Siblings of the Stars

HBO's hit series "Entourage" is often touted for its accurate depiction of Hollywood life. And perhaps no part of it is truer than its depiction of celebrity sibling dynamics.

Put it this way: While the accountant sister and handyman brother to the bold-face celebrity likely exists, they're pretty hard to find. Siblings of the true A-list are a coterie of Tinseltowners striving for -- if they haven't already achieved it -- their own slice of the limelight.

In fact, when we took a look at Forbes' Most Powerful Celebrity entertainers and their siblings, we quickly realized that the Chase brothers of HBO's show -- superstar Vince and aspiring actor Johnny -- are not just Hollywood entertainment, but Hollywood reality.

Take Lisa Roberts Gillan, older sister to A-lister Julia Roberts. In her case, as it is for many, a superstar sibling opened a door to a career she was already after. Thanks to her baby sister's celebrity, the aspiring actress scored roles in a slew of high-profile flicks -- and Julia Roberts star vehicles -- including "Runaway Bride," "Mona Lisa Smile," and "Something to Talk About." (Though evidence isn't as readily available, it's hard to believe Julia's older brother Eric, also an actor, and his daughter Emma, of "Nancy Drew" fame, didn't benefit from the Roberts name as well.)

In Pictures: Siblings of the Stars

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James Haven, brother to silver screen -- and tabloid -- queen Angelina Jolie isn't exactly the household name his little sister is, but he's been busy grabbing roles in Hollywood. In recent years, the University of Southern California-educated actor and son of Jon Voight added small parts in "Monster's Ball" and CBS' "CSI" to his resume.

Having a family revolve around a single profession is neither a new phenomenon nor one unique to Hollywood, explains Robert Thompson, founding director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University. In fact, it was once tradition for generations of families to devote themselves to a single trade. One need only peruse the names in a phone book for proof: The collection of Bakers refer to a long tradition of people who made bread, while the Coopers are a nod to those that once made barrels.

Now centuries later, such families still exist, especially in Hollywood. For good reason: Success creates opportunities -- jobs, connections, apprenticeships. Appealing prospects in any industry, to be sure, but especially so when they have the potential for fame and fortune tied to them.

"If everyday you see the slobbering attention and all of the other stuff that comes from being a successful star," says Thompson of the seductive nature of stardom, "then it's not surprising you'd want to see if you could get a piece of that action as well."

For some brothers and sisters of celebrities, they've been blessed with the genetic makeup that made their siblings stars in the first place. And in their case, they're able to achieve celebrity in their own right.

Look at Ashlee Simpson, who has deservedly broken free of the "Jessica Simpson's little sister" title in recent years. While criticized early on for shaky stage performances, the Texas-reared dancer-turned-pop-star can now boast a multi-platinum album, a steady rocker boyfriend (Pete Wentz) and a stint in Broadway's Chicago. Up next: Bittersweet World, her third album, is slated to drop in the coming months.

And though hardly the star big sis Dakota Fanning is, 9-year-old Elle has had little trouble building her own resume. The pint-sized star already has a slew of silver screen credits, including roles in "Babel" and "Reservation Road," to her name. Up next, the tiny Tinseltowners will reunite on screen in "My Sister's Keeper," a film adaptation of the Jodi Picoult novel by the same name.

For still other siblings, a behind the scenes gig suffices. Rather than walk the runway with her sister, Patricia Bundchen, the fraternal twin of Brazilian beauty and top-earning supermodel Gisele, is tasked with managing Gisele's off-the-runway dealings, presumably making a pretty penny along the way.

"If the alternative is staying as a salesman or plumber or some ordinary trade, then a position on the margins of celebritydom must seem an attractive alternative, even if you don't occupy everyone's attention," says Ellis Cashmore, author of "Celebrity Culture." "You become a kind of gatekeeper."