Celebs Who Are Related To Historical Figures

The world of entertainment often reveals fascinating connections between modern stars and the figures who shaped the past. Many celebrities have discovered through genealogical research that they carry the bloodlines of monarchs and revolutionaries and legendary authors. These links provide a unique perspective on the families of the most famous people in the world. The following list explores the surprising historical heritage of some of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood.

Tom Hanks

The celebrated actor is a distant relative of the sixteenth American president Abraham Lincoln. Their family trees merge through John Hanks who was the great grandfather of the legendary politician. This connection makes the star of ‘Forrest Gump’ a third cousin four times removed of the man who ended slavery. Researchers discovered this link while tracing the ancestry of the actor across several generations. It remains one of the most famous examples of a Hollywood icon sharing blood with a major political figure.

Benedict Cumberbatch

The star of ‘Sherlock’ is actually a descendant of King Richard III of England. This biological connection was confirmed by genealogists who found that the actor is a second cousin sixteen times removed of the monarch. Remarkably the actor performed the poem at the reburial ceremony of the king in 2015. He also portrayed his royal ancestor in the series titled ‘The Hollow Crown’. This unique coincidence highlights the deep historical roots of the British performer.

Robert Pattinson

The actor known for ‘The Batman’ is a distant relative of Vlad the Impaler. History remembers Vlad as the brutal ruler who inspired the character of Dracula. Genealogists discovered that the movie star is linked to the historical figure through the British Royal Family. This connection makes the performer a distant cousin of the man who reigned over Wallachia in the fifteenth century. It is a fitting discovery given his early career role as a famous vampire.

Helena Bonham Carter

The British actress has a direct link to a former Prime Minister named Herbert Henry Asquith. He served as the leader of the United Kingdom during the early twentieth century. The actress is the great granddaughter of the statesman who led the country into the First World War. Her family has a long history of political and social influence within British society. This heritage often informs the regal and sophisticated roles she takes on in various film productions.

Kit Harington

The ‘Game of Thrones’ actor is a descendant of John Harington who was a prominent figure in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. His ancestor is credited with inventing the first flushing toilet for the royal household. This lineage makes the actor a member of a family with deep ties to the British monarchy. He has spoken about this heritage in interviews while promoting his various television projects. The connection provides an interesting historical backdrop to his career as a leading man.

Cindy Crawford

The famous supermodel discovered that she is a descendant of the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne. Her ancestry was traced back over forty generations during a television program about family history. This makes the fashion icon a member of a lineage that includes one of the most powerful rulers in European history. She expressed surprise at finding such a significant historical figure in her family tree. The discovery shows how far back modern genealogical research can go for public figures.

Ralph Fiennes

The actor who portrayed Lord Voldemort is a distant cousin of King James II of England. His family lineage includes many members of the British aristocracy and landowning gentry. He is also related to the current British Royal Family through a shared ancestor. This noble heritage is reflected in the many classical roles he has performed throughout his long career. He remains one of the most respected performers with a direct link to royal history.

Glenn Close

The acclaimed actress is a descendant of King John of England who signed the Magna Carta. Her family tree stretches back to the thirteenth century and includes several other prominent historical figures. She is also a distant cousin of the current British monarch through her colonial American ancestors. This deep lineage connects her to some of the most pivotal moments in Western political history. Her background is filled with ancestors who played roles in shaping the legal systems of the world.

Hugh Grant

The star of ‘Notting Hill’ has an ancestry that includes King Henry VII of England. He is a descendant of the first Tudor monarch through a long line of British aristocrats. His family tree also includes figures like James Stewart who was the King of Scotland. These royal connections place him in the same lineage as many significant European rulers. He has often played characters with a similar sense of upper class British charm in his movies.

George Clooney

The filmmaker and actor is related to the historical figure Abraham Lincoln. They share a common ancestor through the mother of the former president named Nancy Hanks. This makes the two men half first cousins five times removed. The actor has a long history of political activism which some fans associate with his famous relative. This biological link was confirmed by professional genealogists who specialize in presidential family trees.

Johnny Depp

The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ actor is a distant relative of Queen Elizabeth II. They share a common ancestor in King Edward III of England who lived during the fourteenth century. This connection makes the American performer a twentieth cousin of the long reigning British monarch. While the relationship is very distant it highlights the far reaching branches of royal genealogy. Many people find it fascinating that a modern movie star has roots in the ancient English throne.

Brooke Shields

The actress and model is a descendant of King Louis XIV of France who was known as the Sun King. Her lineage includes members of the French nobility and various other European royal houses. This connection makes her one of the most blue blooded celebrities in Hollywood today. She has explored her extensive family history in several television documentaries and interviews. Her ancestors held significant power during the height of the French monarchy.

Uma Thurman

The star of ‘Kill Bill’ is a descendant of King Edward I of England. Her family tree includes various members of the British nobility who lived during the Middle Ages. This ancestry links her to the ruler who was often called Longshanks by his subjects. She is also related to several other influential figures from European history through her mother. Her diverse background includes connections to many different layers of the historical aristocracy.

Tilda Swinton

The versatile actress belongs to one of the oldest families in Scotland with roots dating back centuries. She is a descendant of Robert the Bruce who was the King of Scots in the fourteenth century. Her family has a long record of military and political service to the Scottish crown. This heritage is something she has acknowledged as part of her distinct cultural identity. She continues to represent her family name as one of the most prominent figures in modern cinema.

Guy Ritchie

The director of ‘Snatch’ is a distant cousin of the British Royal Family through King Edward I. He shares a common ancestor with Catherine the Princess of Wales which makes them distant relatives. His family tree is filled with members of the English gentry and professional classes. This connection to the monarchy provides an interesting contrast to the gritty urban films he is known for making. He remains a prominent figure in the British entertainment industry with deep historical ties.

Bill Hader

The comedian and actor discovered his royal roots while appearing on a genealogy television show. He is a descendant of King Edward III of England and the conqueror Charlemagne. The discovery left the actor visibly stunned as he learned about his connection to European royalty. His ancestry spans many centuries and includes figures who ruled large portions of the continent. It is an unexpected family history for a performer known for his work on ‘Saturday Night Live’.

Cary Elwes

The actor from ‘The Princess Bride’ is a descendant of a man named John Elwes. His ancestor was a British politician and a famous miser who inspired the character of Ebenezer Scrooge. The historical figure was known for his extreme frugality despite having a massive fortune. This connection to literary history through a real person is a unique aspect of the family tree of the actor. He has continued the legacy of his family by becoming a well known figure in the arts.

Valerie Bertinelli

The actress and television personality is a descendant of King Edward I of England. Her family history was revealed to her during a research project that tracked her ancestors back to the thirteenth century. This royal lineage connects her to the same family tree as many other Hollywood stars. She expressed great interest in the lives of her ancestors who lived during the medieval period. The discovery added a new layer of historical depth to her personal identity.

Paris Hilton

The media personality and entrepreneur is a distant relative of King Henry II of England. Her lineage connects her to the House of Plantagenet which ruled England for hundreds of years. This ancestry was uncovered by genealogists who studied the complex branches of her family tree. She is part of a small group of celebrities who can claim direct descent from ancient royalty. Her family history is as storied as the modern brand she has built for herself.

Hilary Duff

The actress and singer is a descendant of King Edward III of England. This connection makes her a distant cousin of many members of the current British Royal Family. Researchers have identified her as one of the most royally connected celebrities in the United States. Her family tree includes many figures who played roles in the political history of Europe. She has often been cited in articles about the surprising historical roots of modern pop stars.

Elle Fanning

The young actress is a direct descendant of King Edward III who ruled England during the fourteenth century. This makes her a distant cousin of the current members of the British monarchy. She shares this prestigious royal lineage with her older sister who is also a famous performer. Her family history was traced back through many generations of English and American ancestors. This background provides a regal connection to the historical period she often portrays in films.

Kyra Sedgwick

The star of ‘The Closer’ is a descendant of William Ellery who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Her family has been prominent in American history since the founding of the nation. She is also related to several other influential figures in the fields of law and politics. Her husband is also part of a family with deep historical roots in the United States. This heritage places her in a long line of individuals who helped shape American society.

Kevin Bacon

The prolific actor is related to King Edward I of England through his colonial ancestors. He is also a distant cousin of his wife Kyra Sedgwick through their shared historical lineage. This connection was famously revealed on a television program that explores the ancestry of celebrities. His family tree includes many individuals who were involved in the early governance of the American colonies. He remains one of the most connected individuals in Hollywood in more ways than one.

Anderson Cooper

The news anchor is a descendant of Cornelius Vanderbilt who built a shipping and railroad empire. This heritage links him to the Gilded Age of American history when his ancestors were industrial titans. While he has made his own name in journalism his family history remains a significant part of his public identity. The Vanderbilt legacy is one of the most prominent examples of American dynastic history. His ancestors were responsible for some of the most iconic landmarks in New York City.

Edward Norton

The actor discovered that he is a direct descendant of the historical figure Pocahontas. His family has passed down stories of this connection for generations and it was finally verified by historians. He is the twelfth great grandson of the famous daughter of the Powhatan chief. This lineage links him to the earliest interactions between Native Americans and English settlers. It is a profound historical connection that the actor has spoken about with great respect.

Harry Lloyd

The actor who appeared in ‘Game of Thrones’ is the great great great grandson of Charles Dickens. He is a direct descendant of the legendary Victorian author who wrote ‘Oliver Twist’ and ‘Great Expectations’. His family has maintained a connection to the literary legacy of his famous ancestor for many years. He has even worked on projects that adapt the stories written by his great grandfather. This heritage makes him a living link to one of the most important figures in English literature.

Oona Chaplin

The actress is the granddaughter of the legendary silent film star Charlie Chaplin. She is also the great granddaughter of the famous American playwright Eugene O’Neill. Her family tree is filled with some of the most influential figures in the history of global entertainment and literature. This background has given her a unique perspective on the performing arts from a very young age. She continues to build her own career while carrying the legacy of two major historical icons.

Rose Leslie

The actress known for ‘Downton Abbey’ was raised in a castle and has royal roots. She is a descendant of King Charles II of England through her mother who belongs to the Clan Fraser. Her father is the chieftain of the Clan Leslie which has a long history in the Scottish nobility. This background made her transition into period dramas feel very natural for her. Her ancestors were involved in many of the political struggles that defined the history of Britain.

Christopher Lee

The late actor was a descendant of the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne through the noble Carandini family. His lineage was so prestigious that he was even granted the right to wear the coat of arms of the family. He often spoke about his ancestors who were involved in European politics and military history for centuries. This noble background contributed to his commanding presence on screen in many iconic roles. He remained proud of his historical roots throughout his entire life.

Armie Hammer

The actor is the great grandson of the industrialist and philanthropist Armand Hammer. His ancestor was a major figure in the oil industry and had close ties to many world leaders. The family was known for its massive wealth and influence during the twentieth century. This connection to a titan of industry shaped the upbringing and public image of the performer. His family history is a notable example of American corporate success and historical significance.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

The ‘Seinfeld’ star is a member of the Louis-Dreyfus family which founded a global merchant firm. She is a descendant of Léopold Louis-Dreyfus who established the company in the nineteenth century. Her family has been influential in international trade and finance for several generations. While she is famous for her comedy her background is rooted in a major historical business empire. This heritage makes her one of the wealthiest and most historically connected actors in the world.

Angelina Jolie

The actress and humanitarian is a descendant of King Philip II of France. Her lineage connects her to the medieval French monarchy through her mother Marcheline Bertrand. This ancestry links her to the royal house that ruled France during the Middle Ages. She is also related to several other prominent European figures through her diverse family tree. Her global influence mirrors the significant impact her ancestors had on the history of their nations.

Brad Pitt

The movie star has a family tree that includes King Henry II of England. This royal connection makes him a distant cousin of many other famous performers and historical figures. His ancestry was traced back to the twelfth century by genealogists interested in Hollywood lineages. He shares this royal bloodline with several other prominent American actors who have colonial roots. This discovery highlights the widespread nature of royal descendants in the modern world.

Céline Dion

The legendary singer is a distant relative of King Philip II of France through her French Canadian ancestors. Her family tree connects her to the early settlers of North America who brought their royal lineages from Europe. She shares a common ancestor with several other famous entertainers from Quebec. This historical link to the French throne is a source of interest for many of her fans. Her powerful voice is a modern highlight in a long line of influential individuals.

Taylor Swift

The global pop star is a distant cousin of the famous American poet Emily Dickinson. They share a common ancestor from the seventeenth century who lived in New England. This connection links two of the most successful female writers in American history across several centuries. Fans have noted the thematic similarities between the work of the singer and her historical relative. The discovery of this biological tie adds a poetic layer to the career of the musician.

Meryl Streep

The acclaimed actress is a descendant of William Penn who founded the Province of Pennsylvania. Her family has deep roots in the early history of the United States and the Quaker community. This connection to a major colonial figure reflects the long standing presence of her family in America. She has often portrayed strong historical women in her award winning film roles. Her personal history is tied to the very foundations of the American democratic experiment.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

The actress and director is a descendant of King Edward III of England. Her family tree includes members of the European nobility and early American settlers. This royal lineage is shared with her brother who is also a famous actor in Hollywood. Her ancestors were involved in many important political events throughout British and American history. This background provides a sophisticated context for her work as a storyteller in the film industry.

Jake Gyllenhaal

The star of ‘Donnie Darko’ is a descendant of King Edward III and belongs to the Swedish noble family Gyllenhaal. His lineage includes aristocrats who served the Swedish crown for several generations. This noble heritage is combined with a strong history of academic and artistic achievement in his family. He has spoken about the importance of his family history in shaping his own career path. He remains a prominent link between modern Hollywood and European historical nobility.

Danny Dyer

The British actor discovered that he is a direct descendant of King Edward III during a genealogy program. The news came as a shock to the performer who is known for his working class persona. His family tree also includes Thomas Cromwell who was a key advisor to King Henry VIII. This discovery changed the way he viewed his own place in British history and society. It is one of the most famous examples of a celebrity uncovering a surprising royal past.

Sarah Jessica Parker

The actress known for ‘Sex and the City’ is a descendant of Esther Elwell who was accused of witchcraft. This event took place during the Salem Witch Trials in the late seventeenth century. Her ancestor was one of the last people to be accused before the trials finally came to an end. This historical connection to a dark period in American history was revealed on a television show. It provides a fascinating and personal link to the early social history of New England.

Share which celebrity connection surprised you the most in the comments.