Film, music, archaeology - even game-keeping. You name it, the Fiennes do it...

While Ralph and Joseph have been grabbing all the headlines, their brothers and sisters have been making names for themselves too.

With leading roles in three of the most highly acclaimed films of the 90's, Ralph and Joseph Fiennes have established themselves among the biggest names in Hollywood.

But they're far from the only Fiennes making names for themselves. As well as Ralph and Joseph, who between them have starred in The English Patient, Schindler's List and Shakespeare In Love, there are four other siblings plus and adopted brother.

The product of an extraordinary mother Jini, a painter and writer who died from breast cancer in 1993, and father Mark, a farmer- turned-photographer, the seven children were brought up in various parts of England and Ireland.

They formed a close-knit unit and were all encouraged by their mother to express themselves.

Joseph, 29
The youngest of the brood, Joseph and his twin brother Jake had to fight to be heard. "Being the youngest," he recalls, "I was introduced to this chaotic adventure. You were continually stimulated with crayons, paint, drawings and books." He left school at 16 to do a one-year art course in Suffolk, before deciding, like Ralph some years earlier, that he was much more interested in acting. Shortly after he enrolled on a three-year course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Despite the success of Shakespeare In Love, which is nominated for numerous Oscars, he says he feels most at home on the stage. Having split from long-term girlfriend Sara Griffith's, he's now dating actress Catherine McCormack. He recently bought a new home in west London.

Jacob, 29
Jacob is the only family member not working in the arts and living in London. Known as Jake, Joseph's twin is a gamekeeper who lives and works in Norfolk. Instead of taking trips to the theatre or going to a dinner party, he's more likely to be found making a late check around the estate in Raveningham owned by Sir Nicholas Bacon. His proudest moment was when he won a trophy in Inverness for catching salmon and shooting grouse. After leaving school, he went to work on a farm in Australia. "I'm very different from the rest of my family. I'm a country boy at heart and I like the quiet life," he says. He lives in a 100-year-old cottage on the estate with his girlfriend Mel Plaice.

Sophie, 31
Growing up sandwiched between five brothers and a sister, second youngest Sophie sympathised with her mother's arduous child-rearing tasks. 'As we entered into adolescence it got more exhausting, surrounded by dirty clothes, smelly adolescent boys and people always wanting to be fed," she recalls. A film producer and writer, she also excels in photograph and theatre design. Not suprisingly, she has also found a small part on sister Martha's film Onegin, but definitely doesn't want to be known as an actress. Like most of her brothers and sisters, she lives in London.

Magnus, 33
Magnus was always interested in music and was encouraged to play instruments from an early age. Now a successful composer, he and his wife Maya produced the recent score for his sister Martha's film Onegin, which stars big brother Ralph. Magnus has also written songs for All Saints and has production credits on at least half of the tracks on their debut album. He lives in west London.

Martha, 34
Martha is completely unlike Ralph. "My mother used to joke that it was such a relief when I came along because I was a social, busy, normal child in comparison," she says. Always encouraged to record her experiences on video, Martha grew up to direct TV adverts. Most recently, however, she made her film directing debut with Onegin, starring her brother Ralph and Liv Tyler. Based on Aleksandr Pushkin's novel Eugene Onegin, the film was shot last year, partly on location in Russia. Martha's married to fellow advert maker George Tiffin. They have two children and live in London.

Ralph, 36
The eldest of the Fiennes clan was quiet and intense as a boy. Family life was, he recalls: "Full of everyday practicalities, rows, slamming doors, and people screaming: 'Shut up, leave me alone!'" He won Oscar nominations for Schindler's List and The English Patient. Most recently he starred in and produced his sister Martha's film Onegin, due out in June. Divorced from actress wife Alex Kingston, he's now in a relationship with Francesca Annis.

Michael, 46
Michael Emery was adopted, aged 11, after Jini spotted an advert in The Times. It read: "Michael, aged 11, urgently seeks a home where he's allowed to read a book." It immediately struck a chord with her. Jini's husband Mark recalls: "Of course, that triggered it instantly. 'He must have a chance to read! He must have a home!'" Michael, who was abandoned by his mother at the age of three, spent eight years in children's homes. He now works as an archaeologist. "I feel I wouldn't have go to the position of having two children, but Jini gave me the opportunity in the way she nurtured me -- showing me I can love and feel loved," he says. "And at the end of the day, I'm a loving parent."