National Brother‘s Day, which is observed on May 24th, was founded by writer and sculptor C. Daniel Rhodes. Though little is known about what sparked the holiday, or why this precise date was chosen, it serves as a superb reason to celebrate the strong, unbreakable bond shared among brothers. If you have a biological brother, or a male figure you consider to be a brother, today is the moment to honor and celebrate that connection with one another.
To mark the occasion, we’re shining a spotlight on eleven pairs of brothers who shook up the entertainment world, whether through music, sports, or film.
1. The Jacksons: Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Michael Jackson, and Randy Jackson
The famous Jackson Five began as a quartet of brothers—Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon—joined by their younger sibling Michael. Their father, Joe Jackson, steered the group as they formed in Gary, Indiana in 1964. After an impressive Apollo Theater amateur-night victory in 1967, they attracted Berry Gordy’s attention, eventually signing with Motown in 1969. The group later departed Motown in 1979, finding a home with Epic Records. Jermaine remained with Motown for a time, having recently wed Gordy’s daughter, and was replaced by their youngest brother Randy, at which point they adopted the billing The Jacksons.
Michael’s solo career exploded following the release of his groundbreaking Thriller in 1982, and he elected to pursue a solo path in 1984 after its massive triumph. Marlon also left the group, while Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Randy joined forces again to record 2300 Jackson Street. The ensemble eventually dissolved. Each brother pursued individual ventures, though Michael’s star shone the brightest and longest of them all.
2. The Isley Brothers: O’Kelly Isley, Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley, Vernon Isley, Marvin Isley, and Ernie Isley
The Isley Brothers remain an iconic staple in music, celebrated for timeless songs such as “It’s Your Thing,” “Between the Sheets,” and “Summer Breeze.” The group initially consisted of four brothers—O’Kelly, Rudolph, Ronald, and Vernon—until Vernon’s tragic death in a biking accident paused the band’s momentum. The siblings paused performing, but with encouragement from their parents, they relocated to New York City and crafted the hit “Shout.”
Ernie and Marvin Isley later joined their older brothers, and they briefly formed Isley-Jasper-Isley with their brother-in-law Charlie Jasper. That chapter lasted three years before the brothers returned to the core Isley Brothers lineup. Ernie and Ronald remain the surviving members from that era and continue to perform together today.
3. Eddie Murphy and Charlie Murphy
Eddie and Charlie Murphy are a pair of brothers whose humor could light up any room. Eddie, two years senior to Charlie, began performing stand-up in clubs while still a teenager, around age 15. He seized his big break at 19 when he joined Saturday Night Live, later starring in films such as Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, and The Golden Child.
When Charlie returned from six years in the Navy, Eddie cast him in projects like Harlem Nights and Vampire in Brooklyn. Eddie later helped propel Charlie to new heights with his Chapelle’s Show engagement. Charlie contributed to other ventures and, in 2007, co-wrote the screenplay for Norbit with Eddie. Charlie Murphy passed away in 2017 from leukemia.
4. Stephen Curry and Seth Curry
Stephen and Seth Curry were raised in a basketball-loving household, watching their father, Dell Curry, light up the court. It is no surprise that both siblings pursued the sport professionally. Stephen was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2009 and has remained a stalwart on the team ever since. Seth, meanwhile, has journeyed through multiple organizations—ten teams in total, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Charlotte Hornets, the latter being the squad Dell played for during a decade. In 2025, Seth joined Stephen with the Warriors, reuniting the brothers on the same roster.
5. The Wayans Brothers: Keenen Ivory Wayans, Dwyane Wayans, Damon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans
The Wayans family is a sprawling clan with ten siblings, five of whom are brothers. Keenen Ivory Wayans, driven by a dream of entertaining others, kickstarted the family’s ascent by writing several films and launching In Living Color, a sketch comedy show that featured many of his brothers over the years and also served as a platform for future stars such as Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, and Jennifer Lopez.
Each sibling charted their own path afterward: Damon starred in Mo’ Money and later created My Wife and Kids; Dwayne contributed to In Living Color as a production assistant and later to My Wife and Kids as well; Shawn and Marlon formed The Wayans Bros and left a marked imprint in spoof cinema with the Scary Movie franchise.
6. Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo Ball, and LaMelo Ball
Before stepping into the NBA, Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo Ball began their basketball journey together at Chino Hills High School. Lonzo, the eldest, went on to play for the University of California, Los Angeles, and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the following year’s draft. His career subsequently included stints with the New Orleans Pelicans and several other organizations, and he now remains a free agent.
LiAngelo likewise joined UCLA but did not appear in a college game; his path took him through overseas leagues and his father’s Junior Basketball Association before he entered professional play in Mexico and later pivoted toward music, signing with Def Jam Records in 2025. LaMelo, the youngest, signed with the Charlotte Hornets in 2020 and has continued to play with them ever since.
7. Steve Harris and Wood Harris
Steve Harris and Wood Harris grew up in Chicago and found their paths into acting during their college years. Steve’s pivot came after a football injury ended his professional playing dreams, steering him toward drama and leading to his earning an MFA in acting from the University of Delaware. He is widely recognized for appearances on The Practice, BMF, and the film Diary of a Mad Black Woman.
Wood Harris pursued a similar trajectory: studying theater at Northern Illinois University before earning an MFA at NYU Tisch. He later gained prominence in Remember the Titans and the television series The Wire in the early 2000s.
8. Aldis Hodge and Edwin Hodge
Aldis Hodge has gained particular recognition for his role in Underground and later portrays Alex Cross in the crime thriller series Cross. His brother Edwin, who initially dreamed of television stardom, helped open doors for both of them. As children, they appeared on Sesame Street and Showboat, and they can even be spotted in Big Momma’s House.
Eventually, both brothers found individual success. Edwin took on the role of Marcus Ride in Jack & Bobby, and later joined the cast of the military drama SIX. He also appeared as FBI Special Agent Ray Cannon in the FBI: Most Wanted series.
9. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, and Alex Antetokounmpo
The Antetokounmpo brothers—Giannis and Thanasis, who are Nigerian-Greek, along with Alex—brought their talents to America to pursue professional basketball careers. Thanasis began with the Greek club Filathlitikos at the junior and lower levels, eventually moving up to the team in semi-pro circles. He was drafted by the Delaware 87ers in 2013 and joined the New York Knicks the following year, later winding up with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Giannis likewise played for the Filathlitikos youth squad before advancing to the professional ranks with the same club for two seasons. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013 and has remained with the franchise since. The youngest brother, Alex Antetokounmpo, made history by being drafted by the Bucks in 2025, marking the first time three brothers have ever played on the same NBA team.
10. Cuba Gooding Jr. and Omar Gooding
Cuba Gooding Jr. and Omar Gooding are another pair of siblings who both pursued acting. Cuba’s breakout role came in John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood, following earlier appearances in Hill Street Blues, Amen, and Coming to America. In 1996, he earned the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Jerry Maguire.
Omar began with commercials and starred as McGruff the Crime Dog before becoming host of Nickelodeon’s Wild & Crazy Kids in the 1990s. His most memorable TV part was as Earvin on Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper. He also appeared in various other projects, including appearances on Remember the Titans and other productions.
11. Sterling Sharpe and Shannon Sharpe
Sterling Sharpe began his NFL career when he was drafted in 1988 by the Green Bay Packers in the first round. He remained with Green Bay through 1994, retiring after a neck injury. He would later be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025.
Meanwhile, Shannon followed a different path in the league, entering the NFL in 1990 with the Denver Broncos as a seventh-round pick. He spent nine seasons with the Broncos, had two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, and then returned to the Broncos, finishing his career in 2003. Shannon was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 and is renowned for earning three Super Bowl rings—two with the Broncos and one with the Ravens.
12. Chris Rock and Tony Rock
Two gifted, humorous performers who come from the same family are Chris Rock and his younger brother Tony Rock. Chris began stand-up in New York City during the 1980s, performing at Catch a Rising Star, where Eddie Murphy took him under his wing. His ascent included a memorable run on Saturday Night Live, followed by Emmy-winning specials like Chris Rock: Bring the Pain in 1997, and work behind the scenes as an executive producer for The Hughleys. He later created Everybody Hates Chris, a project that drew on aspects of his upbringing and became a defining work in his career; in 2024, he even oversaw an animated reboot of the program.
Tony got his start writing for the New York Daily News at age 14, working alongside his father. He later hosted the game show Can You Tell, and served as a correspondent for BattleBots. Tony expanded into acting with a recurring role on All of Us, and he played Uncle Ryan on Everybody Hates Chris, in addition to appearing in numerous episodes of Mann & Wife.
