Robyn Lively: Blake Lively’s Sister — Teen Witch Star and the Lively Family’s First Actress
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Blake Lively is back in the headlines this week, with reports that the actress is plotting a career move beyond Hollywood after her long legal battle over It Ends With Us. While attention turns to what comes next for Lively, her family story starts much earlier — with her older sister Robyn Lively, the first of the Lively siblings to find fame on screen.
Robyn, 54, was a child actress and a teen star of the 1980s long before her younger half-sister became a household name. Best known for the cult classic Teen Witch, she went on to a steady career in film and television — and in 2024 she even appeared alongside Blake in the very film at the centre of the legal storm.
Robyn Lively — Quick Reference Profile
| Full name | Robyn Elaine Lively Johnson |
| Date of birth | 7 February 1972 (age 54) |
| Birthplace | Powder Springs, Georgia, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | Not publicly verified |
| Primary role | Actress |
| Famous anchor | Older half-sister of actress Blake Lively |
| Spouse | Actor Bart Johnson (married 25 September 1999) |
| Children | Three — Baylen (b. 2003), Kate (b. 2005) and Wyatt Blake (b. 2008) |
| Net worth | Not publicly verified |
| Social media | Not publicly verified |
A Childhood in Front of the Camera
Robyn Elaine Lively was born on 7 February 1972 in Powder Springs, Georgia, to talent manager Elaine Lively (née McAlpin) and her first husband, Ronald Otis Lively. She grew up in a family steeped in show business: her older sister Lori and older brother Jason were both actors, and her mother later married acting coach Ernie Lively in 1979.
Robyn was just six years old when she made her screen debut in the television film Summer of My German Soldier (1978). Through the 1980s she appeared in popular shows including Starman, Punky Brewster and Silver Spoons, building a reputation as one of the busiest young actresses of the decade.
Teen Witch and the Karate Kid: Breakthrough Year 1989
Robyn’s breakthrough came in 1989, when she starred in two films that defined her career. In Teen Witch, she played Louise Miller, a teenager who discovers she has magical powers — a role that turned the film into a cult classic still celebrated today. The same year she played Jessica Andrews in The Karate Kid Part III.
Television kept her busy through the 1990s and beyond. She appeared in Doogie Howser, M.D., Twin Peaks, the prime-time soap Savannah, and the drama Saving Grace, moving easily between film and television while many of her child-star contemporaries faded from view.
The Lively Sisters: Sixteen Years Apart, One Close Bond
Robyn is Blake Lively’s older half-sister — the two share the same mother, Elaine, and Robyn was adopted by Ernie Lively, the father of Blake and her half-brother Eric. Blake, born in 1987, is 16 years younger than Robyn, yet the sisters have often spoken of a close and supportive bond.
The family connection came full circle in 2024, when Robyn appeared in It Ends with Us as Ms. Byland — the romantic drama starring and produced by her younger sister Blake. It was a quiet reunion on screen, years after Robyn had helped blaze the family’s trail into Hollywood.
Marriage to Bart Johnson and Family Life
Robyn married fellow actor Bart Johnson on 25 September 1999. Johnson is best known for playing Coach Jack Bolton in Disney’s High School Musical films. The couple have three children together: sons Baylen, born in 2003, and Wyatt Blake, born in 2008, and daughter Kate, born in 2005.
Unlike her younger sister, Robyn has kept a lower public profile, focusing on family life and selective acting work rather than chasing the spotlight. She still appears at public events alongside Blake, and the sisters are regularly photographed together.
What Is Robyn Lively Doing Now?
Robyn continues to act in film and television, with her 2024 role in It Ends with Us putting her back in front of a wide audience. Her career spans more than four decades, from child actress to cult-film icon to working character actress — a longevity few of her 1980s peers can match.
As Blake Lively weighs a reported move beyond acting, her older sister’s path offers an interesting contrast: a long, steady career built away from the tabloid glare, with family at its centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Robyn Lively?
Robyn Lively is an American actress, born 7 February 1972, best known for starring in the 1989 cult film Teen Witch and The Karate Kid Part III.
Is Robyn Lively related to Blake Lively?
Yes. Robyn is Blake Lively’s older half-sister. They share the same mother, Elaine Lively, and Blake is 16 years younger than Robyn.
How old is Robyn Lively?
Robyn Lively was born on 7 February 1972 in Powder Springs, Georgia, making her 54 years old.
Who is Robyn Lively married to?
She has been married to actor Bart Johnson since 25 September 1999. They have three children: Baylen, Kate and Wyatt Blake.
Was Robyn Lively in It Ends With Us?
Yes. Robyn played Ms. Byland in the 2024 film It Ends with Us, which starred and was produced by her sister Blake Lively.
Myth: Robyn Lively quit acting after Teen Witch
False. Robyn worked steadily for decades after Teen Witch, with roles in Twin Peaks, Savannah, Saving Grace and many other film and television productions, including It Ends with Us in 2024.
