Debra Messing and Melanie Lynskey Discover Surprising Celebrity Relatives
It turns out that Hollywood isn’t just connected by fame, it may also be linked by family ties.
Actresses Debra Messing and Melanie Lynskey recently learned they share DNA with some unexpected public figures during their appearance on the February 25 episode of “Finding Your Roots.”
The popular PBS series, hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., explores the ancestry of celebrities, often uncovering fascinating family connections. This time, Gates revealed that both Messing and Lynskey have some well-known distant cousins.
Gates revealed to Melanie Lynskey, known for her role in “Yellowjackets,” that she is related to musician and filmmaker Questlove.
“He’s your DNA cousin,” Gates explained. “Your father, Questlove, and Questlove’s mother share a long identical segment of DNA on your 15th chromosome.”
Lynskey reacted with excitement, calling the discovery “incredible” and describing Questlove as “such a sweet guy.” The connection left the actress thrilled to be linked to the celebrated Roots drummer and Academy Award-winning filmmaker.
The revelations didn’t stop there. Gates shocked Debra Messing, star of “Will & Grace,” by revealing that her distant cousin is none other than Bernie Sanders, the independent U.S. senator from Vermont.
A stunned Messing exclaimed, “Are you kidding me? Bernie Sanders?! No way! Oh my gosh. That is mind-blowing.”
The unexpected link between the beloved actress and the progressive politician added another surprising twist to the evening’s discoveries.
“Finding Your Roots” has built a reputation for uncovering surprising family ties among celebrities. Both Questlove and Bernie Sanders have appeared on previous episodes of the show, where their own genealogies were traced in detail.
Host Henry Louis Gates Jr., a distinguished historian and educator, continues to reveal how interconnected people—famous or not can be through their ancestral histories.
As Lynskey and Messing join a growing list of celebrities discovering unexpected family ties, the show highlights how DNA can bridge gaps between entertainment, politics, and music.
