Families can be a bit confusing. And not just when it comes to behavior and relationships, but also when it comes to bloodlines. Today, many companies use genetics to trace your ancestors, all the way back to many generations. These very companies have researched famous celebrities and found out some surprising facts about their antecedents.
Bright Side delved into just a handful of these celebrities and found some relationships. Enough for us to exclaim that history truly repeats itself.
1. Beyoncé Knowles is the 25th cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.
Beyoncé Knowles, well known for being music royalty, has royal blood running in her veins too. She is the 25th cousin to Queen Elizabeth, once removed since they both share King Henry II as a common ancestor.
2. Angelina Jolie has lineage from King Phillip II of France.
King Phillip II of France ruled from 1180 to 1223 and is known to have brought financial stability to his country. He also increased the royal coffers. Actress Angelina Jolie carries French royal blood considering she is a direct descendant of Philip II. Strangely enough, she played Queen Olympias in the 2004 movie Alexander, opposite Val Kilmer’s Phillip II, only this was Phillip II of Macedonia.
3. Brad Pitt is a descendant of King Henry II of England.
Brad Pitt is no less royal either. He can trace his ancestry back to King Henry II of England, who ruled from 1154 until his death in 1189. Coincidentally, King Henry II’s wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, was first married to French royalty, making Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie somewhat predestined to a failed marriage. This also makes Pitt a 25th cousin, twice removed, to Queen Elizabeth.
4. Jane Austen is Anna Chancellor’s great-aunt.
In 1995, Anna Chancellor starred as Caroline Bingley in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice BBC Miniseries. But she has a deeper connection to Jane Austen as well. The highly venerated author is an 8-time great aunt to Chancellor.
5. H.H. Asquith is Helena Bonham Carter’s great-grandfather.
Helena Bonham Carter is best known for her off-the-beaten-path roles, like that of Mrs. Lovett in Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. But she comes from illustrious family background. Herbert Henry Asquith, the Prime Minister of the UK from 1908 to 1916, was her paternal great-grandfather. She is also related to Jane Austen, and subsequently to Anna Chancellor.
6. Harry Lloyd is a descendant of Charles Dickens.
Harry Lloyd, who plays Viserys Targaryen in Game of Thrones is the great-great-great-grandson of the famous Charles Dickens, the author. Lloyd’s mother, Marion is the descendant of the seventh child of Dickens, Henry Fielding Dickens, who in turn had 5 children.
7. Benedict Cumberbatch is the 16th cousin to King Richard III.
Benedict Cumberbatch is distantly related to King Richard III, who ruled England from 1452 to 1485. He was the last English king to have died during a battle, and later, there was a whole investigation into finding his remains, enough for a reburial. Cumberbatch, who plays Doctor Strange in the Marvel movies, is the 16th cousin to the king. He also read a poem at his royal ancestor’s reburial.
8. King Henry I is the ancestor of Sigourney Weaver.
There seem to be many celebrities who can trace their lineage right back to English kings. King Henry I, who ruled from 1100 to his death in 1135 may have died without a male heir, but his bloodlines spread far and wide. Actress Sigourney Weaver, known for her role in Alien, is a descendant of Henry I, and this also makes her the 24th cousin of the Queen, once removed.
9. Jake Gyllenhaal has antecedents back to King Edward III.
King Edward III ruled the English from 1312 to 1377 and is known as a rather conventional king, who pursued warfare but could also show great clemency. There are many celebrities who can claim blood relations with him, including Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal. Others include Michael Douglas, Hillary Duff, and more.
10. Meghan Markle is related to William Shakespeare.
We know Meghan Markle is related to the British Royal Family, by way of her marrying Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. But she already has famous blood in her veins, considering she is cousins with the great playwright, William Shakespeare. Markle is a fifth cousin to the Bard, 12 times removed.
11. Ozzy Osbourne is related to Tsar Nicholas II, and more.
Then there is Ozzy Osbourne, and DNA might prove there is a method to his madness. Researchers say that the singer is not just a descendant of the Neanderthal man, but also a relative of outlaw Jesse James. But his claim to royal fame is with the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II, whose entire family was wiped out in the revolution.
12. Cary Elwes is a descendant of infamous miser John Elwes.
Actor Cary Elwes is related to John Elwes. As a man, John Elwes may have been unremarkable except for the fact that he was an extreme miser. It is also alleged that he was Charles Dickens’s inspiration behind the miserly character, Ebenezer Scrooge, in the classic A Christmas Carol.
13. The Deschanel sisters are related to Louis IV of France.
Zooey and Emily Deschanel have both made their names in Hollywood. Zooey is the star of the series New Girl, while Emily Deschanel was the heroine of Bones. And both can lay claim to royal French blood, all the way back to King Louis IV of France, who ruled from 936 to 954.
14. Anderson Cooper is Cornelius Vanderbilt’s great-grandson.
Anchor and host Anderson Cooper is the great-grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the shipping and railroad magnate whose familial wealth was once more than the US treasury. His mother, Gloria Vanderbilt was the granddaughter of Cornelius, but Cooper remembers deciding to start work early, considering the family fortunes were much diminished by the time he was in his teens.
15. Robert Pattinson is a descendant of Vlad the Impaler.
Robert Pattinson may have played the love-sick vampire, Edward Cullen, in the Twilight series, but he has a real-life blood connection to “Dracula.” Bram Stoker’s famous character was allegedly inspired by the Transylvania despot, Vlad the Impaler, and Pattinson is related to him, via the British royal family.
So which of these celebrity connections really caught your interest? Do you know of your family’s famous genealogical connections too?
Angelina Jolie’s relationship with her father, Jon Voight, has been complex and fraught with tension. However, they have managed to reconcile their differences, with Voight becoming a supportive figure in Jolie’s life, particularly during her divorce from Brad Pitt.
Supporting Prostate Cancer Awareness – Keith Urban
Prostate cancer awareness has been extensively promoted by well-known country music superstar Keith Urban. Urban made time in spite of his hectic schedule to attend the Toowoomba, Australia, “It’s A Bloke Thing” luncheon, which promotes and raises money for research on prostate cancer.
Keith Urban’s Individual Relationship
Urban has a deep passion for the cause of prostate cancer. In December 2015, he lost his father, Robert, to the illness; his grandfather and multiple uncles were also impacted. Urban’s motivation to actively contribute to the cause and promote awareness stems from this personal connection.
A Record-Shattering Incident
The luncheon, which has been hosted by the “It’s A Bloke Thing” Foundation for the past seven years, has grown to be one of Australia’s most important daytime fundraising events. Over $1.53 million was donated to the foundation by the community in 2017. Due in large part to Urban’s involvement, the event raised a record $2,024,000.00 this year.
Keith Urban’s Commitment
Urban gave a performance at the Prostate Cancer Awareness/Fundraiser in front of 500 ticketed attendees, demonstrating his commitment to the cause. Urban traveled back to Australia to offer his support, even though he was on his Graffiti-U World Tour and visiting the United States.
The Value of Increasing Awareness
Urban’s participation in the “It’s A Bloke Thing” luncheon emphasizes how critical it is to spread knowledge about prostate cancer. Urban hopes to raise awareness of the illness and the pressing need for research to find a solution through his platform and influence. His contributions to the occasion show how dedicated he is to improving the lives of people impacted by prostate cancer.
Keith Urban’s Generosity & Charity
Keith Urban is a family man who regularly participates in charitable activities alongside his wife, Nicole Kidman, outside of his music profession.
Nicole Kidman: A Producer and Actress with Many Talents
Nicole Mary Kidman AC is an American-Australian actress and producer with great talent. Kidman is a well-known actress who has starred in a number of high-profile films and television shows. She is regularly listed among the highest-paid actors in the world. Among the many honors she has won are six Golden Globes, two Primetime Emmy Awards, an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and more.
A Lucrative Career in Acting
Kidman started her acting career in Australia and became well-known throughout the world thanks to roles in movies such as “Days of Thunder” and “Dead Calm.” Her roles in films like “Moulin Rouge!,” “Rabbit Hole,” “Lion,” and “Being the Ricardos” have all been intriguing. Kidman has received critical acclaim and has been nominated for numerous awards due to her talent and dedication.
A Firm Belief in Philanthropy
In addition, Kidman has accomplished a great deal in the humanitarian field. She began serving as a UNICEF and UNIFEM goodwill ambassador in 1994 and 2006, respectively. She was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2006 in honor of her exceptional accomplishments and contributions.
A Contented Family Life
Kidman has been wed to Keith Urban since 2006; she was previously wed to actor Tom Cruise. The couple places a high value on spending time with Sunday and Faith, their children. Kidman and Urban make sure that family time is a primary priority despite their hectic schedules.
Changing Things Together
It is amazing how dedicated Kidman and Urban are to their families and jobs. They positively influence society by using their influence and platform. Kidman’s engagement in multiple charitable endeavors and Urban’s advocacy for prostate cancer awareness showcase their unwavering commitment to improving the world.
Keith Urban’s Herald of Pride
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban value spending time with their family and placing a high priority on their kids’ welfare. Let’s examine their lovely family in more detail.
Sunday and Faith: Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s Joy
Faith and Sunday are Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman’s two stunning daughters. The family was recently observed having a great time together while on holiday in Australia. They appeared at ease and informal as they strolled along the asphalt in Sydney, as shown in the pictures. Sunday and Faith dressed in jeans and sneakers, their hair pulled up in stylish ponytails, as per their mother’s fashion taste. The girls will soon catch up to their mother’s height because they are maturing quickly.
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