You probably know Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen, the face of Betty Buzz, or one half of Hollywood’s most relentlessly charming power couple with Ryan Reynolds. But honestly, if you grew up in the '80s or '90s, you might actually know her sister first.
Blake isn’t a lone star in her family. Far from it. She’s the youngest of a literal acting dynasty. When people ask, "who is Blake Lively’s sister," the answer is usually Robyn Lively—the iconic teen witch herself. But there is also Lori Lively, the eldest of the bunch, who has been working in the industry for decades.
The Lively family tree is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. It’s a mix of full siblings and half-siblings, but they don't really use those labels. To them, they’re just sisters. Period.
Meeting Robyn Lively: More Than Just a Half-Sister
Robyn Lively is 16 years older than Blake. Despite that massive age gap, they are basically inseparable. Robyn was born in 1972 to talent manager Elaine Lively and her first husband, Ronald Lively. Later, Elaine married acting coach Ernie Lively, who adopted Robyn, Lori, and their brother Jason.
If you haven’t seen the 1989 cult classic Teen Witch, stop reading this and go find it. Robyn played Louise Miller, the girl who discovers she has magical powers on her 16th birthday. It’s peak 80s cheese in the best way possible. Beyond the big hair and musical numbers, Robyn has a massive resume. We're talking The Karate Kid Part III, Twin Peaks, and Doogie Howser, M.D. She’s been married to Bart Johnson since 1999. Fun fact: Bart is the guy who played Coach Bolton in High School Musical. Yeah, Troy Bolton’s dad is Blake Lively’s brother-in-law. Small world.
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The Bond Between Blake and Robyn
Robyn often talks about how their relationship "isn't half of anything." They show up on each other’s Instagrams constantly, usually roasting one another or wearing matching outfits at New York Fashion Week. Robyn once mentioned that while they used to help each other with lines and scripts, now they mostly bond over "the mom thing." Robyn has three kids, and Blake has four, so there’s a lot of "auntie duty" going around.
When Blake was facing some heat during the It Ends With Us press tour in 2024, Robyn was right there in the comments defending her "brave" sister. That’s the kind of loyalty you only get from family.
Who is Lori Lively? The Eldest Sister
Then there’s Lori Lively. She’s the first-born of the crew, born in 1966. While she might not be as much of a household name as Blake or Robyn, she’s a total pro behind the scenes. Lori is an actress, but she’s also an acting coach and a production designer.
You might have spotted her in smaller roles in shows like ER, Two and a Half Men, or Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She’s very much the matriarchal figure among the siblings. Because their parents were so involved in the industry—Ernie was a famous acting coach—acting wasn't just a job for them; it was the family business. They grew up on sets.
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The Rest of the Lively Clan
Blake’s only full sibling is her older brother, Eric Lively. You might recognize him from The L Word or the Disney movie So Weird. Like the rest of the family, he’s tall, blonde, and has that specific "Lively look."
Then there’s Jason Lively, the brother who played Rusty Griswold in National Lampoon's European Vacation. He eventually stepped away from the spotlight to run a mobile roasted corn business called "Jimmy Crack Corn" and work in the tech world. It’s a pretty grounded pivot for someone from such a high-profile family.
Why the Lively Sisters Are Different
Hollywood is full of "nepo babies" and sibling rivalries, but the Livelys seem to have skipped the drama. Maybe it’s because they’re all from the South originally (Georgia/South Carolina roots), or maybe it's because they were raised to treat each other as equals regardless of fame.
Blake once told Interview Magazine that her family never treated her like a child, even though she was the baby. They treated her like an adult and a peer. That probably explains why she’s so close with sisters who are 15 or 20 years older than her.
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What You Should Know About the Lively Sisters
If you're trying to keep them straight, here’s the quick breakdown of the women in the family:
- Robyn Lively: The middle sister. Famous for Teen Witch and The Karate Kid Part III. Married to "Coach Bolton." Blake’s literal best friend.
- Lori Lively: The eldest sister. Acting coach and veteran character actress. The one who started it all.
- Elaine Lively: Their mom. A talent manager who basically orchestrated this entire dynasty.
Honestly, the most impressive thing isn't the IMDB credits. It’s the fact that they actually seem to like each other. In an industry that eats families alive, the Lively sisters are still sitting front row at fashion shows together, laughing at inside jokes.
To see the Lively family dynamic in action, keep an eye on Robyn’s social media. She often posts "throwback" photos of a young Blake hanging out on her TV sets in the 90s. It’s a clear reminder that before Blake was a global superstar, she was just the tag-along little sister watching her big sisters work.
If you're looking to dive deeper into their work, start with Robyn's 1989 film Teen Witch to see where the family's "main character energy" really took off. After that, you can spot Lori's guest appearances in classic 90s sitcoms to see the range of the family's acting pedigree.