Finding Your Roots
Overview
Acclaimed Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides individuals on a profound journey to uncover ancestral connections that have been obscured over time. With the assistance of expert genealogists, he meticulously traces the historical records of family lineages. Additionally, Gates collaborates with top geneticists to analyze DNA, enabling participants to explore their heritage that spans millennia. Each episode reveals the rich tapestry of personal histories, offering viewers a moving glimpse into the lives and cultures of their forebears.
Episodes
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1
Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick, Jr.
Harry Connick, Jr. and Branford Marsalis share a profound bond rooted in their childhood experiences in New Orleans, where their European immigrant an...
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1
The Return
Paul successfully tracks down his son, Scott, at an orphanage, but he struggles to gain the boy’s confidence.
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2
Like Father, Like Son
While fleeing from Fox in a recently acquired used car, Paul and Scott come across a woman struggling with her vehicle. They decide to lend a hand, un...
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2
John Lewis and Cory Booker
This episode highlights two African American politicians from distinct backgrounds and generations. John Lewis, who was raised in a sharecropping fami...
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3
Fatal Flaw
When their truck breaks down in the desert, Paul and Scott find shelter at a woman’s experimental aircraft facility. However, they soon realize that...
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3
Barbara Walters and Geoffrey Canada
A name holds significant weight, especially when tracing family roots. For former slaves, adopting a last name represented a crucial step towards free...
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4
Blue Lights
Scott experiments with the mysterious abilities of the blue sphere, which leads to a small-town sheriff claiming he has spotted a UFO. As a result, Pa...
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4
Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon
Title: Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon Plot: What connects Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick? Beyond their status as renowned actors, both hail from distin...
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5
Rick Warren, Angela Buchdahl and Yasir Qadhi
Pastor Rick Warren, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, and Sheik Yasir Qadhi each represent different faiths, their intricate family backgrounds deeply influencin...
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5
Best Buddies
While Paul and Scott are out, they run into a couple from Paul’s past. To their shock, the wife announces she still has feelings for the real Paul F...
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6
Robert Downey, Jr. and Maggie Gyllenhaal
A significant number of Americans trace their heritage to a diverse mix of European ethnic backgrounds, often referred to as "mutts," with roots spann...
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6
Secrets
Paul and Scott's quest to find Jenny Hayden takes them to a psychiatric facility, where they encounter a woman who could provide crucial information. ...
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7
Samuel L. Jackson, Condoleezza Rice and Ruth Simmons
Samuel L. Jackson, Condoleezza Rice, and Ruth Simmons, the president of Brown University, have all reached the heights of their careers. However, they...
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7
One for the Road
Tired of constantly fleeing, Paul and Scott begin to relish the stability of their current location. However, when Paul realizes it’s time to leave ...
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8
Martha Stewart, Margaret Cho and Sanjay Gupta
In this episode, three guests, each children of first- or second-generation immigrants, explore the unique challenges tied to their heritage. The narr...
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8
Peregrine
When Paul encounters a wounded peregrine falcon, he puts his own safety on the line to find a veterinarian who can help.
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9
John Legend and Wanda Sykes
Title: John Legend and Wanda Sykes Plot: Many African Americans find it challenging to connect with their heritage prior to Emancipation, as slavery ...
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9
Society's Pet
Paul brings Scott to meet his foster father’s sister, a wealthy widow holding a $10,000 inheritance meant for the boy. She offers the money—but on...
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10
Adrian Grenier, Michelle Rodriguez and Linda Chavez
Michelle Rodriguez, Adrian Grenier, and Linda Chavez each have Spanish colonial heritage, but their perspectives on their identities vary significantl...
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10
Fever
With Agent Fox reassigned, Paul and Scott enjoy a rare moment of peace. But their fragile calm shatters when a simple cold turns dangerous for Paul. W...
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11
The Gift
Paul gets an unexpected letter from his biological mother, urging him to come back to his hometown for Christmas. Excited yet apprehensive, he makes t...
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12
The System
A routine traffic stop leads to Paul’s arrest when a computer scan uncovers an outdated contempt citation. This citation stems from an incident invo...
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13
Appearances
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14
The Probe
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15
Dusty
During their trip through Las Vegas, Paul and Scott encounter a woman and invite her to join them. Unbeknownst to them, she takes off with their car w...
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16
Barriers
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17
Grifters
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18
The Wedding
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19
Fathers and Sons
As Paul and Scott walk together, they notice a young boy trailing behind them. To their surprise, the boy introduces himself as Paul's son, revealing ...
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20
Starscape (1)
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21
Starscape (2)
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22
The Test
Paul responds to an ad seeking a "pearl diver," only to find out upon arriving at the diner that it's actually a dishwasher position. Meanwhile, Scott...
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1
In Search of our Fathers
Title: Uncovering Our Roots Plot: Three notable personalities — Stephen King, Gloria Reuben, and Courtney B. Vance — embark on a journey to explo...
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2
Born Champions
Billie Jean King, Derek Jeter, and Rebecca Lobo delve into their family backgrounds. King uncovers that her grandmother was orphaned, while Jeter expl...
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3
Our American Storytellers
Ken Burns discovers that some of his Southern forebears were Confederate soldiers and a slave owner. Meanwhile, Anderson Cooper uncovers that a relati...
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4
Roots of Freedom
Title: Roots of Freedom Plot: In this enlightening episode, actor Ben Affleck uncovers the remarkable story of his mother’s involvement as a Freedo...
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5
The Melting Pot
Chef Tom Colicchio discovers the struggles his family faced in Northern Italy. Meanwhile, chef Ming Tsai embarks on a journey to uncover his ancestry ...
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6
We Come From People
Title: Our Roots Run Deep Plot: Nas uncovers the history of his enslaved ancestors, gaining insight into their struggles. Meanwhile, Angela Bassett f...
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7
Our People, Our Traditions
Tony Kushner uncovers the profound effects of the Holocaust on his lineage, while Carole King investigates the roots of her family name. Meanwhile, Al...
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8
The British Invasion
The family histories of Deepak Chopra, Sally Field, and Sting reveal the remarkable impact of the British Empire in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
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9
Ancient Roots
Tina Fey, George Stephanopoulos, and David Sedaris, three prominent figures in American culture, trace their roots back to Greek immigrants who arrive...
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10
Decoding Our Past Through DNA
Title: Unraveling Our Heritage Through DNA Plot: In this episode, the guests confront hidden truths within their DNA that reshape their understanding...
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1
The Stories We Tell
Join political organizer Donna Brazile, actor Ty Burrell, and artist Kara Walker as they delve into the unresolved mysteries of their family histories...
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2
The Irish Factor
Title: The Irish Connection Plot: Delve into the common Irish heritage that links three influential voices of contemporary society: Bill Maher, Soled...
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3
In Search Of Freedom
Discover the journeys of Maya Rudolph, Shonda Rhimes, and Keenen Ivory Wayans as they delve into their ancestors' battles for freedom. Through this ex...
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4
Tragedy + Time = Comedy
Explore the poignant stories of laughter and hardship in the lives of three of America's beloved comedians—Jimmy Kimmel, Norman Lear, and Bill Hader...
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5
Visionaries
Explore the bold choices made by the forebears of business tycoon Richard Branson and renowned architects Maya Lin and Frank Gehry. Their daring decis...
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6
War Stories
Patricia Arquette, Senator John McCain, and Julianne Moore delve into their family histories alongside Henry Louis Gates, Jr. as they uncover the fasc...
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7
Family Reunions
Delve into the family secrets surrounding hip hop icons Sean Combs and LL Cool J as DNA technology brings to light revelations that challenge their co...
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8
The Pioneers
Explore the connections between Neil Patrick Harris, Gloria Steinem, and Sandra Cisneros and the trailblazers who laid the foundation for their contem...
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9
The Long Way Home
Explore the connections between actress Julianna Margulies, author Azar Nafisi, and chef Lidia Bastianich, as they delve into the profound and univers...
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10
Maps of Stars
Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow, who appeared together on screen for the last time in 1969, both have a deep and painful history marked by tragic losses...
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1
The Impression
Title: Common Ground Plot: In this episode, Larry David teams up with Bernie Sanders, discovering surprising similarities between their worlds. As th...
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2
Unfamiliar Kin
In this episode, Carly Simon, Christopher Walken, and others delve into the hidden histories of their grandparents, uncovering identities that were pr...
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3
Puritans and Pioneers
Title: Ancestors and Adventurers Plot: Featuring guests Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, and William H. Macy, three iconic figures from contemporary Hol...
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4
The Vanguard
In this episode, guests Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ava DuVernay, and Janet Mock, three influential figures who have significantly shaped Black America over the...
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5
Immigrant Nation
Scarlett Johansson, Paul Rudd, and John Turturro join the episode as they delve into the significant hardships endured by their immigrant ancestors. E...
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6
Black Like Me
Bryant Gumbel, Tonya Lewis-Lee, and Suzanne Malveaux, three prominent African-American figures, explore their ancestral backgrounds. As they dig into ...
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7
Children of the Revolution
Lupita Nyong’o, Carmelo Anthony, and Ana Navarro join together to delve into their family histories, uncovering how political strife and violence ha...
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8
Relatives We Never Knew We Had
Gaby Hoffmann and Téa Leoni, two individuals whose personal journeys have been influenced by enigmatic family histories, embark on an emotional explo...
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9
Southern Roots
Title: Southern Heritage Plot: Featuring: Questlove, Dr. Phil, and Charlayne Hunter-Gault. These three guests, each with unique histories, explore th...
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10
Funny Business
Amy Schumer and other guests, renowned for turning their family histories into comedic gold, delve into the lives of their ancestors who faced signifi...
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1
Grandparents and Other Strangers
Title: Grandparents and Other Strangers Plot: In this intriguing episode, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. joins forces with actor Andy Samberg and writer Geor...
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2
Mystery Men
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides Felicity Huffman and Michael K. Williams as they uncover a treasure trove of family history. Having both grown up with l...
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3
Reporting on the Reporters
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes journalists Christiane Amanpour, Ann Curry, and Lisa Ling on a journey to explore their family histories, revealing that ...
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4
Dreaming of a New Land
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. joins Marisa Tomei, Sheryl Sandberg, and Kal Penn as they delve into the significant struggles endured by their immigrant ances...
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5
Freedom Tales
Title: Freedom Tales Plot: Henry Louis Gates, Jr. embarks on an exploration of the ancestral backgrounds of two distinguished African-American gues...
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6
Roots in Politics
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the rich family backgrounds of politicians Paul Ryan, Tulsi Gabbard, and Marco Rubio. As he uncovers their ancestra...
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7
No Laughing Matter
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes comedians Seth Meyers, Tig Notaro, and Sarah Silverman on a journey through their family histories, uncovering the challe...
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8
Hard Times
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the ancestral histories of filmmaker Michael Moore and actors Laura Linney and Chloë Sevigny, uncovering the strug...
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9
The Eye of the Beholder
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the ancestral backgrounds of filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu, avant-garde performance artist Marina Abramović, and ...
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10
All in the Family
Title: Family Ties Plot: Actor Ty Burrell shares heartfelt family anecdotes alongside radio host Joe Madison. The episode also explores a unique summ...
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1
Hollywood Royalty
Title: Hollywood Heritage Plot: In this captivating episode, renowned actresses Isabella Rossellini, Anjelica Huston, and Mia Farrow delve into their...
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2
Off the Farm
Melissa McCarthy and Eric Stonestreet embark on a quest to explore their family histories, delving into their ancestral roots.
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3
Homecomings
Title: Homecomings Plot: Sterling K. Brown, Jon Batiste, and Sasheer Zamata embark on a journey to uncover the surprising locations that shaped their...
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4
This Land is My Land
Queen Latifah and Jeffrey Wright uncover surprising aspects of their family histories, prompting a reevaluation of commonly held beliefs about America...
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5
Beyond the Pale
Delving into the Jewish backgrounds of actor Jeff Goldblum, radio personality Terry Gross, and comedian Marc Maron.
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6
Secrets & Lies
Title: Hidden Truths Plot: Sigourney Weaver, Justina Machado, and Amy Ryan embark on a journey to uncover their family histories. As they delve int...
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7
Science Pioneers
Exploring the ancestral backgrounds of scientists Harold Varmus, Francis Collins, and Shirley Ann Jackson reveals the rich tapestry of their family hi...
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8
Slave Trade
Title: Legacy of the Past Plot: Questlove, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Ava DuVernay embark on a journey to uncover the surprising locations where their ...
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9
Italian Roots
Title: Italian Heritage Plot: Marisa Tomei, Jimmy Kimmel, and John Turturro delve into the stories of their forebears, uncovering the challenges an...
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10
Criminal Kind
Title: Criminal Kind Plot: Laura Linney, Lisa Ling, and Soledad O'Brien delve into their family legacies, uncovering a tapestry woven with con arti...
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11
Fashion's Roots
Title: Fashion's Origins Plot: Featured Guests: Diane von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez, RuPaul. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. enters the vibrant realm of ...
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12
DNA Mysteries
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. employs his DNA sleuthing skills to uncover family secrets for actor Téa Leoni and radio host Joe Madison, revealing ancestors...
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13
War Stories
In this episode, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the heritage of actor Julianne Moore, comedian Bill Hader, and artist Kehinde Wiley. He uncovers t...
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14
Flight
Title: Flight Plot: In this episode, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. engages with actress Scarlett Johansson, actress Lupita Nyong’o, and chef Lidia Bastian...
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15
Breaking Silences
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the family histories of journalist Gayle King, filmmaker Jordan Peele, and comedian Issa Rae. As he uncovers their ...
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16
Coming to America
Title: Arriving in America Plot: Participants: Nancy Pelosi, Norah O'Donnell, Zac Posen. Historian Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides Congresswoman Nancy ...
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1
To the Manor Born
In this episode, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the fascinating family histories of guests Glenn Close and John Waters, uncovering their impressive a...
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2
The Mole Agent
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. welcomes guests Andy Cohen and Nina Totenberg as they embark on a journey to discover their ancestral roots. Together, they del...
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3
No Irish Need Apply
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the heritage of actor Jane Lynch and comedian Jim Gaffigan, uncovering the Irish American narrative woven through t...
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4
The Shirts on Their Backs
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers the immigrant backgrounds of actors Tony Shalhoub and Christopher Meloni, shedding light on their ancestors who journe...
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5
Write My Name in the Book of Life
Title: Inscribe My Legacy in the Book of Life Plot: Featuring guests Pharrell Williams and Kasi Lemmons. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides musician Phar...
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6
Country Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the fascinating and varied histories of country music legends Clint Black and Rosanne Cash, revealing the rich tape...
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7
The New World
Title: The New World Plot: Featuring: John Lithgow and Maria Hinojosa. In this episode, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the rich ancestral roots of ...
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8
Anchored to the Past
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the journeys of journalists Gretchen Carlson and Don Lemon, highlighting how they navigated and triumphed over biases ...
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9
On Broadway
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the family backgrounds of Broadway icons Audra MacDonald and Mandy Patinkin, uncovering the challenges faced by the...
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10
Laughing on the Inside
Title: Finding Humor in the Past In this episode, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. invites comedians Lewis Black and Roy Wood, Jr. to explore their family hist...
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1
Hidden in the Genes
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. assists Rebecca Hall and Lee Daniels in uncovering family secrets through the art of DNA investigation, shedding light on their...
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2
Children of Exile
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. invites Brittany Packnett Cunningham and Anita Hill, two individuals who have dedicated their lives to the fight for social jus...
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3
Activists Roots
Title: Activists Roots Plot: In this episode, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family histories of David Chang and Raúl Esparza, who embarked on ...
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4
Things we Dont Discuss
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides actors Pamela Adlon and Kathryn Hahn as they delve into the scandals and hidden secrets of their family histories. Throu...
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5
Mexican Roots
Title: Mexican Ancestry Plot: Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the rich Mexican heritage of television host Mario Lopez and comedian Melissa Villas...
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6
Fighters
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. engages in a conversation with Terry Crews and Tony Danza, two guests who have triumphed over challenges in their lives. As the...
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7
Incredible Journeys
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides John Leguizamo and Lena Waithe as they explore the journeys of their immigrant forebears, who navigated vast distances a...
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8
Songs of the Past
Title: Melodies of Heritage Plot: Join Henry Louis Gates, Jr. as he guides Broadway luminaries Leslie Odom, Jr. and Nathan Lane on a journey to uncov...
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9
Watchmen
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. leads Regina King and Damon Lindelof, the brilliant minds behind an innovative TV series, on a journey of discovery where they ...
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10
Where Did We Come From?
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes a journey alongside Erin Burnett, Amy Carlson, and André Leon Talley, three guests representing different backgrounds. T...
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1
Hidden Kin
Title: Unveiling Ancestry Plot: Henry Louis Gates delves into the fascinating heritage of actors Edward Norton and Julia Roberts. Through a blend of ...
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2
Salem's Lot
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides actors Claire Danes and Jeff Daniels as they explore their ancestry, revealing pivotal moments from America's history. T...
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3
Secret Lives
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides comedians Carol Burnett and Niecy Nash as they uncover long-buried family scandals, revealing the secrets their ancestor...
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4
Far From Home
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the family histories of pop superstar Cyndi Lauper and actors Jamie Chung and Danny Trejo. He investigates archival...
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5
Rising From the Ashes
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the heritage of actors Brian Cox and Viola Davis, delving into historical documents from Scottish workhouses and South...
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6
Family: Lost and Found
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the world of DNA analysis to unravel family secrets for actor Joe Manganiello and football legend Tony Gonzalez. Th...
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7
Chosen
Henry Louis Gates guides actors David Duchovny and Richard Kind as they explore their ancestral ties to Jewish communities in Eastern Europe and their...
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8
And Still I Rise
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers surprising genealogies for activist Angela Y. Davis and statesman Jeh Johnson. Through DNA analysis and previously unc...
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9
Anchormen
Title: Anchormen Plot: Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides pioneering reporters Jim Acosta and Van Jones on a remarkable journey to connect with their fore...
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10
Out of the Past
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the ancestral histories of actors Billy Crudup and Tamera Mowry-Housley, tracing their family lines back through th...
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1
Born To Sing
Title: Destined to Perform Plot: Vocalists Ciara and Alanis Morissette delve into their ancestral backgrounds, uncovering the stories that shaped the...
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2
Forever Young
Title: Eternal Youth Plot: Valerie Bertinelli and Brendan Fraser delve into their ancestral roots, uncovering fascinating stories and connections fr...
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3
Fathers and Sons
Title: Fathers and Sons Plot: LeVar Burton and Wes Studi, both of whom navigated their childhoods without the presence of their fathers, embark on a ...
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4
Buried Secrets
Musician Sammy Hagar and actor Ed O'Neill embark on a journey to explore their ancestry, where they unearth profound family secrets that have been hid...
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5
Hold the Laughter
Title: Embrace the Journey Plot: Comedian Iliza Shlesinger and actor Bob Odenkirk delve into their ancestral backgrounds, uncovering stories of famil...
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6
Far and Away
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the rich and varied heritage of journalist Sunny Hostin and actor Jesse Williams, uncovering forgotten narratives o...
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7
The Brick Wall Falls
Title: The Brick Wall Falls Plot: Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides singer Dionne Warwick and actress Danielle Brooks as they dismantle the obstacles cre...
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8
Mean Streets
New Yorkers Tracy Morgan, a comedian, and actor Anthony Ramos take a deep dive into their family histories as they explore their roots and uncover the...
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9
In the Blood
Title: In the Blood Plot: Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the heritage of actor Michael Douglas and writer-director Lena Dunham. Although both hai...
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10
"Viewers Like You"
Title: "Curiosity Unlocked" Plot: Henry Louis Gates, Jr. embarks on a journey to uncover the hidden stories of three regular Americans selected as g...
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1
Larger Than Life
Title: Larger Than Life Plot: An exploration into the family histories of singer Lea Salonga and actress Amanda Seyfried uncovers a lineage filled wi...
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2
La Famiglia
Title: La Famiglia Plot: This episode dives into the Italian heritage of television personality Joy Behar and actor Michael Imperioli. Viewers will...
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3
Stranger Than Fiction
Journeying through both China and the American South, the episode uncovers the rich heritage of novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove, exploring their f...
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4
Dreamers One and All
The journey to uncover the family backgrounds of actress Sharon Stone and model Chrissy Teigen takes them on an adventure through various parts of Eur...
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5
Family Recipes
The episode delves into the heritage of chefs José Andrés and Sean Sherman, uncovering their culinary roots. As they navigate through their family h...
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6
Latin Roots
Exploring the family backgrounds of musician Rubén Blades and journalist Natalie Morales.
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7
The Ties That Bind
Title: The Bonds of Heritage Plot: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard delve into their ancestral backgrounds, uncovering tales of warriors, pioneers, and ...
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8
The Butterfly Effect
Debra Messing and Melanie Lynskey delve into the fascinating histories of their ancestors, uncovering how their courageous choices transformed their f...
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9
Moving on Up
Laurence Fishburne and Sheryl Lee Ralph delve into their family backgrounds, uncovering intriguing details about their ancestry.
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10
Finding My Roots
Title: Uncovering My Heritage Plot: The Gates family finally uncovers the answer to a long-standing mystery that has plagued them for decades. With d...
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1
American Dreams
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2
Great Migrations
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3
Caribbean Roots
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4
The Road We Took
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5
Love & Basketball
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family histories of basketball icons Brittney Griner and Chris Paul, revealing ancestors with remarkable abilities...
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6
Westward Bound
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the ancestral journeys of talk show host Sara Haines and playwright Tracy Letts, tracing their origins from the Americ...
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7
Family Harmonies
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. journeys around the world to uncover the ancestral stories that influenced musicians Lizzo and Flea, exploring the rich heritag...
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8
Artistic Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family histories of director Spike Lee and actress Kristin Chenoweth, uncovering the ancestral figures whose artis...
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9
Song of the South
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the intriguing family histories of Danielle Deadwyler and Rhiannon Giddens, revealing hidden narratives that their ...
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10
Rags to Riches
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family histories of actress Kate Burton and media tycoon Barry Diller, uncovering the stories of their ancestors w...