10 Celebrities Who Discovered Their Famous Relatives on “Finding Your Roots”

Discovering unexpected family ties among celebrities has always been a fascinating subject, especially when it involves some of the biggest names in Hollywood. “Finding Your Roots,” a popular genealogy documentary series, has brought to light several surprising connections. Here, we explore ten celebrities who found out they were related to other stars through the show.

1. Marisa Tomei & Julianne Moore

Marisa Tomei and Julianne Moore, both Oscar-winning actresses, share more than just a successful career. Despite their different ancestries—Tomei’s being entirely Italian and Moore having no Italian roots—they discovered they are genetic cousins through identical DNA segments on Tomei’s X chromosome. This revelation, made during Tomei’s appearance on “Finding Your Roots” in 2019, delighted both actresses and their fans.

2. John Lithgow & Henry Louis Gates Jr.

In 2021, renowned actor John Lithgow learned he was related to the show’s host, Henry Louis Gates Jr. Lithgow, who appeared on an episode of “Finding Your Roots,” was astonished to discover they were DNA cousins. This connection, stemming from Gates’ European lineage, brought a heartwarming and personal twist to the episode.

3. Kevin Bacon & Kyra Sedgwick

Hollywood couple Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick found out they were ninth cousins once removed. This discovery, made in 2012, added an unexpected dimension to their love story, which began on the set of “Lemon Sky” in 1988. The revelation didn’t surprise Sedgwick much but certainly closed the degrees of separation between her and Bacon.

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4. Bill Maher & Bill O’Reilly

Contrasting television personalities Bill Maher and Bill O’Reilly discovered a surprising connection as distant cousins. Despite their stark differences—Maher being a liberal atheist and O’Reilly a conservative Christian—their Y chromosomes traced back to a common ancestor in medieval Ireland. This revelation, made in a season 3 episode, is a testament to the unexpected nature of genetic ties.

5. Pamela Adlon & Meryl Streep

In a season 8 episode aired in 2022, Pamela Adlon was overjoyed to learn she was related to the legendary Meryl Streep. Adlon’s tearful reaction underscored the thrill of discovering such a prestigious connection. Streep’s multiple Oscar-winning legacy added an extra layer of excitement to this familial revelation.

6. Jimmy Kimmel & Martha Stewart

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel and lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart found out they were distant cousins in 2016. This surprising connection was revealed on “Finding Your Roots” and led to a memorable reunion on Stewart’s show “Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party” in 2019. The revelation highlighted the quirky and endearing traits they shared.

7. Carol Burnett & Bill Hader

Comedy legend Carol Burnett discovered she was related to former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Bill Hader. This familial tie, revealed during the ninth season, delighted Burnett, who reached out to Hader to share the news. The connection underscored the humor running in their genes and led to a lasting bond between the two comedians.

8. Larry David & Bernie Sanders

The resemblance between comedian Larry David and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders goes beyond their similar looks and backgrounds. On the fourth season of “Finding Your Roots,” they found out they were sixth cousins once removed. This discovery, made in 2017, was both surprising and fitting, given David’s famous impersonations of Sanders on “Saturday Night Live.”

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9. Julia Roberts & Edward Norton

Julia Roberts, already part of a star-studded family, learned she was related to actor Edward Norton through “Finding Your Roots.” Although they had never worked together, the revelation added another famous name to Roberts’ family tree. Norton humorously remarked on their shared looks, hoping for a future collaboration.

10. Michael Douglas & Scarlett Johansson

Michael Douglas and Scarlett Johansson, both stars in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, discovered they share stretches of identical DNA, making them distant relatives. Johansson’s Eastern European ancestry connected her to Douglas, adding another layer of intrigue to their familial ties.

Conclusion

These surprising celebrity connections revealed on “Finding Your Roots” remind us of the fascinating and often unexpected nature of genealogy. Discovering shared heritage among famous personalities not only entertains but also highlights the intricate web of human ancestry. Which celebrity would you be thrilled to find in your family tree? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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