Famous Actors Who Are Actually Related to Historical Figures

While many Hollywood stars achieve fame through hard work and talent, some also have remarkable family histories. Thanks to genealogy research and shows like ‘Finding Your Roots,’ we’re discovering surprising connections between today’s actors and important people from the past – including presidents, royalty, and revolutionary leaders. This list details 35 well-known actors who have proven ties to historical figures, offering a fascinating glimpse at how the past lives on through their ancestry.

Tom Hanks

The acclaimed actor Tom Hanks is related to Abraham Lincoln. Family history research shows they are distant cousins – Hanks is Lincoln’s third cousin several times removed, connected through Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks. This makes Hanks a relative of one of America’s most important leaders. It’s interesting to note that Hanks often provides narration for documentaries and projects about American presidents and history.

George Clooney

George Clooney, the star of movies like ‘Ocean’s Eleven,’ has a surprising connection to American history – he’s a distant relative of Abraham Lincoln. They share a common ancestor in Lucy Hanks, Lincoln’s maternal grandmother, making Clooney a fifth-times-removed cousin. This means Clooney and Lincoln are connected through the same family tree, linking the actor to one of the most iconic presidents in U.S. history.

Kit Harington

Kit Harington, famous for playing Jon Snow in ‘Game of Thrones’, has a surprising family history. He’s a direct descendant of Robert Catesby, the man who led the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605 – an attempt to destroy the House of Lords. Interestingly, Harington even portrayed Catesby in the 2017 BBC series ‘Gunpowder’. His ancestry also links him to royalty, as his grandmother, Lavender Cecilia Denny, was related to King Charles II.

Benedict Cumberbatch

As a film buff, I found this fascinating! It turns out Benedict Cumberbatch is actually related to King Richard III – they’re 16th cousins! And it gets even cooler: he actually read a poem at the reburial ceremony for the king back in 2015. Plus, if you’ve seen ‘The Hollow Crown,’ you’ll know he played Richard III himself. It’s a really neat connection between the actor and one of his most well-known roles.

Tilda Swinton

I was amazed to learn that Tilda Swinton is actually a direct descendant of Robert the Bruce, the famous Scottish king! Researchers discovered she’s 19 generations removed from him – the king who led Scotland through the Wars of Independence. It’s incredible because she can trace her family line back through both her parents, and especially through her father, Sir John Swinton. Apparently, her family has been a significant part of Scottish history for centuries, even going back before the Norman Conquest! It really adds another layer to appreciating her work, knowing her deep connection to Scotland’s past.

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson, known for his role in ‘The Batman,’ is a distant relative of Vlad the Impaler, the infamous 15th-century ruler of Transylvania. Vlad III, historically known as Vlad Dracula, was the inspiration behind the vampire character in Bram Stoker’s novels. Research by Ancestry.com shows the connection through the British royal family. It’s an interesting coincidence, considering Pattinson became famous playing a vampire in the ‘Twilight’ films.

Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes, the actor famous for playing Voldemort in the ‘Harry Potter’ films, is distantly related to King Charles III. They are eighth cousins, both descending from King James II of Scotland. Fiennes comes from an old, aristocratic British family – the Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes – and this connection shows how many well-known British actors have long family histories in the country.

Kyra Sedgwick

Actress Mary McDonnell, known for her role in ‘The Closer’, comes from a historically significant American family, the Sedgwicks. She’s a direct descendant of William Ellery, who signed the Declaration of Independence. Her family also includes Judge Theodore Sedgwick, a former Speaker of the House. Interestingly, she discovered on the show ‘Finding Your Roots’ that she’s distantly related to her husband, Kevin Bacon.

Bill Hader

Bill Hader, the comedian and actor known for ‘Barry,’ recently learned through the show ‘Finding Your Roots’ that he’s a direct descendant of Charlemagne, the famous Frankish king. He’s also related to King Edward I of England – known as Longshanks – as his 40th great-grandson. Hader was surprised to see his family history traced back over 40 generations, connecting him to powerful rulers from medieval Europe.

Clint Eastwood

I was amazed to learn that Clint Eastwood is directly related to one of the very first European settlers in America! He’s a descendant of William Bradford, who was actually on the Mayflower and later became the governor of Plymouth Colony. Bradford was a key leader of the Pilgrims and wrote a famous book about the colony’s history. It’s incredible to think that Eastwood can trace his family back to that original 1620 voyage – he’s part of a really exclusive group of Americans who can!

Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver, famous for playing Ripley in ‘Alien’, has royal roots! She’s a descendant of King Henry I, who ruled England nearly a thousand years ago. King Henry I was the son of William the Conqueror, and the Weaver family’s connection to him links them to the powerful Norman dynasty that dramatically changed England. This royal history adds an interesting dimension to a family already known for contributions to the arts and public service.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie can trace her ancestry back to the French royal family. She’s a direct descendant of King Philip II of France, who ruled from 1180 to 1223 and was known for strengthening the French kingdom. This connection comes through her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who had French-Canadian roots.

Brad Pitt

Similar to his ex-partner, Brad Pitt has royal ancestors going back hundreds of years. He’s a descendant of King Henry II, who ruled England in the 1100s, making him a distant relative of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Genealogists have extensively researched Pitt’s family history, showing connections to both early American pioneers and the British royal family.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift, the popular singer and actress, is related to the renowned poet Emily Dickinson. Researchers at Ancestry.com have discovered they are sixth cousins, separated by several generations. Their common ancestor lived in Connecticut in the 1600s and was one of the area’s first settlers. Swift, known for her roles in movies like ‘Cats’ and ‘Amsterdam’, frequently draws inspiration from literature in her songs and music.

Meghan Markle

Before becoming a member of the British royal family, Meghan Markle was already connected to some famous people from British history. She’s a sixth cousin of Winston Churchill, the former Prime Minister, and a distant relative of the renowned playwright William Shakespeare. Her family history shows a mix of different backgrounds, ultimately linking her to these important figures in England’s past.

Rose Leslie

Rose Leslie, famous for her role in ‘Game of Thrones’, comes from a long line of Scottish and English nobility. She’s a direct descendant of King Charles II, who ruled England in the 1600s. Leslie spent her childhood at Lickleyhead Castle in Aberdeenshire, the historic home of the Leslie family for generations. Her father leads the Clan Leslie, and her mother also shares ancestry with King Charles II.

Dakota Fanning

Dakota Fanning, the actress known for films like ‘War of the Worlds,’ is a very distant relative of the British royal family. Researchers have confirmed she’s a descendant of King Edward III, who reigned in the 1300s, tracing her family history through her mother’s side. This connection means Fanning’s ancestors were part of the powerful Plantagenet dynasty, a family that played a major role in shaping medieval England through its military and legal changes.

Elle Fanning

Elle Fanning, sister of Dakota Fanning, is distantly related to royalty – both sisters can trace their ancestry back to King Edward III. Elle is actually a 22nd great-granddaughter of the medieval king, which makes her a 21st cousin of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. This noble heritage, often referred to as “blue blood,” seems to run in the family and may even be linked to their success in Hollywood.

Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields is famous for having royal ancestors. She’s directly related to King Edward III of England through his son, John of Gaunt, and also has family ties to royal families in France, Italy, and Spain. She explored these connections in detail on the TV show ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal come from a distinguished family with roots in Swedish nobility – the Gyllenhaal family. Their ancestry also traces back to King Edward III of England, connecting them to a large group of celebrities descended from the Plantagenet royal line. Essentially, Maggie’s background combines Swedish aristocratic heritage with English royalty, a connection verified by genealogical studies.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal comes from a surprisingly noble family! He recently revealed that his ancestry traces back to King Edward III and an officially recognized Swedish noble house dating back to the 1600s. This means he’s connected to centuries of European and English royal history, making him one of the few American actors who can definitively claim aristocratic roots.

Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter has a family history deeply connected to British politics and society. Her grandfather, H.H. Asquith, was once Prime Minister of the UK, leading the country from 1908 to 1916. On her mother’s side, she’s descended from a well-known Spanish diplomat, and her family includes numerous members of the British nobility. This distinguished heritage often shines through in the sophisticated image of the ‘Sweeney Todd’ actress.

Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Deschanel, known for her role in ‘New Girl,’ has royal roots! Her family name, Deschanel, comes from a long line of French ancestors who were involved in French politics. It turns out she’s related to Louis IV, a king who ruled in the 10th century, showing her family’s deep history in Europe. Deschanel has frequently discussed her French background and the story behind her family name.

Emily Deschanel

Emily Deschanel, the star of the TV show ‘Bones’, has the same family history as her sister, Zooey. On their father’s side, they can trace their ancestry back to Louis IV, a former King of France. The Deschanel family also includes prominent French figures like Paul Deschanel, who was President of France in 1920. This makes their family history a mix of French royalty from centuries ago and more recent political leaders.

Cary Elwes

Cary Elwes, the star of ‘The Princess Bride,’ comes from a family with a fascinating connection to a famous character in literature. He’s a descendant of John Elwes, a British politician from the 1700s who was notorious for being extremely frugal. Many people believe John Elwes was the main inspiration behind Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol,’ and Elwes has often spoken about this unusual family history.

Alec Baldwin

Actor Alec Baldwin can trace his family history back to the Mayflower, the ship that brought passengers to America in 1620. He’s a descendant of original passengers like John Tilley, his daughter Elizabeth, and John Howland, who famously survived a fall overboard during the voyage. This makes Baldwin part of one of the oldest families in American colonial history, connecting him directly to the very beginnings of the Plymouth Colony.

Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart, the iconic star of ‘Casablanca,’ had ancestors who were passengers on the Mayflower. Similar to Alec Baldwin, his family history led back to John Tilley and John Howland. Bogart, who came from a well-known New York family, was proud of these colonial roots. It’s an interesting contrast to the rugged characters he often played on screen.

Richard Gere

Richard Gere has a remarkable number of ancestors who were aboard the Mayflower, more than most actors in Hollywood. His family history includes key figures from the 1620 voyage like Samuel Fuller, Francis Cooke, and Richard Warren. These men were among the first to establish a lasting settlement in New England, meaning the ‘Pretty Woman’ star’s family has been in America since the earliest days of European settlement.

Johnny Depp

Genealogists have discovered that Johnny Depp and Queen Elizabeth II are distant cousins, sharing a common ancestor in King Edward III. While Depp’s family history includes French, Irish, and German heritage, this royal connection makes him a relative of the entire British royal family.

Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant comes from a remarkably aristocratic family with deep historical ties to the British Isles. He’s a direct descendant of both King Henry VII of England and King James IV of Scotland, and his ancestors include important military leaders and nobles who played significant roles in British history. Essentially, his family background is firmly established within the UK’s long-standing upper class.

Edward Norton

On the show ‘Finding Your Roots’, Edward Norton learned he’s a direct descendant – the 12th great-grandson – of Pocahontas, the famous Native American woman who helped early English settlers at Jamestown. The show also revealed a Civil War veteran in his family history. This discovery connects the actor to a key period in American history, through Pocahontas and her husband, John Rolfe.

Danny Dyer

A particularly memorable episode of the show ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ revealed that actor Danny Dyer has royal ancestors. The ‘EastEnders’ star learned he’s a direct descendant of King Edward III and Thomas Cromwell, a powerful figure in the royal court. Dyer was both shocked and amused by the discovery, as he had no idea about his noble family history. This surprising connection links a beloved actor, known for his working-class background, to the upper classes of the Tudor and Plantagenet periods.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton, known for her roles in movies like ‘House of Wax’, has a surprising connection to the British royal family. She’s a very distant cousin of Queen Elizabeth II – they share a common great-great-great-… grandfather in King Henry II. Her mother even used a DNA test to confirm this family history, which revealed links to other famous people from the past. Hilton, a well-known actress and socialite, often plays up this royal connection as part of her celebrity image.

Riley Keough

Riley Keough is the granddaughter of Elvis Presley, the famous singer known as the “King of Rock and Roll.” Elvis wasn’t just a musician; he was a hugely important figure of the 20th century who had a big impact on culture around the world. As an actress in films like ‘The Lodge’ and ‘Daisy Jones & the Six,’ Keough carries on the legacy of this cultural icon, and her family story is deeply woven into the fabric of American pop culture.

Courteney Cox

Courteney Cox, known for her role on ‘Friends,’ recently learned about her ancestry on the show ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ She discovered she’s a direct descendant of William the Conqueror, the first Norman king of England who ruled in the 11th century. The research also showed a connection to Lord Thomas Berkeley, a knight from the 1300s who played a part in the imprisonment of King Edward II. This means the American actress is related to figures involved in some of the most intense conflicts for power in British history.

Share your thoughts on these surprising celebrity ancestors in the comments.

2026-01-27 05:07