Finding Your Roots

Culture Series / 7 Seasons

For more than a decade, renowned Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has helped to expand America’s sense of itself, stimulating a national conversation about identity with humor, wisdom, and compassion. Professor Gates has explored the ancestry of dozens of influential people from diverse backgrounds, taking millions of viewers deep into the past to reveal the connections that bind us all.

Watch Latest: S11 E7

52m 10s / TV-PG

The Butterfly Effect Preview

30s / TV-PG

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actors Debra Messing & Melanie Lynskey to ancestors who made bold decisions that forever reshaped their family trees. Moving from shtetls in Eastern Europe to a fruit stand in NY City to the wilds of New Zealand, Gates introduces his guests to relatives who took great risks, overcame enormous hardships—and unwittingly transformed the lives of their descendants.

The Ties That Bind Preview

30s / TV-PG

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard—a married couple who discover that their ancestors had some remarkable similarities. In stories that span continents and centuries, Gates introduces Kristen and Dax to the soldiers, settlers, and criminals who make up their roots, allowing his guests to understand themselves—and their families—as never before.

The Complex Chapter in Natalie Morales' Family History

3m 59s / TV-PG

Natalie Morales learns about her maternal third great grandfather, Domingos, a farmer born in Brazil, a father to thirteen children. Going further back, Henry Louis Gates and researchers determine her first ancestor to come to Brazil from Portugal.

Latin Roots Preview

30s

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps musician Rubén Blades & journalist Natalie Morales uncover their hidden roots in Latin America, revealing secrets that their ancestors went to great lengths to conceal. Traveling from Puerto Rico to Columbia to Brazil, Gates & his guests recover long-lost family stories—meet heroes and villains—and celebrate the virtue of accepting one’s relatives whoever they may be.

Family Recipes Preview

30s

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family trees of celebrity chefs José Andrés & Sean Sherman—two men who have combined culinary skills with profound humanitarian goals. Traveling from small-town Spain to Native American lands in the Dakotas, Gates explores where these qualities came from, revealing that the ancestors of José & Sean have hidden connections to key moments in history—and to food.

Sean Sherman Learns About A Tragic Past

4m 7s / TV-PG

Sean learns his paternal great-great grandmother was sent east as a child to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, a decision which forced her to abandon her culture and family.

Dreamers One and All Preview

30s / TV-PG

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets actor Sharon Stone & model Chrissy Teigen—two stars who found fame when they were young & lived much of their lives in the limelight, knowing little about their roots. Gates reveals they aren’t the first people in their families who dared to dream big, tracing lineages from Eastern Europe to Medieval France to rural Thailand.

Chrissy Teigen Discovers Very Unique Lost Family History

4m 7s

The story of Chrissy Teigen’s paternal great-grandparents was largely unknown to her. Research determines that she is descended from multiple generations of musicians, and from the Sinti people, a subgroup of the Romani people. The Roma, or Romani people were often denigrated as Gypsies, but it explains why Teigen’s ancestors moved so often.

Stranger Than Fiction Preview

30s / TV-14

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of two award-winning writers: novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove, tracing lineages that run from a plantation in Maryland to a speakeasy in Washington, DC to a village in central China. Along the way, Amy and Rita reimagine themselves as they learn the true stories of the people who laid the groundwork for their success—and inspired their art.

Joy Behar Discovers Her Grandfather's Immigrant Story

4m 3s / TV-14

Joy Behar's grandfather sought a new life in America, but after only four years moved back to Calabria, Italy in 1907. He then married her grandmother, Francesca. He ultimately moved back to Pennsylvania and left her behind, where he was able to make enough money to send back for her. Francesca met him there in 1911 where they had their first child, Joy's mother, but Francesca passed away shortly.

The Train Accident in Michael Imperioli's Family History

4m 2s / TV-14

Michael's maternal grandfather, Alberto Luzzi, was born in New York City in June, 1914. Alberto had a difficult childhood due to the early passing of his father, Michael's great grandfather, who died in an accident cleaning trains for the transit system. Michael's great grandfather grew up in Calabria, Italy, before moving to America after getting married.

La Famiglia Preview

30s / TV-PG

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family trees of talk show host Joy Behar and actor Michael Imperioli—two Americans whose roots stretch back to small towns in Calabria, Italy. Joy and Michael’s families lived in these towns for centuries, but their stories were lost on the journey to America. Gates reveals the challenges that their ancestors faced—and overcame—on both sides of the Atlantic.

Amanda Seyfried Discovers Ancestor Was an Army Musician

4m 13s / TV-PG

Amanda's third great grandfather, Peter Friesell, was living in Pennsylvania with his wife Lydia and their daughter in 1860. He voluntarily enlisted in the Civil War to fight for the Union to end slavery. He ultimately served as a musician, playing the fife. He risked his life and survived.

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