Are Aaron Sorkin and Arleen Sorkin Related? An In-Depth Exploration

Are Aaron Sorkin and Arleen Sorkin related?

Nope—they’re not related, despite the same last name and both being heavy hitters in Hollywood. If you’ve ever mixed them up (I definitely did!), you are far from alone. Let’s dig into why this confusion happens all the time—and how to sidestep it next time.

Why Do We Mix Up the Sorkins?

Okay, hands up: Who else has confidently blurted out “Oh, Aaron and Arleen Sorkin must be family!” at some point? I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard it at trivia nights, in movie buff circles, or even during a random scroll on Twitter/X.

It makes sense—“Sorkin” isn’t exactly a Jones-level common surname, and Hollywood is full of famous dynasties (Coppolas, Barrymores, Fondas...). But here’s the thing: Sometimes a shared last name is just coincidence. This is one of those cases.

The Quick Facts

• Aaron Sorkin: Born 1961, New York City. Screenwriter/producer/playwright. Known for The West Wing, The Social Network (he won an Oscar for that one!), A Few Good Men, etc.
• Arleen Sorkin: Born 1955, Washington D.C. Actress and voice legend—if you’ve ever heard Harley Quinn’s iconic voice in the original Batman: The Animated Series (1992), that was Arleen! She was also Calliope on Days of Our Lives.

Different backgrounds, different career paths—even different coasts.

Still Not Convinced?

I get it—there’s something oddly satisfying about connecting famous names. For years I thought maybe they were cousins or something (honestly, who could blame me?). But after poking around—official bios, interviews, and even a cursory Google deep dive—there’s zero evidence they’re family. In fact, there’s nothing tying them together except the surname.

Fun fact: If you check their IMDb pages or reputable sites like Variety or Deadline, no mention of family ties pops up anywhere. If they were related even distantly, someone would have written about it by now.

Common Mistakes People Make (I’ve Made Them Too)

1. Assuming all unusual surnames = a family connection
   • “Sorkin” trips us up because it sounds unique. But there are plenty of unrelated Smiths… and yes, plenty of unrelated Sorkins too.
2. Thinking showbiz is one big happy family
   • Not everyone in Hollywood knows each other! They didn’t work together on any projects; Aaron writes dialogue-heavy dramas while Arleen did high-energy voice acting.
3. Trusting your gut instead of checking facts
   • Been there! Five minutes on Google saves a lot of embarrassment later (ask me about my disastrous trivia night sometime).

Memory Hack: Never Mix Them Up Again

Here’s what finally did the trick for me:

• Aaron = Author (screenplays like The West Wing, Moneyball)
• Arleen = Actress (voice of Harley Quinn)

Alliteration is your friend!

How To Avoid Future “Are They Related?” Mistakes

Let’s be real—this won’t be the last time someone asks you if two celebs with the same last name are related. So what can you do next time?

1. Double-check before repeating trivia: Just because someone says it doesn’t make it true! A quick look at Wikipedia or IMDb goes a long way.
2. Look for actual collaborations: If they worked together on something big—or talk about each other in interviews—you’ll probably see headlines about it.
3. Ask yourself: Wouldn’t someone have mentioned this by now? Family connections are usually hot gossip fodder!
4. Don’t stress if you get it wrong: Everyone does at some point—it just means you’re curious.

If you want to really go above and beyond at your next trivia night: Find a quote from one of them about their own family or career path (hint: neither has ever mentioned being related to another famous Sorkin).

Real Talk

Even after all this research, I still pause every time I see “Sorkin” pop up in credits—I have to remind myself not to fall back into old habits! Hollywood is full of weird little coincidences like this.

So next time someone asks if Aaron and Arleen are family? You can say with confidence (and maybe a little smile):
“Actually—not related at all! Just two super talented people who happen to share an uncommon last name.”

And if you ever mess up again? Join the club—it just means you’re paying attention.

Bottom Line:
No relation between Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing) and Arleen Sorkin (Harley Quinn). But hey—it makes for a great conversation starter…and maybe a fun little pop culture myth to debunk with friends!

If only all mix-ups were this easy to fix.