Famous Actors Who Are Actually Related to Historical Figures

Many Hollywood stars have reached the peak of fame through their own talent, but some also carry the legacy of history in their DNA. Genealogy researchers and programs like ‘Finding Your Roots’ have uncovered surprising connections between modern actors and some of the most influential figures from the past. From American presidents and European royalty to iconic revolutionaries, these familial ties offer a fascinating look at how heritage persists across centuries. This list explores 35 famous actors who are confirmed to be related to historical figures.

Tom Hanks

The Academy Award-winning actor is a distant relative of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Genealogists have confirmed that Hanks is the third cousin four times removed of the former president through Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks. This connection links the ‘Forrest Gump’ star to one of the most pivotal figures in American history. Hanks has frequently narrated historical documentaries and projects that explore the American presidency.

George Clooney

Another major Hollywood star with presidential ties is George Clooney, who is also related to Abraham Lincoln. The ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ actor is a half-first cousin five times removed of the Civil War-era leader. Their shared ancestry stems from Lucy Hanks, who was the president’s maternal grandmother. This lineage makes Clooney a distant member of the same family tree that produced one of the most famous figures in the United States.

Kit Harington

Known for his role as Jon Snow in ‘Game of Thrones’, Kit Harington is a direct descendant of Robert Catesby. Catesby was the leader of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, a failed conspiracy to blow up the House of Lords in London. Coincidentally, Harington played his ancestor in the 2017 BBC miniseries ‘Gunpowder’. His family tree also connects him to King Charles II through his grandmother, Lavender Cecilia Denny.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch has a royal connection that is particularly close to one of his most famous professional projects. Researchers discovered that the ‘Sherlock’ star is the 16th cousin of King Richard III, the last English king to die in battle. After the discovery, the actor actually read a poem at the king’s reburial ceremony in Leicester Cathedral in 2015. Cumberbatch also portrayed the monarch in the television series ‘The Hollow Crown’.

Tilda Swinton

The versatile actress Tilda Swinton is a direct descendant of the legendary Scottish king Robert the Bruce. Researchers in Edinburgh found that she is 19 generations removed from the ruler who led Scotland during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Swinton can trace this lineage through both her mother and her father, Sir John Swinton. Her family has long been prominent in Scottish history, with roots that predate the Norman Conquest.

Robert Pattinson

The ‘The Batman’ star has a family tree that leads back to Vlad the Impaler, the 15th-century Transylvanian ruler. Vlad III, also known as Vlad Dracula, served as the historical inspiration for the vampire character in Bram Stoker’s literature. Genealogists at Ancestry.com revealed that Pattinson is a distant cousin of the leader through the British royal family. This connection is especially notable given the actor’s rise to fame playing a vampire in the ‘Twilight’ franchise.

Ralph Fiennes

The actor who portrayed Voldemort in the ‘Harry Potter’ series shares a bloodline with the current British monarch, King Charles III. Fiennes and the King are eighth cousins, sharing a common ancestor in King James II of Scotland. His family, the Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, is an established aristocratic line in the United Kingdom. This connection highlights the deep historical roots of many prominent British thespians.

Kyra Sedgwick

The ‘The Closer’ actress belongs to the prominent Sedgwick family, which has a long history in American public life. She is a direct descendant of William Ellery, one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence. Her lineage also includes Judge Theodore Sedgwick, who served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sedgwick is also a distant cousin of her husband, Kevin Bacon, a discovery made on the show ‘Finding Your Roots’.

Bill Hader

Comedian and actor Bill Hader discovered on ‘Finding Your Roots’ that he is a direct descendant of the Frankish king Charlemagne. The ‘Barry’ creator is also the 40th great-grandson of King Edward I of England, often known as Longshanks. Hader expressed shock during the program when presented with a family tree that spanned over 40 generations of European history. These connections link the American comedian to some of the most influential medieval rulers of the Western world.

Clint Eastwood

The legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood can trace his ancestry back to the earliest European settlers in North America. He is a direct descendant of William Bradford, a passenger on the Mayflower who served as the Governor of Plymouth Colony. Bradford was a primary leader of the Separatist settlers and authored the famous historical account ‘Of Plymouth Plantation’. This makes Eastwood a member of a select group of Americans with documented ties to the 1620 voyage.

Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver, known for her iconic role in ‘Alien’, is a descendant of King Henry I of England. Henry I was the son of William the Conqueror and ruled England from 1100 to 1135. The actress’s lineage connects her to the Norman dynasty that fundamentally reshaped British society. This royal heritage adds a layer of historical significance to her family’s background in the arts and public service.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie has documented ties to the French monarchy through her maternal lineage. The ‘Maleficent’ actress is a direct descendant of King Philip II of France, who reigned from 1180 to 1223. Philip II is historically significant for expanding the royal domains and consolidating the power of the French crown. Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, was of French-Canadian descent, which provided the link to this medieval sovereign.

Brad Pitt

Like his former partner, Brad Pitt has connections to European royalty that stretch back many centuries. The ‘Fight Club’ actor is a descendant of King Henry II of England, who ruled during the 12th century. This lineage also makes him a distant cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Pitt’s ancestry has been thoroughly researched by genealogists, revealing a heritage that spans both American frontiers and British royal courts.

Taylor Swift

The singer and actress Taylor Swift is a distant cousin of the famous American poet Emily Dickinson. Genealogy experts at Ancestry.com confirmed that the two women are sixth cousins, three times removed. They both share a 17th-century ancestor who lived in Connecticut and was an early settler in the region. Swift, who has appeared in films like ‘Cats’ and ‘Amsterdam’, has often referenced literary themes in her work.

Meghan Markle

Before marrying into the British royal family, Meghan Markle already had historical connections to prominent British figures. The ‘Suits’ star is a sixth cousin of the legendary Prime Minister Winston Churchill. She is also reported to be a distant relative of the world-famous playwright William Shakespeare. Her family tree reveals a blend of diverse backgrounds that eventually linked her back to major figures in English history.

Rose Leslie

Rose Leslie, known for ‘Game of Thrones’, has a family history steeped in Scottish and English nobility. She is a descendant of King Charles II of England, who reigned during the 17th-century Restoration. Leslie grew up in Lickleyhead Castle in Aberdeenshire, which has been the seat of the Leslie family for centuries. Her father is the chieftain of the Clan Leslie, and her mother is a descendant of King Charles II.

Dakota Fanning

Actress Dakota Fanning is a 22nd great-granddaughter of King Edward III, who ruled England in the 14th century. Her lineage to the monarch was verified through her mother’s side of the family. This makes the ‘War of the Worlds’ actress a distant relative of the modern British royal family. Fanning’s ancestry links her to the Plantagenet dynasty, which oversaw significant military and legal shifts in medieval England.

Elle Fanning

As the younger sister of Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning shares the same royal lineage back to King Edward III. The ‘The Great’ actress is also a 22nd great-granddaughter of the medieval English monarch. This connection also makes her a 21st cousin of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. Both Fanning sisters possess documented “blue blood” that connects their Hollywood success to the ancient thrones of Europe.

Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields is often cited as one of the most well-connected celebrities in terms of royal ancestry. She is a descendant of King Edward III of England through his son, John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster. Her family tree also includes connections to the French, Italian, and Spanish royal lines. The ‘Pretty Baby’ star has been featured on ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’, where her aristocratic roots were extensively documented.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal and her brother Jake are descendants of the Swedish noble family Gyllenhaal. Their lineage also stretches back to King Edward III of England, making them part of the extensive network of celebrities related to the Plantagenet line. The ‘The Dark Knight’ actress possesses a heritage that combines Swedish nobility with English royalty. This historical background has been confirmed by various genealogical research projects.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal shares his sister’s impressive family history, including descent from King Edward III. The ‘Donnie Darko’ actor is part of the Gyllenhaal noble house, which was officially recognized in Sweden during the 17th century. His ancestry connects him to medieval English monarchs and centuries of European leadership. These ties place him in a unique position among American actors with verifiable aristocratic origins.

Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter comes from a family with deep roots in British political and social history. She is the granddaughter of H.H. Asquith, who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 to 1916. Her maternal grandfather was a prominent Spanish diplomat, and her family tree includes several lords and ladies. This prestigious background is often reflected in the ‘Sweeney Todd’ actress’s sophisticated public image.

Zooey Deschanel

The ‘New Girl’ star Zooey Deschanel is related to the French monarch Louis IV. Her family name, Deschanel, has a long history in France, where her ancestors were involved in the country’s political life. This connection to the 10th-century King of the Franks highlights her family’s deep European origins. Deschanel has often spoken about her French heritage and the history of her family name.

Emily Deschanel

Emily Deschanel, known for her leading role in the television series ‘Bones’, shares the same ancestry as her sister Zooey. She is also a descendant of Louis IV of France through their paternal line. The Deschanel family includes notable French figures, such as Paul Deschanel, who served as the President of France in 1920. Their lineage combines medieval royalty with modern political leadership in the French Republic.

Cary Elwes

The star of ‘The Princess Bride’ is related to a man who served as a famous literary inspiration. Cary Elwes is a descendant of John Elwes, an 18th-century British politician known for his extreme miserliness. John Elwes is widely believed to be the primary inspiration for the character Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’. The actor has often commented on this unique family connection to one of literature’s most famous figures.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin is a descendant of several passengers who arrived in America on the Mayflower in 1620. His ancestors include John Tilley and his daughter Elizabeth, as well as John Howland, who famously survived falling overboard during the voyage. This lineage makes the ’30 Rock’ star a member of one of America’s oldest colonial families. Baldwin’s heritage links him directly to the founding of the Plymouth Colony.

Humphrey Bogart

The legendary ‘Casablanca’ actor Humphrey Bogart was also a descendant of the Mayflower pilgrims. Like Alec Baldwin, Bogart could trace his ancestry back to John Tilley and John Howland. Bogart came from a socially prominent family in New York, and his colonial roots were a source of pride. This connection to early American history contrasts with his famous “tough guy” screen persona.

Richard Gere

Richard Gere has one of the most extensive lists of Mayflower ancestors among modern Hollywood actors. His lineage includes Samuel Fuller, Francis Cooke, and Richard Warren, all of whom were passengers on the 1620 voyage. These men were foundational figures in the establishment of the first permanent settlement in New England. The ‘Pretty Woman’ star’s family has been part of the American landscape since the very beginning of European colonization.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp is a 20th cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, a connection that stems from their shared ancestor, King Edward III. This royal link was discovered by genealogists who traced the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ star’s family tree back through English history. Depp’s ancestry is a complex mix of French, Irish, and German roots, but the English royal connection is the most prominent. This makes him a distant relative of the entire British royal family.

Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant possesses a family tree that reads like a history book of the British Isles. He is a descendant of King Henry VII of England and King James IV of Scotland. His lineage also includes prominent military figures and aristocrats who shaped the history of both nations. The ‘Notting Hill’ actor’s background is deeply rooted in the ruling classes of the United Kingdom.

Edward Norton

Edward Norton discovered a remarkable connection to a legendary figure from early American history on the program ‘Finding Your Roots’. The actor is the 12th great-grandson of Pocahontas, the daughter of the Powhatan chief who interacted with English settlers at Jamestown. Norton also found that his family tree included a veteran of the Civil War. This connection to Pocahontas and her husband, John Rolfe, links the ‘Fight Club’ star to a foundational era of the American story.

Danny Dyer

In one of the most famous episodes of ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’, British actor Danny Dyer discovered he was related to royalty. The star of ‘EastEnders’ is a direct descendant of King Edward III and the prominent courtier Thomas Cromwell. Dyer expressed profound shock and humor during the reveal, as he was previously unaware of his noble origins. His lineage connects a working-class cultural icon to the highest echelons of the Tudor and Plantagenet eras.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton, who has appeared in films like ‘House of Wax’, is a distant relative of the British royal family. She is a 20th cousin of Queen Elizabeth II through her father’s side, sharing a common ancestor in King Henry II. Hilton’s mother also confirmed the connection through a DNA test, which linked the family to various historical figures. The socialite and actress has often embraced her status as a form of modern celebrity “royalty.”

Riley Keough

Riley Keough is the granddaughter of the “King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis Presley. While Presley is primarily a musical icon, he is undoubtedly one of the most significant historical figures of the 20th century. Keough, who starred in ‘The Lodge’ and ‘Daisy Jones & the Six’, carries the direct bloodline of a man who transformed global culture. Her family history is a major part of American pop culture lore.

Courteney Cox

The ‘Friends’ star Courteney Cox discovered her royal roots on the television program ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’. She is a direct descendant of King William the Conqueror, the first Norman King of England who reigned in the 11th century. Her family tree also revealed a link to the 14th-century knight Lord Thomas Berkeley, who was involved in the imprisonment of King Edward II. This heritage connects the American actress to some of the most dramatic power struggles in British history.

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