Blake Lively has a special brother-in-law in Bart Johnson.

Ever since her sister, Robyn Lively, married Johnson in 1999, Blake has been able to count on her extended family members for love and support.

“For 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of being friends with this kind, loving, committed, hard working and inspiring strong woman!!” Bart wrote via Instagram in August 2024. “Someone that wants to make the world a better place and has been such an exceptional role model in a million kinda ways to care for others, spread kindness and my personal favorite, putting her family first and being an AMAZING wife and mother.”

As Blake’s legal battle with Justin Baldoni continues, her relationships with Johnson and other family members are being put in the spotlight. Keep reading to learn more about this special bond:

Blake Lively followed in her family’s footsteps by joining the entertainment industry. Born in Los Angeles in 1987, Blake is the youngest of Ernie and Elaine Lively’s five children. Elaine previously welcomed her eldest three children — Lori, Jason and Robyn — with her ex-husband, Ronnie Lively, before marrying Ernie in 1979. The couple later […]

Who Is Bart Johnson?

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Johnson has a long resume filled with various film and TV gigs. He famously shared the screen with Zac Efron when playing Coach Bolton in the High School Musical franchise.

He’s also guest-starred on several shows including 9-1-1: Lone Star, The Rookie and Hawaii Five-O.

How Is Bart Johnson Related to Blake Lively?

Johnson started dating Blake’s sister, Robyn, in 1998. After a year of romance, the couple tied the knot in September 1999. They share three kids — Kate, Baylen and Wyatt — who all stepped out to support uncle Ryan Reynolds at the Deadpool & Wolverine New York City premiere in July 2024.

Although Johnson and Robyn are both actors, the couple has found a way to keep their marriage strong through busy schedules.

“We have been so fortunate that we, for the most part, we don’t have overlapping jobs, so when I have a job, he holds down the fort and vice versa,” Robyn shared with People in August 2022. “It’s worked out. It’s been a really fortunate situation for us that we’ve been able to parent this way and not have to bring in a team of people to raise our kids. We wouldn’t have done it that way.”

What Has Bart Johnson and Blake Lively Said About Each Other?

Although Johnson will always cherish Blake’s dad, Ernie, after working with him on his first job as an actor in the 1995 film Mi Familia, he remains grateful for Blake for “helping me gain favor of her older sister Roby.”

“When I grow up I wanna be just like her,” Johnson wrote via Instagram in November 2024. “I’ve got a long ways to go. LOVE YOU BLAKE!!!”

As for Blake, she once called Johnson her “sweet brother” while celebrating his birthday.

“My life would’ve been 92% less fun, and 100% less fattening (delicious) without you,” she wrote via Instagram in December 2015. “I can’t imagine it and don’t want to. ❤️ Like you tons.”

What Has Bart Johnson Said About Blake Lively’s Legal Battle With Justin Baldoni?

After Blake filed paperwork in December 2024 accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, creating a “hostile work environment” and causing her “severe emotional distress” while working together on It Ends With Us, Johnson expressed support for his family member.

At the time, Johnson left a comment on an Instagram post from The New York Times, writing, “Her complaints were filed during the filming. On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him for a reason. Read this article before spiting [sic] ignorance. … No one is with out faults. But the public got played.”

Johnson also appeared to reference Baldoni later that month on X, writing, “He’s a fraud. He puts on the ‘costume’ of a hero, man bun and all. Used all of the trendy catchphrases & buzz words for his podcasts.” (Baldoni previously hosted the “Man Enough” podcast where he tackled themes such as toxic masculinity, mental health and gender disparity.)

Blake Lively has been in the business for two decades, making headlines both on and off the screen. Lively rose to fame playing Bridget in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants franchise opposite America Ferrera (Carmen), Alexis Bledel (Lena) and Amber Tamblyn (Tibby). Since the first film in 2005, the foursome has remained close. “When […]

He has since deleted the social media post and apologized for “anything unkind” he said.

“My [past] comment wasn’t for any individual. Never said a name,” Johnson wrote via X in January 2025. “It was directed at a certain ‘type’ [of person] that I find performative and disingenuous when they post clips of themselves being ‘amazing’ and even add sappy music to enhance it. There’s a lot of that out there.”

Baldoni has denied Blake’s allegations and has since filed his own $400 million lawsuit against the actress. She also denies his claims.