Top 10 Shocking Revelations on Finding Your Roots
#10: Tina Fey
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At first glance, it may appear that Tina Fey and Founding Father Benjamin Franklin share nothing in common. Other than their lucious shoulder-length locks, of course. However, a surprising connection between the two was revealed on “Finding Your Roots.” It turns out Fey’s paternal fifth great-grandfather was John Hewson, an English textile manufacturer trained in London. Hewson moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the suggestion of his friend, Benjamin Franklin, who helped him establish a quilting factory there. Shortly after, the American Revolution broke out and reached Pennsylvania. Despite being English himself, Hewson seemingly opposed British colonialism in America and served as a patriot during the war. Today, his quilt work still hangs at the Met.
#9: Brendan Fraser
It’s not uncommon for striking employees to harbor anger and frustration towards so-called “scab workers.” But it seems one of actor Brendan Fraser’s ancestors may have taken things a little too far. Fraser’s great-great-grandfather, Patrick Devine, migrated from Ireland to the U.S. and found employment in a Pennsylvania coal mine. As an Irish immigrant, Devine faced discrimination at work and protested a wage reduction by going on strike. When scab workers replaced the striking employees, Devine and another engineer shot one of the replacements, although he miraculously survived. It was a shocking revelation for Fraser who couldn’t help but wonder if his ancestor’s extreme actions did anything to solve the underlying issues.
#8: Angela Davis
Throughout her career as a political activist, Angela Davis has consistently fought against various forms of structural racism. So when she appeared on “Finding Your Roots” in 2023, it was shocking to learn that her ancestors were among America’s first white settlers. Davis was revealed to be a descendant of William Brewster, one of the 102 passengers who arrived at the colonies on the Mayflower. The ironic discovery serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate nature of human ancestry. Davis’ heritage also extends through a complex mix of bloodlines involving slave owners and enslaved people. Notably, one of her ancestors played a pivotal role in securing the freedom of his nephews by taking their master to court.
#7: Kerry Washington
Although Kerry Washington didn’t necessarily make this shocking discovery on “Finding Your Roots,” it might not have come to light if not for the show. The actress, who had reportedly always felt a disconnect with her dad, opted to undergo a genealogy test on the series. However, she noticed her father’s reluctance to provide DNA samples for the procedure. This apparently stemmed from the fact that Washington’s parents had conceived her using a sperm donor, a detail they never disclosed to her. Realizing that the test would uncover this information, Washington’s parents finally revealed the truth. The actress credits host Henry Louis Gates Jr. for encouraging her parents to come clean, acknowledging that it has strengthened her bond with them.
#6: Anderson Cooper
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When award-winning journalist Anderson Cooper appeared on “Finding Your Roots” in October 2014, he made a disconcerting revelation about one of his ancestors. Cooper’s fourth great-grandfather, Burwell Boykin, was a slave owner in the southern United States, overseeing a plantation with 12 slaves. At some point, one of the slaves managed to escape, but he was later recaptured and locked in a shed. The escapee eventually rebelled and fatally attacked Boykin with a farm hoe. For this act of defiance, the slave was executed without a fair trial. Despite being stunned by the violent nature of the murder, Cooper acknowledged he felt no sympathy for his late ancestor.
#5: Bill Maher & Bill O'Reilly
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They are two of the most contrasting political commentators on the air. Bill Maher is an outspoken liberal atheist while Bill O’Reilly is as much of a conservative Christian as anyone can get. However, despite their stark differences, both men share a surprising connection. In a season 3 episode of “Finding Your Roots,” it was revealed that the two polar opposite personalities are actually distant cousins. Through Y-DNA test analysis, both men were traced back to a common male ancestor from the medieval Irish kingdom of Breifne. It just goes to show that no matter how different we may appear to be, we often share more similarities than we realize.
#4: Joe Madison
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Imagine going your entire life believing you know who exactly your parents are, only to have that belief completely shattered. That was the plight of veteran radio talk-show host Joe Madison. In 2019, Madison appeared on “Finding Your Roots” and discovered, through a DNA test, that Felix Madison, the man he thought was his biological father actually wasn’t. This revelation was so sensitive that host Henry Louis Gates Jr. had to share it with Madison privately, away from all the cameras and recording equipment. Through the show, Madison also learned that his biological grandfather was one of the study subjects in the controversial Tuskegee syphilis experiment.
#3: Kevin Bacon & Kyra Sedgwick
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The “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” trivia game purports that every actor in Hollywood can be linked to Kevin Bacon by just six or fewer connections. If true, this would apply to his own wife, actress Kyra Sedgwick. However, in 2011, the couple discovered that their connection goes far beyond marital vows or a fun trivia game. In fact, through “Finding Your Roots,” Bacon and Sedgwick learned that they are cousins. Although, their relationship is quite distant, as the two are actually ninth cousins, once removed. Interestingly, it appears the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” isn’t limited to just Hollywood. Bacon was also revealed to be related to Brad Pitt, Barack Obama and King Edward I.
#2: Ben Affleck
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Ben Affleck’s appearance on the second season of “Finding Your Roots” sparked a controversy that threatened the show’s future. Results of the genealogy tests exposed the fact that one of Affleck’s ancestors was a slave owner. This revelation seemed to embarrass the actor, prompting him to request that the producers omit it in favor of less controversial details. But you know what they say, nothing stays hidden under the sun. During the infamous Sony Pictures hack in 2014, an email leaked which revealed Affleck’s unusual request. As a result, the third season of “Finding Your Roots” was temporarily suspended. Affleck later apologized for his actions and the show eventually returned to the air.
#1: Larry David & Bernie Sanders
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On the surface, comedian Larry David and U.S. senator Bernie Sanders share a lot of similarities. They’re both elderly Jewish men born in New York City in the 1940s. Sanders even has a brother named Larry, while David has impersonated the senator multiple times on “Saturday Night Live.” However, when they both participated on “Finding Your Roots” in 2017, they discovered an even deeper connection: they’re sixth cousins, once removed. This surprising revelation seemed to delight both men, although they were clearly taken aback by it. Now, we just eagerly anticipate seeing the fictionalized version of the discovery on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” What other celebrities do you think may share an eerie connection? Share your suggestions in the comments below.
