secretly switch places during a match to gain an advantage, they were central figures in the evolution of women's wrestling in the company. Both sisters held the Divas Championship, with Nikki's 301-day reign standing as the longest in the title's history. After retiring from the ring, they have continued their careers in reality television, podcasting, and as entrepreneurs.

#34 Dean And Dan Caten

Image source: Dfisun Identical twins Dean and Dan Caten are the Canadian fashion designers behind the globally recognized luxury brand, Dsquared2. Known for their flamboyant and theatrical runway shows, the brothers moved to Italy in the 1990s to launch their label, which blends American pop culture with sophisticated Italian tailoring. They are famous for their celebrity collaborations and for designing the stage costumes for performers like Madonna and Christina Aguilera.

#35 Max And Emme Muñiz

Image source: jlo The birth of fraternal twins Max and Emme in 2008 was a massive media event, with People magazine reportedly paying six million dollars for the exclusive first photos of Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony's newborns. While both have been largely kept out of the direct spotlight, Emme has already shown a flair for performing, famously joining their mother on stage for a surprise appearance during the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show.