David Attenborough will be turning 100 on Friday, and the star has led an incredible life, fronting some of the most popular television shows in history.
While his own children live their lives out of the spotlight, David actually comes from a very famous family of actors, with one of his brothers and plenty of his wider relatives all starring in films and shows, ranging from the Jurassic Park franchise to the classic 1996 adaptation of Jane Eyre.
While the Planet Earth presenter has outlasted many of his relatives, his nieces and nephews will no doubt be celebrating the legendary naturalist as he marks the major milestone.
It appears that the star was always destined for a life of fame due to his parents, Frederick and Mary, being notable academics and social activists during their lives. Frederick previously served as the principal of University College, Leicester, while Mary made sure that child refugees were looked after in Leicester during World War II. His younger brother, John, ended up working in the automotive industry with Alfa Romeo, before passing away at the age of 84.
But just how much do you know about David's very famous family? Scroll down to meet the Attenborough brood below…
© WireImageRichard and David had a close relationship
Richard Attenborough
David's most famous relative is his older brother, Richard, who was a famous actor and director. Richard was incredibly talented at his craft, winning a total of 14 awards for his work in front and behind the camera, including two Oscars.
Richard made his acting debut in 1942, when he appeared in In Which We Serve. He later secured roles in the likes of Journey Together, The Man Within, Brighton Rock and The Magic Box. However, his biggest roles would be in the likes of 10 Rillington Place, The Great Escape, Miracle on 34th Street and Jurassic Park, where he played John Hammond, the owner of the eponymous park.
For his directing career, Richard was known for Oh! What a Lovely War, Gandhi, Chaplin and Shadowlands. The star won two Oscars for Gandhi, including Best Picture and Best Director, and the BFI later ranked the biopic as the 34th greatest British film of the 20th century.
In 1945, Richard married the actress Sheila Sim, and the pair welcomed three children, Michael and Charlotte, who became actors and Jane, who was an arts administrator and director. Richard died at the age of 90 on 24 August 2014, and he was interred in a vault alongside his late daughter Jane, and his late granddaughter, Lucy, who both died in 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in Thailand.
Speaking about his brother to The Radio Times, David once confessed that he wished his brother had appeared in more comedy films. "The thing that I'm sorry about is that actually Dick was a marvellous comic actor," he told the publication.
"He was very, very funny, and could be – and was – in domestic circumstances. We just spent all our time roaring with laughter – and that didn't get much of an outlet in his feature films. I mean, Christmas time, you know, we just sat around, roaring with laughter."
© Getty ImagesSheila acted alongside her famous husband
Sheila Sim
David's talented sister-in-law was the actress Sheila Sim, who made her professional debut in 1944 when she appeared in A Canterbury Tale. She also appeared in the likes of The Guinea Pig, Pandora and the Flying Dutchman and The Magic Box, which she appeared in alongside Richard, whom she married in 1945.
The couple also acted together in the first West End productions of The Mousetrap, with her husband playing Detective Sergeant Trotter. The pair were played by Harris Dickinson and Pearl Chanda in See How They Run, a murder mystery based on the iconic play.
In 2012, Sheila was diagnosed with senile dementia, prompting her to move to Denville Hall, a retirement home specifically for those in the entertainment industry. Sheila died two years after her husband on 19 January 2016, at the age of 93. Her ashes were interred alongside other family members.
© Getty ImagesMichael is now a talented director
Michael Attenborough
David's nephew is the theatre director Michael, who is the son of Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim. Despite his father being a prolific actor, Michael preferred to remain behind-the-scenes with his stage work, and is best known for directing plays like Macbeth and Someone Who'll Watch Over Me.
The 76-year-old was previously married to the actress Jane Seymour; however, their union was dissolved two years after they wed. Michael later found love with the actress Karen Lewis, and the pair's two sons, Tom and Will, have also become actors.
© Getty ImagesJane (right) avoided a life of fame
Jane Attenborough
Although Jane's siblings and parents were all notable for their roles in the entertainment industry, she took a different path, becoming an arts administrator and director. During her life, she worked at the Royal Academy of Dance and the Arts Council of Great Britain.
In 1982, she found love with Michael Holland, and the pair had three children. However, during a holiday in Thailand in 2004, Jane was killed in the Boxing Day tsunami, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. Her daughter, Lucy, and mother-in-law, Audrey, were also among the 230,000 victims. Her husband and their other two children survived the disaster. Jane was 49 at the time of her death.
© Alamy Stock PhotoCharlotte had a role in an Emily Bronte classic
Charlotte Attenborough
David's youngest niece, Charlotte, followed in her parents' footsteps by becoming an actress. She made her professional debut in 1961 when she appeared as an uncredited child in Whistle Down the Wind. She also had an uncredited role in her father's film, Oh! What a Lovely War.
The actress also had roles in The Play On One, Jeeves and Wooster and The Ruth Rendell Mysteries. Her largest role came in 1996 when she played Mary Rivers in the adaptation of Jane Eyre, starring alongside Charlotte Gainsbourg and William Hurt.
© Getty ImagesTom (far-right) is now a talented director
Tom Attenborough
David's great-nephew Tom is also a famous actor, with the 39-year-old finding work as a voice actor. He made his debut in 2000 when he voiced Christopher Robin in The Tigger Movie. He also did voice work as Harry Potter and George Weasley in several video games based on the popular franchise.
He has since followed in his father's footsteps and focused on directing, working on the likes of The American Capitalism Project, Port Authority, Dinner with Friends and Private Lives.
© Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImaWill is becoming a talented actor
Will Attenborough
David's youngest great-nephew Will is also a famous actor, with the 34-year-old making his professional debut in the sitcom Holding the Baby back in 1998. He has since appeared in the likes of Dunkirk, No Way Up, Major Crimes and Our Girl, acting alongside Michelle Keegan.
