Will Arnett’s Siblings: A Deep Dive into the Arnett Family

When most people think of Will Arnett, they imagine his sharp comedic timing, deep baritone voice, and his iconic roles in Arrested Development, BoJack Horseman, 30 Rock, and much more. What many don’t immediately consider is the family that shaped him — particularly his siblings. Behind the spotlight, Will Arnett grew up in a household with siblings who have led their own lives, pursuits, and paths. In this article, we’ll explore what is publicly known about Will Arnett’s siblings, how his family background influenced him, and what the siblings are doing today (as far as records allow).

A Brief Look at Will Arnett’s Family Background

Before we get into his siblings, it helps to sketch the broader family setting in which Will was raised.

• Parents: Will Arnett was born on May 4, 1970 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Edith Alexandra “Alix” (née Palk) and Emerson James “Jim” Arnett. Wikipedia+2Encyclopedia Britannica+2
• His father had a varied professional life: a corporate lawyer, and eventually he served as the president and CEO of Molson Breweries (1997–2000) among other roles. The Canadian Encyclopedia+3Wikipedia+3Encyclopedia Britannica+3
• Will’s parents originally hailed from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and had roots in that province. Wikipedia+2Encyclopedia Britannica+2
• He grew up in Canada, and his early schooling included a stint at Lakefield College School (in which he was asked not to return after a semester for behavioral issues) and later full attendance at Leaside High School. Wikipedia+2The Canadian Encyclopedia+2
• He also briefly attended Concordia University in Montreal before dropping out. Wikipedia+2Encyclopedia Britannica+2

Against this backdrop, Will was not an only child — in fact, he was one of four. He has two older sisters and one younger brother. Encyclopedia Britannica+3Wikipedia+3The Canadian Encyclopedia+3

The more precise details about those siblings, however, are less well documented in the public domain than Will’s own career. Let’s examine what is known (and what is uncertain) about them.

The Arnett Siblings: Names & Lives

1. The Older Sisters: Shanly and Tannis (or “Netannis”) Arnett

Among Will’s older sisters, there is some variation in how their names and roles are portrayed in different sources. Two names frequently appear: Shanly Arnett and Tannis Arnett (sometimes also called Netannis or Netannis Arnett). The Canadian Encyclopedia+4Kahawatungu+4Pinterest+4

• Some sources say that the sisters are twins, though others do not explicitly state that. The Canadian Encyclopedia claims Will has two older twin sisters. The Canadian Encyclopedia
• The article from “Kahawatungu” states the sisters are named Shanly and Netannis. Kahawatungu
• An older “Facts About All of Will Arnett’s Siblings” article mentions Tannis, Shanly, and Charles, indicating Tannis as one sister. Pinterest+1
• Another source (a lifestyle / blog style write-up) says Tannis and Shanly are the two older sisters, and their professional engagements differ: one focused on landscape design / arts, the other in food-themed production / content. YouTube+1

Because these sources are secondary (blogs, Pinterest, etc.), we must treat them with caution. Nevertheless, they provide plausible sketches:

• Shanly Arnett: Some sources report that Shanly lives in Toronto and works as a landscape designer and artist, and may have her own company (Arnett Outdoor Design). YouTube+1
• Tannis / Netannis Arnett: It is claimed in some write-ups that Tannis/Netannis runs a content production firm specializing in “food-themed content” for websites and social media. YouTube+1

Caveat: I could not locate credible, mainstream news or verified interviews confirming these assertions, meaning that these claims should be considered speculative or anecdotal unless backed by a direct source.

2. The Younger Brother: Charles Arnett

Will’s younger brother is cited in several sources as Charles Arnett. The Canadian Encyclopedia+3Kahawatungu+3YouTube+3

• In the blog article, Charles is described as a “sales manager” living in New York. YouTube+1
• Some sources simply mention that he is younger and the sibling count is three (two sisters, one brother). Wikipedia+2The Canadian Encyclopedia+2
• There isn’t much additional public detail (in mainstream press) about Charles’s professional or personal life beyond what these blog sources suggest.

Challenges & Uncertainties in the Public Record

Because Will Arnett is more of a public figure than his siblings, the deeper details of their lives are not well covered by major media outlets, interviews, or reliable biographical sources. Much of what is available comes from secondary or less formal media (blogs, entertainment sites, Pinterest posts, etc.). Therefore:

• Some names might be misspelled, misremembered, or mis-attributed (e.g. “Netannis” vs “Tannis”).
• The nature of their professions and locations may have changed since the last reports.
• We should treat unverified claims about their work and biographies as provisional.

Still, piecing together these threads gives us a plausible — if incomplete — portrait.

How Having Siblings Might Have Influenced Will Arnett

Though the siblings themselves are less publicly visible, their presence in Will’s life likely had influence.

1. Sibling dynamics and personality formation
   Growing up as one of four children would have meant navigating competition, cooperation, and identity among siblings. Will’s mischievous streak in his school years (e.g. being asked not to return to Lakefield College) may reflect a childhood of lively, perhaps rebellious, energy in a home with multiple siblings. Wikipedia+2The Canadian Encyclopedia+2
2. Shared influences and support
   Will’s mother, Edith Alexandra, is cited as encouraging him to pursue acting as a teenager. It’s plausible she supported all her children in following their interests, even if only Will entered show business. Wikipedia+1
3. Privacy preference
   Unlike Will, the siblings appear to prefer lower public visibility. This might influence how Will approaches privacy, sharing, and public life — perhaps valuing discretion for family members who are not in the limelight.
4. Narrative contrast
   Often in celebrity narratives, having siblings who lead more “normal” or private lives helps underscore the extraordinariness of one member’s fame. In Will’s case, the contrast between his public persona and his quieter siblings helps paint a fuller picture of his roots.

Where the Siblings Are Now (As Best as Can Be Traced)

Given the limited, sometimes conflicting data, here’s a summary of what is (reportedly) true today for each sibling:

• Shanly Arnett
  Lives in Toronto. Works (or has worked) as a landscape designer / artist. Possibly runs her own design firm (Arnett Outdoor Design). YouTube+1
• Tannis / Netannis Arnett
  Resides in Toronto. Runs a production firm focused on food-related content for web and social media platforms (according to some sources). YouTube+1
• Charles Arnett
  Lives (or lived) in New York. Employed (in past reports) as a sales manager. YouTube+2Kahawatungu+2

Again: without direct interviews, media coverage, or public statements from the siblings themselves, these details remain provisional.

Will Arnett’s Own Narrative: Siblings in His Life

In the more formal biographies and interviews of Will Arnett himself, the siblings are mentioned, but rarely explored in depth:

• The Wikipedia page notes simply: “Arnett has two older sisters and a younger brother.” Wikipedia
• The Canadian Encyclopedia includes the detail about twin older sisters. The Canadian Encyclopedia
• The “BoJack Horseman” fandom page likewise mentions two older sisters and a younger brother. bojackhorseman.fandom.com
• But in most public interviews about his career, the siblings’ names and lives are rarely discussed.

That said, Will often talks about his early life, struggles, family expectations, and how his upbringing shaped the comedic instincts and resilience he later exercised in his career.

Why the Sibling Story Matters

You might wonder: Why go to the trouble of exploring the siblings of a star? There are a few reasons:

1. Humanizing a celebrity
   Fame can create a sense of distance. Learning about the less famous members of a celebrity’s family helps ground them — showing they come from a normal, multi-person family just like many of us.
2. Seeing alternative paths
   Many people aspire to entertainment, but most do not become stars. Exploring the siblings’ trajectories can highlight the variety of life paths (design, business, content production, etc.) that exist outside the spotlight.
3. Context for influence
   The family environment — including relationships with siblings — shapes who a person becomes. Understanding that helps us read Will’s choices, strengths, and vulnerabilities.
4. Filling gaps in the public record
   Celebrity biographies often emphasize the celebrity. But for genealogists, fans, or biographers, knowing about siblings closes gaps and builds more complete pictures.

A Few Final Thoughts & Caveats

• Limited verified information: As emphasized, much of what is said about Will Arnett’s siblings comes from secondary or entertainment-oriented sources (blogs, Pinterest, etc.). One should treat the information as tentative unless confirmed via reliable journalism or statements from the siblings themselves.
• Possibility of name variants or inaccuracies: The names “Netannis” and “Tannis” may be alternate versions or misspellings of the same name. Without corroboration, it’s hard to know which is correct.
• Privacy respect: It is not uncommon for non-celebrity family members of public figures to prefer privacy, and sometimes low profiles are intentionally maintained. Even where information is minimal, we should respect boundaries.

Conclusion

Will Arnett’s siblings — two older sisters and a younger brother — are intriguing figures in their own right, even if their stories remain less illuminated in public view. From snippets and secondary sources, the sisters appear to be involved in creative or content work (landscape design, production), while the brother is suggested to be in business/sales in New York.