Seasons & Episodes
Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick, Jr.
Their European immigrant ancestors blazed unconventional trails in America, from capturing British ships for the America
John Lewis and Cory Booker
In this episode, we feature two African American politicians from different generations and opposite backgrounds. John L
Barbara Walters and Geoffrey Canada
What's in a name? Well, a lot, at least when it comes to piecing together your family history. For former slaves, choosi
Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon
What do Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick have in common? They are both famous actors and both descend from prominent Americ
Rick Warren, Angela Buchdahl and Yasir Qadhi
Pastor Rick Warren, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl and Sheik Yasir Qadhi are of three different faiths, all with complex family h
Robert Downey, Jr. and Maggie Gyllenhaal
Many American descend from a dense soups of European ethnicities; we could call them mutts, with ancestral roots across
Samuel L. Jackson, Condoleezza Rice and Ruth Simmons
Samuel L. Jackson, Condoleezza Rice and Brown University President Ruth Simmons have each climbed to the pinnacle of the
Martha Stewart, Margaret Cho and Sanjay Gupta
The three guests in this episode are all children of first- or second-generation immigrants and share the peculiar burde
John Legend and Wanda Sykes
Most African Americans struggle to trace their ancestors beyond Emancipation; slavery erased names and family ties with
Adrian Grenier, Michelle Rodriguez and Linda Chavez
Michelle Rodriguez, Adrian Grenier and Linda Chavez all share Spanish colonial roots, yet each views their own identity
In Search of our Fathers
Three famous guests — Stephen King, Gloria Reuben and Courtney B. Vance — know almost nothing about their fathers’
Born Champions
Billie Jean King, Derek Jeter and Rebecca Lobo learn about their family histories. King discovers that her grandmother w
Our American Storytellers
Ken Burns learns that his Southern ancestors include Confederate soldiers and a slave owner; Anderson Cooper learns that
Roots of Freedom
Actor Ben Affleck discovers his mother's past as a Freedom Rider in 1964, NAACP President Ben Jealous learns how far his
The Melting Pot
Chef Tom Colicchio learns the hardships his family endured in Northern Italy; chef Ming Tsai traces his roots back 2,000
We Come From People
Nas learns about his slave ancestors; Angela Bassett discovers that her family history includes an emancipation story; a
Our People, Our Traditions
Tony Kushner learns how the Holocaust impacted his ancestors; Carole King delves into the origins of her family name; an
The British Invasion
Deepak Chopra, Sally Field and Sting’s ancestry demonstrates the extraordinary influence of the British Empire during
Ancient Roots
Tina Fey, George Stephanopoulos and David Sedaris, three quintessential voices in American life, descend from ancestors
Decoding Our Past Through DNA
Secrets encoded in their genomes challenge these guests’ ideas about their families’ histories and their identities
The Stories We Tell
Discover the unsolved mysteries behind the family stories of political organizer Donna Brazile, actor Ty Burrell and art
The Irish Factor
Explore the shared Irish ancestry of three powerful social commentators of our times, Bill Maher, Soledad O'Brien, and B
In Search Of Freedom
Learn how the ancestors of Maya Rudolph, Shonda Rhimes and Keenen Ivory Wayans struggled for freedom, and how each of th
Tragedy + Time = Comedy
Uncover a history of tragedies and triumphs in the families of three of America’s funniest men–Jimmy Kimmel, Norman
Visionaries
Discover how the ancestors of business mogul Richard Branson and architects Maya Lin and Frank Gehry took audacious risk
War Stories
Patricia Arquette, Senator John McCain, and Julianne Moore explore their genealogical heritage with Henry Louis Gates, J
Family Reunions
Uncover family mysteries about two legends of hip hop, Sean Combs and LL Cool J, through the use of DNA technology, whic
The Pioneers
Discover how Neil Patrick Harris, Gloria Steinem and Sandra Cisneros are connected to pioneers who broke new ground and
The Long Way Home
Discover how actress Julianna Margulies, author Azar Nafisi and chef Lidia Bastianich are bound together by their ancest
Maps of Stars
Learn how Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow, who last shared the screen together in 1969, also share a history of tragic dea
The Impression
Join Larry David and Bernie Sanders, who learn they have more in common than they thought.
Unfamiliar Kin
Guests: Carly Simon, Christopher Walken, and more. In this episode, three guests each learn about a grandparent whose re
Puritans and Pioneers
Guests: Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen and William H. Macy. Three mainstays of modern-day Hollywood discover family legaci
The Vanguard
Guests: Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ava DuVernay and Janet Mock. Three guests who have helped to redefine Black America in the las
Immigrant Nation
Guests: Scarlett Johansson, Paul Rudd and John Turturro. In this episode, three guests explore the tremendous challenges
Black Like Me
Guests: Bryant Gumbel, Tonya Lewis-Lee and Suzanne Malveaux. Three African-American guests delve deep into their family
Children of the Revolution
Guests: Lupita Nyong’o, Carmelo Anthony and Ana Navarro. Three guests explore how their family trees were shaped by po
Relatives We Never Knew We Had
Guests: Gaby Hoffmann and Téa Leoni. Two guests whose lives have been shaped by family mysteries are introduced to biol
Southern Roots
Guests: Questlove, Dr. Phil and Charlayne Hunter-Gault. Three guests of disparate backgrounds dig into their Southern ro
Funny Business
Guests: Amy Schumer and more. Guests who have found fame mining their family stories for comedy learn about ancestors wh
Grandparents and Other Strangers
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actor Andy Samberg and author George R. R. Martin answer some family mysteries when DNA det
Mystery Men
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actors Felicity Huffman and Michael K. Williams discover a wealth of hidden family history.
Reporting on the Reporters
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shows journalists Christiane Amanpour, Ann Curry and Lisa Ling that the stories within their own
Dreaming of a New Land
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores with Marisa Tomei, Sheryl Sandberg and Kal Penn the tremendous challenges faced by their
Freedom Tales
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves deep into the roots of two African-American guests, actor S. Epatha Merkerson and athlete
Roots in Politics
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the diverse family histories of politicians Paul Ryan, Tulsi Gabbard and Marco Rubio. Th
No Laughing Matter
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shows comedians Seth Meyers, Tig Notaro and Sarah Silverman that their family trees are filled wi
Hard Times
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family stories of filmmaker Michael Moore and actors Laura Linney and Chloë Sevigny
The Eye of the Beholder
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shares the family histories of director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, iconoclastic performance artist
All in the Family
The family stories of actor Ty Burrell, and radio host Joe Madison. Also a look at how a summer camp for children is usi
Hollywood Royalty
Actresses Isabella Rossellini, Anjelica Huston and Mia Farrow explore their family histories, generations beyond their c
Off the Farm
Actors Melissa McCarthy and Eric Stonestreet retrace their ancestral journeys.
Homecomings
Sterling K. Brown, Jon Batiste and Sasheer Zamata learn about the unexpected places their ancestors called home.
This Land is My Land
The unexpected family trees of Queen Latifah and Jeffrey Wright challenge preconceptions about America's past.
Beyond the Pale
Exploring the Jewish heritages of actor Jeff Goldblum, radio host Terry Gross and comic Marc Maron.
Secrets & Lies
Sigourney Weaver, Justina Machado and Amy Ryan explore their ancestry.
Science Pioneers
Tracing the family histories of scientists Harold Varmus, Francis Collins and Shirley Ann Jackson.
Slave Trade
Questlove, S. Epatha Merkerson and Ava DuVernay explore the unexpected places where their ancestors were scattered by sl
Italian Roots
Marisa Tomei, Jimmy Kimmel and John Turturro learn about the sacrifices their ancestors made to bring their families fro
Criminal Kind
The family histories of Laura Linney, Lisa Ling and Soledad O'Brien reveal tricksters, scoundrels and criminals.
Fashion's Roots
Guests: Diane von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez, RuPaul. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. steps into the world of fashion and mee
DNA Mysteries
Guests: Téa Leoni, Joe Madison. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uses DNA detective work to solve mysteries in the family trees o
War Stories
Guests: Kehinde Wiley, Julianne Moore, Bill Hader. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of actor Julianne Moore, co
Flight
Guests: Lupita Nyong’o, Lidia Bastianich, Scarlett Johansson. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets actors Scarlett Johansson a
Breaking Silences
Guests: Gayle King, Jordan Peele, Issa Rae. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family secrets of journalist Gayle King,
Coming to America
Guests: Nancy Pelosi, Norah O'Donnell, Zac Posen. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, news anchor N
To the Manor Born
Guests: Glenn Close and John Waters. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discovers the privileged lineages of Glenn Close and John Wa
The Mole Agent
Guests: Andy Cohen and Nina Totenberg. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces Andy Cohen and Nina Totenberg to their survivor
No Irish Need Apply
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of actor Jane Lynch and comedian Jim Gaffigan, revealing the Irish American ex
The Shirts on Their Backs
Guests: Tony Shalhoub and Christopher Meloni. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals the immigrant roots of actors Tony Shalhou
Write My Name in the Book of Life
Guests: Pharrell Williams and Kasi Lemmons. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps musician Pharrell Williams and filmmaker Kasi
Country Roots
Guests: Clint Black and Rosanne Cash. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers the remarkably diverse backgrounds of country mus
The New World
Guests: John Lithgow and Maria Hinojosa. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces ancestors of actor John Lithgow and journalist M
Anchored to the Past
Guests: Gretchen Carlson and Don Lemon. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. examines how journalists Gretchen Carlson and Don Lemon
On Broadway
Guests: Audra MacDonald and Mandy Patinkin. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. investigates the family histories of Broadway stars
Laughing on the Inside
Guests: Lewis Black and Roy Wood, Jr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. provides comedians Lewis Black and Roy Wood, Jr. with acco
Hidden in the Genes
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps Rebecca Hall and Lee Daniels solve family mysteries through DNA detective work, illuminatin
Children of Exile
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. retraces the ancestral journeys of David Chang and Raúl Esparza, whose families fled their homel
Activists Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. welcomes Brittany Packnett Cunningham and Anita Hill, two guests who made profound sacrifices for
Things we Dont Discuss
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actors Pamela Adlon and Kathryn Hahn explore scandals and secrets hidden within their roots
Mexican Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the deep Mexican roots of talk show host Mario Lopez and comedian Melissa Villaseñor, u
Fighters
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. sits down with Terry Crews and Tony Danza, both guests who overcame adversity, to discover they a
Incredible Journeys
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps John Leguizamo and Lena Waithe retrace the paths of their immigrant ancestors who crossed c
Songs of the Past
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. accompanies Broadway stars Leslie Odom, Jr. and Nathan Lane as they meet a cast of inspiring ance
Watchmen
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides Regina King and Damon Lindelof, the creative forces behind a visionary television series,
Where Did We Come From?
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. journeys with Erin Burnett, Amy Carlson and André Leon Talley, three guests from diverse backgro
Hidden Kin
Henry Louis Gates explores the remarkable roots of actors Edward Norton and Julia Roberts—using DNA analysis and genea
Salem's Lot
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes actors Claire Danes and Jeff Daniels on a journey into their roots, uncovering primal scene
Secret Lives
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps comedians Carol Burnett and Niecy Nash decode scandals hidden within their roots, exposing
Far From Home
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the family trees of pop icon Cyndi Lauper and actors Jamie Chung and Danny Trejo, exploring
Rising From the Ashes
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the roots of actors Brian Cox and Viola Davis, uncovering records from workhouses in Scotl
Family: Lost and Found
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uses DNA detective work to solve family mysteries for actor Joe Manganiello and football star Ton
Chosen
Henry Louis Gates helps actors David Duchovny and Richard Kind trace their roots from Jewish communities in Eastern Euro
And Still I Rise
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals the unexpected family trees of activist Angela Y. Davis and statesman Jeh Johnson, using
Anchormen
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces trail-blazing journalists Jim Acosta and Van Jones to the ancestors who blazed a trail
Out of the Past
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers the lost roots of actors Billy Crudup and Tamera Mowry-Housley, traveling back generatio
Born To Sing
Singers Ciara and Alanis Morissette examine their family histories.
Forever Young
Actors Valerie Bertinelli and Brendan Fraser explore their family histories
Fathers and Sons
Actors LeVar Burton and Wes Studi, two men who grew up without their fathers, explore their family histories.
Buried Secrets
Singer Sammy Hagar and actor Ed O'Neill uncover their roots and discover deep family secrets.
Hold the Laughter
Actor Bob Odenkirk and comic Iliza Shlesinger explore their family histories and learn about relatives who took great ri
Far and Away
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the extraordinarily diverse roots of journalist Sunny Hostin and actor Jesse Williams—
The Brick Wall Falls
HenryLouis Gates, Jr. helps musician Dionne Warwick and actor Danielle Brooks break down barriers imposed by the slave s
Mean Streets
Comic Tracy Morgan and actor Anthony Ramos, both native New Yorkers, map their family trees.
In the Blood
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of actor Michael Douglas & writer-director Lena Dunham. Both are the children
"Viewers Like You"
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. solves mysteries for 3 everyday Americans chosen to be guests.
Larger Than Life
Research into the ancestry of singer Lea Salonga and actress Amanda Seyfried reveals relatives who survived heart-wrench
La Famiglia
Exploring the Italian roots of television host Joy Behar and actor Michael Imperioli.
Stranger Than Fiction
Traveling across China and the American South to reveal the ancestry of novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove.
Dreamers One and All
Exploring the ancestry of actress Sharon Stone and model Chrissy Teigen includes travelling across Europe and Thailand.
Family Recipes
Exploring the ancestry of chefs José Andrés and Sean Sherman.
Latin Roots
Tracing the family trees of musician Rubén Blades and journalist Natalie Morales.
The Ties That Bind
Actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard learn about their family histories, which includes stories of soldiers, settlers and
The Butterfly Effect
Actresses Debra Messing and Melanie Lynskey explore the stories of their ancestors whose bold decisions reshaped their f
Moving on Up
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lonnie Bunch - two African Americans trace their ancestors, who overca
Finding My Roots
Family mysteries: actor Laurence Fishburne and scholar Henry Lewis Gates, Jr. peer into their mysterious family roots us
American Dreams
America Ferrera and Darren Criss uncover their immigrant roots.
Great Migrations
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces rapper Wiz Khalifa and actor Sanaa Lathan to ancestors who left the American South, bo
Caribbean Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the Caribbean roots of actors Liza Colón-Zayas and Delroy Lindo—meeting ancestors who
The Road We Took
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actor Lizzie Caplan and comedian Hasan Minhaj to ancestors whose brave decisions forev
Love & Basketball
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the family trees of basketball stars Brittney Griner and Chris Paul—uncovering ancestors w
Westward Bound
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of talk show host Sara Haines and playwright Tracy Letts from the American west to
Family Harmonies
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of musicians Lizzo and Flea—traveling across the globe to find stories of the an
Artistic Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of director Spike Lee and actor Kristin Chenoweth, meeting ancestors whose creativ
Song of the South
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family secrets of Danielle Deadwyler and Rhiannon Giddens, uncovering stories their
Rags to Riches
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Kate Burton and media mogul Barry Diller, meeting ancestors who made huge
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