Hollywood sibling stars

Ralph and Joseph Fiennes maintain a separate but equal status. Well, almost equal. Both bring prestige to any project, but Ralph has a more ferocious, haunting quality. However, Joseph’s warm Will Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love cannot be disregarded.

The Marx Brothers are cherished by vintage comedy fans and contemporary comedians. Originally there were five — Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Zeppo, and Gummo. But Zeppo and Gummo left the act early, and the remaining three more than held their own. Especially Groucho. When stopped by a Beverly Hills matron and asked, “Excuse me, but aren’t you Harpo Marx?” he raised those famous furry eyebrows and replied, “No, I’m not. Are you?”

The Barrymores — Lionel, Ethel, John — were the Royal Family of Broadway before achieving movie monarchy. The only movie to star all three Barrymores, 1932’s Rasputin and the Empress, was such a flop that Ethel didn’t return to the screen for a dozen years. Upon her return, she reigned as a regal character actress.

And we’ll end on that sweet note. With apologies to siblings named Gish, Gabor, Sheen, Estevez, Arquette, Jonas, Olsen, Dillon and Fanning, the sibling study is over.

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