Hollywood is tiny. No, seriously. You see these stars on separate billboards or starring in completely different genres, and you assume they’re just strangers who happen to be rich and famous. But once you start poking around the DNA results and the deep-dive genealogy archives of 2026, it turns out half the industry is basically one big, messy Sunday dinner.
Sometimes it’s a strategic name change to avoid the "nepo baby" allegations. Other times, the stars themselves have no clue they’re sharing a bloodline until a camera is shoved in their face for a documentary. From rappers related to iconic sitcom stars to Oscar winners who share a 14th-century king, the reality of celebs who are related is honestly a bit surreal.
The Cousins You Definitely Didn’t See Coming
We have to start with the ones that make you do a double-take. Take Sabrina Carpenter. She’s dominating the charts right now, but her pipes might just be a family trait. Did you know her aunt is actually Nancy Cartwright? If that name doesn't ring a bell, her voice will. Nancy has been the voice of Bart Simpson for decades. Imagine having "Eat my shorts" and "Espresso" at the same Thanksgiving table.
Then there’s the Snoop Dogg and Brandy connection. This isn't just a "we're from the same neighborhood" thing. They are first cousins. Snoop actually confirmed this years ago, mentioning that they never really broadcasted it because they wanted to build their own legacies separately. Throw in Brandy’s brother Ray J, and that’s a ridiculous amount of musical talent for one family tree.
- Austin Butler and Ashley Tisdale: They played love interests (sorta) in Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure, but they’re actually 10th cousins.
- Nicolas Cage and Sofia Coppola: Most people know this one by now, but Cage changed his name from Coppola specifically so he wouldn't be living in the shadow of The Godfather director (his uncle).
- Yara Shahidi and Nas: The Grown-ish star and the legendary rapper are second cousins. She was even a flower girl at his wedding.
When "Finding Your Roots" Breaks the Internet
In the last year, celebrity genealogy shows have become the ultimate spoiler for real life. The 2024 and 2025 seasons of Finding Your Roots dropped some absolute bombs that are still echoing through Hollywood in 2026.
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America Ferrera found out she’s cousins with director Ava DuVernay. Their reaction was pure gold—just genuine shock. It makes sense, though. Both women are powerhouses in the industry who have spent their careers pushing for better representation. Maybe that drive is just written into the genetic code.
But the weirdest one? Billy Crudup and Terry Crews. Think about that for a second. The star of The Morning Show and the host of America’s Got Talent. They are distant blood relatives. Crews spoke about it on the Today show, saying it’s a beautiful testament to what America is—people of different races and backgrounds actually being "true blood relatives." It’s a cool reminder that the labels we put on ourselves don't always match what’s happening at the chromosomal level.
Historical Ties: From the Red Carpet to the Throne
Some celebs who are related have ties that go back way further than the 1900s. We're talking literal kings and queens.
Benedict Cumberbatch isn't just "posh" because of his accent. He is a 16th cousin to King Richard III. It gets weirder: he actually played Richard III in the BBC series The Hollow Crown and even read a poem at the King’s reburial after his remains were found under a parking lot in Leicester. Talk about a full-circle moment.
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Then you have the Fanning sisters. Dakota and Elle Fanning are 21st cousins to Kate Middleton. They both descend from King Edward III. So, if you ever thought they looked like they belonged in a period drama, well, their DNA agrees.
The Presidential Connection
Tom Hanks is a third cousin (four times removed) of Abraham Lincoln. They share a common ancestor through Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks. It’s almost too perfect that the "nicest man in Hollywood" is related to "Honest Abe."
Why Do So Many Celebs Have Famous Relatives?
Is it just luck? Not exactly.
Social scientists often point to "assortative mating" and the "proximity effect." People in high-stakes, high-income industries tend to hang out in the same circles. They marry each other, their kids go to the same schools, and the talent—or at least the access to the industry—gets passed down.
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There’s also the "hidden" family tree. Think about Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci. They aren't blood-related, but they’re in-laws. Tucci is married to Emily’s sister, Felicity. They met at Emily’s wedding to John Krasinski. These connections create a tight-knit web that makes it much easier to navigate the shark-infested waters of show business.
Surprising Sibling Secrets
Sometimes the siblings are right in front of us, but we don't connect the dots because of different surnames or wildly different "vibes."
Florence Pugh is a global superstar. Her brother? Toby Sebastian. He played Trystane Martell in Game of Thrones. They don’t look identical at first glance, but once you know, you can't unsee the resemblance.
And then there's Jonah Hill and Beanie Feldstein. Jonah dropped his last name (Feldstein) early on. Beanie kept it. They are obsessed with each other—Jonah even has a tattoo of her name. It’s one of the few genuinely wholesome sibling relationships in the spotlight.
Actionable Takeaways: Tracking Your Own Connections
If you're fascinated by how these stars are linked, you don't need a TV crew to find your own weird family ties.
- Start with the "Low Hanging Fruit": Ask your oldest living relatives about "the ones who left." Often, families lose touch with a branch that moved away to pursue acting or music.
- Use Public Databases: Sites like Ancestry or MyHeritage are where many of these celeb connections were first flagged by amateur sleuths before they went viral.
- Cross-Reference Surnames: If you see a weirdly specific last name in a movie credit, search it. Hollywood dynasties like the Coppolas, Skarsgårds, and Wayans are massive, but smaller clusters exist everywhere.
- Check Social Media Following: Often, younger celebs who are related will follow each other long before they ever do a project together. It’s the 2026 version of a family reunion.
The Hollywood "club" is exclusive, but the "family" is even tighter. Whether it's Mariska Hargitay carrying on the legacy of her mother Jayne Mansfield or Jason Sudeikis being the nephew of Cheers legend George Wendt, talent and fame seem to move through bloodlines like a shared secret. Next time you see two actors who seem to have a weirdly familiar chemistry, trust your gut. They might just be cousins.