Finding Your Roots
Presented and written by Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., this series journeys deep into the ancestry of a group of remarkable individuals and provides new understanding of personal identity and American history.
FULL EPISODES (46)
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S6 E16: Coming to AmericaHenry Louis Gates, Jr. helps Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, news anchor Norah ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, news anchor Norah O’Donnell and fashion designer Zac Posen explore their immigrant roots, retracing the journeys of their ancestors who ...
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S6 E15: Breaking SilencesHenry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family secrets of journalist Gayle King, ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family secrets of journalist Gayle King, film director Jordan Peele, and comedian Issa Rae, introducing them to ancestors who raise profound questions about the ...
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S6 E14: FlightHenry Louis Gates, Jr. meets actors Scarlett Johansson and Lupita Nyong’o, and ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets actors Scarlett Johansson and Lupita Nyong’o, and chef Lidia Bastianich — three women whose families crisscrossed the globe to escape oppression and find opportunity, ...
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S6 E13: War StoriesHenry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of actor Julianne Moore, comedian Bill ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of actor Julianne Moore, comedian Bill Hader, and painter Kehinde Wiley, revealing how their ancestors’ military service left an indelible mark both on ...
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S6 E12: DNA MysteriesHenry Louis Gates, Jr. uses DNA detective work to solve mysteries in the family ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uses DNA detective work to solve mysteries in the family trees of actor Téa Leoni, and radio host Joe Madison, introducing each of them to parents and grandparents whose names ...
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S6 E11: Fashion's RootsHenry Louis Gates, Jr. steps into the world of fashion and meets three icons of ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. steps into the world of fashion and meets three icons of style — Diane Von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez, and RuPaul Charles — introducing ancestors who were just as ...
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S6 E10: Criminal KindHenry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of actor Laura Linney and journalists ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of actor Laura Linney and journalists Lisa Ling and Soledad O’Brien—telling them stories of tricksters, scoundrels, and outright criminals, who ...
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S6 E9: Italian RootsHenry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and actors Marisa Tomei and John Turturro, introducing them to ancestors who made immense sacrifices to bring their families ...
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S6 E8: Slave TradeHenry Louis Gates, Jr. journeys with film director Ava DuVernay, actor S. Epatha ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. journeys with film director Ava DuVernay, actor S. Epatha Merkerson, and musician Questlove to the unexpected places where their ancestors were scattered by slavery, upending ...
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S6 E7: Science PioneersHenry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the family trees of Francis Collins, Shirley Ann ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the family trees of Francis Collins, Shirley Ann Jackson, and Harold E. Varmus — three pioneering scientists who’ve made dramatic contributions to our understanding ...
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S6 E6: Secrets & LiesHenry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actors Sigourney Weaver, Justina Machado, and Amy ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actors Sigourney Weaver, Justina Machado, and Amy Ryan unearth surprising revelations about their family histories, forever altering how they see themselves.
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S6 E5: Beyond the PaleHenry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the Jewish heritages of actor Jeff Goldblum, ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the Jewish heritages of actor Jeff Goldblum, radio host Terry Gross, and comedian Marc Maron, uncovering previously unknown stories that show each share much more with ...
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S6 E4: This Land Is My LandHenry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals the unexpected family trees of entertainer Queen ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals the unexpected family trees of entertainer Queen Latifah and actor Jeffrey Wright, redefining their sense of the black experience — and challenging preconceptions ...
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S6 E3: HomecomingsHenry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actor Sterling K. Brown, comedian Sasheer Zamata ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps actor Sterling K. Brown, comedian Sasheer Zamata and musician Jon Batiste discover the unexpected places their ancestors once called home, providing new insight into the ...
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S6 E2: Off the FarmTwo comic actors who grew up on farms in America’s heartland--the descendants ...Two comic actors who grew up on farms in America’s heartland--the descendants of generations of people who worked the land--retrace the journeys of their ancestors to see what they share with the ...
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S6 E1: Hollywood RoyaltyThree actors born into Hollywood royalty discover branches of their family trees ...Three actors born into Hollywood royalty discover branches of their family trees that have been hidden from the public eye--and meet a cast of characters every bit as dramatic as the people they ...
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S5 E10: All in the FamilyThe family stories of actor Ty Burrell, and radio host Joe Madison. Also a look ...The family stories of actor Ty Burrell, and radio host Joe Madison. Also a look at how a summer camp for children is using genetic genealogy to help young people better understand their burgeoning ...
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S5 E9: The Eye of the BeholderHost Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shares the family histories of director Alejandro G. ...Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shares the family histories of director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, iconoclastic performance artist Marina Abramović and painter Kehinde Wiley. These visionary artists find ...
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S5 E8: Hard TimesHost Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family stories of filmmaker Michael ...Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family stories of filmmaker Michael Moore and actors Laura Linney and Chloë Sevigny—three people whose distant ancestors overcame great hardships in ways ...
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S5 E7: No Laughing MatterHenry Louis Gates, Jr. shows comedians Seth Meyers, Tig Notaro and Sarah ...Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shows comedians Seth Meyers, Tig Notaro and Sarah Silverman that their family trees are filled with people whose struggles laid the groundwork for their success. Gates also ...
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S5 E6: Roots in PoliticsHost Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the diverse family histories of politicians ...Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the diverse family histories of politicians Paul Ryan, Tulsi Gabbard and Marco Rubio. They each see a shared vision of the great American melting pot reflected in ...