Celebrity Genealogy, Famous family connections, It’s Genealogy Day and, to get a jump-start on researching your own kith and kin (á la these popular shows on PBS and NBC), take a look at the family ties of some famous names.
Al Roker, While Roker has made a career out of being an affable morning person, his second cousin keeps rock-star hours. Do you know who’s Roker’s rocker cousin? Lenny Kravitz,
Barack Obama, The president has a half-sister from Indonesia, a mother from the heartland and a father from Africa. But his eclectic family doesn’t stop there; he’s got ties in D.C., too. Do you know who’s his political cousin? Dick Cheney Barack Obama + Dick Cheney + 8th cousins, Barack Obama + Brad Pitt + 9th cousins,
Eva Longoria, This prime-time star hails from Texas and embraces her Mexican roots. But her extended family tree reveals an international twist. Do you know who’s her cousin of Asian descent? Yo-Yo Ma, Yo-Yo Ma 2011 Presidential Medal of Freedom, Eva Longoria + Obama reelection campaign,
Gabrielle Giffords, The former U.S. representative has a husband who has traveled to the stars and a second cousin who is herself a star.
George W. Bush, It’s common knowledge that the nation’s 43^rd president took up the “family business,” filling in for his father. But tracing a family tree shows that there was another president in his bloodline. Do you know which former president was related? Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln + seventh cousin, five times removed + George W. Bush, distant cousins + Dick Cheney + Barack Obama + George Bush, Princess Diana + Bush + 11th cousin, twice removed,
Hillary Clinton Secretary of State Clinton has an itinerary that’s chock-full of globetrotting, much like her movie star distant relative. Do you know who’s her A-list cousin? Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton + ninth cousin, twice removed + Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton + 10th cousin + Madonna,
Kate Middleton, Middleton may run in high-profile circles across the pond, but she’s linked to a VIP in the family stateside, too. Do you know who’s her funny American relative? Ellen De Generes, Ellen De Generes + Kate Middleton + 15th cousins, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge,
Macaulay Culkin, Culkin rose to fame starring in family fare and it’s well known that his siblings followed in his footsteps. But there’s another family tie of note. Do you know who’s his TV star aunt? Bonnie Bedelia,
Maya Rudolph, The “SNL” alum and “Bridesmaids” star loves breaking into song. This isn’t surprising, when you consider she had a singer for a mom. Do you know who was her songbird mother? Minnie Riperton, “Loving You” Minnie Riperton, Minnie Riperton + breast cancer,
Miguel Ferrer, Ferrer is the son of Puerto Rican film star José Ferrer. But his mother was a stateside star in her own right. Do you know who was his songstress mom? Rosemary Clooney, Rosemary Clooney “Come On-a My House”,
Norah Jones, The Grammy Award-winning vocalist has music in her blood her father is an international music legend. Who’s her musician father? Ravi Shankar, Geethali Norah Jones Shankar, Little Broken Hearts Norah Jones,
Vince Carter, This NBA player who’s known for slam-dunking and, more recently, stately dining has faced family feuds on the court. Vince Carter hosts Obama dinner, Do you know who’s his ball-playing second cousin? Tracy McGrady,
Warren Beatty, Beatty may have come from a family of educators, but the Oscar winner and his esteemed sibling were both bitten by the acting bug. Do you know Who’s his actress big sister? Shirley Maclaine, Shirley Maclaine + Downton Abbey Season 3,