Ralph Fiennes’ 6 Siblings: All About the Actor’s Large Famous Family
Ralph Fiennes’ six siblings have supported his career every step of the way
Ralph Fiennes and his siblings, Joseph, Martha, Magnus, Sophie, Jacob and Michael, hail from a family steeped in creativity.
The acclaimed English actor, who is known for his roles in films such as Schindler’s List, The English Patient and the Harry Potter series, comes from a family rich in artistic talent. Ralph is one of seven siblings, each of whom has carved out a unique path.
Ralph’s parents, photographer Mark Fiennes and writer/painter Jennifer Lash, nurtured a household that deeply appreciated creativity and self-expression.
Much like Ralph, brother Joseph Fiennes made a name for himself in acting, best known for his roles in Shakespeare in Love and the Hulu series The Handmaid’s Tale. Sisters Martha and Sophie have pursued careers in directing, with Martha directing films like Onegin and Chromophobia, and Sophie making significant contributions to documentary filmmaking.
Magnus Fiennes is a composer and record producer, whose work spans various musical genres. Jacob Fiennes and Michael Emery chose paths outside the entertainment industry, with Jacob working as a conservationist and farmer and Michael as an archaeologist.
Ralph has spoken warmly about his family, crediting their shared creative upbringing for much of his artistic sensibility. Martha even enlightened him about the Harry Potter series before the actor took on his role as Lord Voldemort. In an interview with GQ in April 2019, Ralph confessed he “had no sense” about who the character was — or his importance. “I wasn’t that aware when it was first proposed to me.”
From their life growing up to their personal endeavors now, here’s everything to know about Ralph Fiennes’ siblings: Joseph, Martha, Magnus, Sophie, Jacob and Michael.
They mainly grew up in Suffolk, England
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The Fiennes family grew up in a constantly changing environment, moving 14 times over the span of many years. Their moves took them across various parts of Suffolk, Ireland, Wiltshire and London. According to an interview with The Guardian, the nomadic lifestyle was primarily driven by their father Mark, who took on various jobs to support the family.
Ralph highlighted how his childhood prepared him for an acting career that demanded constant travel. “I’m in one place as long as a job requires it,” he told the outlet.
The frequent moves were often due to financial struggles as well, with Ralph recalling the constant worry and discussions about money. “All of us children have the memory of being told that there was no money, we have to sell this, there’s no presents for Christmas,” he recalled.
Despite the challenges, he mentioned how their household was always filled with love and creativity.
They all work in a creative field
The siblings have all found work in various creative fields, thanks in part to their imaginative upbringing. Ralph is a renowned actor known for roles in films like The Menu and The Kingsman. His brother Joseph is also an actor, gaining fame from his role as Commander Fred Waterford in The Handmaid’s Tale.
Younger sister Sophie is a film director and producer, known for projects like The Pervert’s Guide to Cinema as well as other documentaries. Martha is also a director, at the head of films like Onegin, which she worked on alongside some of her siblings. Meanwhile, Magnus is a composer and record producer who has worked with several renowned artists.
Jacob and Michael chose different paths — Jacob is a wildlife conservationist and Michael is an archaeologist. According to The Guardian, Jacob previously stated that “[his] mother’s amazing skill was to encourage six very different individuals to express themselves in whatever way they felt suited them.”
Martha, Magnus, Joseph and Jacob are married with children
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Four of the Fiennes siblings are married with families of their own. Martha is married to George Tiffin, a cinematographer and writer, and they have three children together, Titan, Hero and Mercy. Their son Hero has followed in the family’s acting footsteps, gaining recognition for his role as young Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and as Hardin Scott in the After film series.
On his role in the famous fantasy films, Hero said, “It was cool, it felt more like a one-off fun experience than a potential career choice when I was doing it … I was sold by the days off school more than anything.” The couple’s daughter Mercy also has notable acting credits, appearing alongside Keira Knightley in The Duchess.
Magnus is married to Maya Fiennes, a well-known yoga instructor and composer, and they have two daughters together, Shanti and Celeste. Joseph is married to Maria Dolores Dieguez, a Swiss model. They tied the knot in 2009 and have since welcomed two daughters, Isabel and Sam.
Jacob Fiennes is married to Melanie Plaice, and they share two children, Nathaniel and Teale.
Ralph’s siblings support him on red carpets
All of Ralph’s siblings were present at the premiere of The White Crow in 2019, a film that was directed by the star.
Sophie and Ralph have attended several film festivals together over the years, while Magnus and Joseph frequently join their siblings at significant events and red carpets in the industry.
Joseph gets mistaken for Ralph all the time
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Joseph said he sometimes gets mistaken for Ralph, which has been a recurring theme throughout his career.
When asked if he and his brother are commonly mixed up on a 2017 episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan, Joseph said it “occasionally” happens.
Four of the siblings have collaborated on a project
Four of the Fiennes siblings collaborated on the 1999 film Onegin, which is an adaptation of Alexander Pushkin’s 1833 novel Eugene Onegin. This film marked Martha’s directorial debut and starred Ralph as the lead character. Magnus composed the film’s music, and their sister Sophie appeared in a minor role, making it a true family affair.
In a 2000 interview with IndieWire, Martha shared her experience working with Ralph, describing him as “brilliant to work with.”
She emphasized his intelligence and willingness to experiment with different takes, saying, “It’s a completely alive thing, right through to the very end. It’s fascinating.”
Magnus has worked with celebrities such as Shakira and The Spice Girls
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Magnus has an impressive career in music and entertainment, collaborating with some notable artists, according to his website. He has composed for popular BBC dramas like Hustle, Murphy’s Law and Death in Paradise, and composed musical scores for films like Johnny English and The Next Best Thing.
As far as the music industry goes, Magnus has worked with iconic artists such as Shakira, The Spice Girls, Seal, Pulp and Tom Jones.
His portfolio also includes ambitious projects like the music-driven BBC animation series Freefonix, and collaborations with his sister Martha on digital art platforms like SLOimage.