Storyline
From roots in the Deep South to the slums of New Jersey, "Who Do You Think You Are?" follows the journeys of some of the most well-known names in American popular culture. Watch as celebrities discover unknown details about themselves and their families while researching their ancestry with the help of historians and genealogical experts.
Episodes
Season 1
No overview available for this season.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Mar 05, 2010
Sarah Jessica Parker is a celebrated icon in film and television as well as fashion, who recently served as a producer and reprised her Emmy Award-winning role as Carrie Bradshaw for the screen adaptation of the hit HBO series "Sex and the City." The actress took an emotional journey from coast to coast in search of her family's roots, crossing paths with the California Gold Rush and the Salem Witch Trials.
Emmitt Smith
Mar 12, 2010
Emmitt Smith is an NFL Hall of Fame running back who, since retirement, has devoted himself to business and giving back to the community. But recently, he decided to embark on a journey inward, tracing his family's past. It was a journey that took him beyond his wildest expectations, discovering not only his African roots, but his connections to slave owners in Virginia.
Lisa Kudrow
Mar 19, 2010
Lisa Kudrow journeys to the small Jewish town of Ilya where she discovers how her great-grandmother died in the Holocaust. Yet, Lisa finds hope when she uncovers a 60-year old family mystery.
Matthew Broderick
Mar 26, 2010
On his journey to learn more about his paternal roots, Matthew Broderick discovers the heroic story of his grandfather during World War I and finds the final resting place of his great-great-grandfather who fought in the Civil War.
Brooke Shields
Apr 02, 2010
Brooke learns a tragic secret about her grandmother and then discovers a connection to royalty through her paternal roots.
Susan Sarandon
Apr 23, 2010
Susan leads an emotionally charged search for her family roots. Starting with her estranged grandmother Anita who abandoned Susan's mother in early childhood, Susan's journey takes her all the way to Tuscany, Italy. Back in America, Susan discovers a surprising connection to her grandmother.
Spike Lee
Apr 30, 2010
Spike begins his journey in Atlanta, Georgia, where his grandmother Zimmie worked in the segregated Southern systems for many years. Here, Spike follows the trail of his ancestors dating back to the Civil War and discovers a shocking family connection.
Season 2
No overview available for this season.
Vanessa Williams
Feb 04, 2011
Vanessa Williams sets out on a journey to find out if her ancestors were also trailblazers.
Tim McGraw
Feb 11, 2011
The country music superstar uncovers his father's heritage among the Founding Fathers.
Rosie O'Donnell
Feb 18, 2011
The search for her mother's roots takes Rosie to Ireland, and uncovers a new branch of the family.
Kim Cattrall
Feb 25, 2011
Kim Cattrall travels to her native England to discover what happened to her grandfather, who abandoned his family to poverty when Kim's mother was only eight years old.
Lionel Richie
Mar 04, 2011
Lionel Richie sets out to unlock the mystery of the man his beloved grandmother never spoke about - her father, John Louis Brown.
Steve Buscemi
Mar 25, 2011
Steve Buscemi seeks a compelling story on his mother's side of the family, and finds it in his great-great-grandfather Ralph B. Montgomery.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Apr 01, 2011
Gwyneth Paltrow's exploration of both sides of her family shows her the importance of teaching her kids that where they come from is important.
Ashley Judd
Apr 08, 2011
Actress Ashley Judd discovers a connection to the first American settlers while investigating her ancestral past.
Season 3
No overview available for this season.
Martin Sheen
Feb 03, 2012
Actor Martin Sheen traces his family tree, hoping to find his ancestors shared his love of activism; Martin discovers a family secret from the 1700s.
Marisa Tomei
Feb 10, 2012
Actress Marisa Tomei travels to Italy to uncover the truth about her great-granddather's death.
Blair Underwood
Feb 24, 2012
Actor Blair Underwood utilizes a DNA test to dig deeper into his family's roots, where he discovers the secret of his family's origin.
Reba McEntire
Mar 02, 2012
Country music star Reba McEntire heads to Raleigh, North Carolina as she explores her mother's ancestry.
Jerome Bettis
Mar 09, 2012
Former professional football player Jerome Bettis travels to Kentucky to learn about his mother's side of the family.
Helen Hunt
Mar 23, 2012
As actress Helen Hunt looks into her paternal family history, she uncovers missing information about her ancestors.
Rita Wilson
Mar 30, 2012
Actress Rita Wilson travels to Greece and Bulgaria to learn more about her late father.
Edie Falco
Apr 06, 2012
Actress Edie Falco's journey to learn more about her mother's side of the family leads her to Milwaukee and England.
Rob Lowe
Apr 27, 2012
Actor Rob Lowe examines his family history.
Rashida Jones
May 04, 2012
Actress Rashida Jones learns about her family history on her mother's side.
Jason Sudeikis
May 11, 2012
Actor Jason Sudeikis heads to Chicago to research the life and death of his paternal grandfather and makes a discovery about his great great grandfather in Pennsylvania.
Paula Deen
May 18, 2012
Chef Paula Deen investigates her family history and learns about an event that affected her ancestors during the Civil War.
Season 4
No overview available for this season.
Kelly Clarkson
Jul 23, 2013
Singer Kelly Clarkson explores her lineage and uncovers an ancestor deeply rooted in American history; she comes face-to-face with her 3x great grandfather's wartime bravery and sacrifice.
Christina Applegate
Jul 30, 2013
Actress Christina Applegate investigates her paternal grandmother - a stranger to her and her father. Uncovering dramatic details along the way, Christina gains insight into the life and hardships of the woman she and her father loved, but never knew.
Chelsea Handler
Aug 06, 2013
Media mogul Chelsea Handler confronts a deep family secret: her Grandfather’s rumored Nazi past. As she dives into her family’s struggle to survive in a desperate time, the details uncovered will finally confirm or deny his affiliation to the dark regime.
Zooey Deschanel
Aug 13, 2013
Actress Zooey Deschanel searches for rumored abolitionists in her father’s Ouaker family background. Her journey takes her around Pennsylvania where she uncovers, and follows, the story of a remarkable ancestor who sacrificed everything for her beliefs.
Chris O'Donnell
Aug 20, 2013
In memory of his late father, actor Chris O’Donnell investigates the paternal side of his family and finds ancestors on the frontlines of American history. Chris explores a patriotic legacy and a family devotion that extends deeper than he ever imagined.
Cindy Crawford
Aug 27, 2013
World famous supermodel Cindy Crawford takes a journey to discover her family origins. With travels to the UK and beyond, she discovers ancestors dating back to the English Civil War, and even finds a connection linking her to early European royalty!
Trisha Yearwood
Sep 03, 2013
Since her parents passed, country singer Trisha Yearwood knows little about her paternal side of the family. Her search for a deeper family connection takes Trisha to England, where she uncovers an ancestor’s history of crime, loss, and perseverance.
Jim Parsons
Sep 10, 2013
In tribute to his late father, actor Jim Parsons explores the ancestors on his paternal side of the family. The journey takes Jim to Louisiana and eventually France, where he discovers generations of his forefathers who made an indelible mark in history.
Season 5
No overview available for this season.
Cynthia Nixon
Jul 23, 2014
Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Jul 30, 2014
Rachel and Kayleen McAdams
Aug 06, 2014
Valerie Bertinelli
Aug 13, 2014
Valerie Bertinelli goes on the hunt to unlock her family’s mysteries. She tracks down courageous ancestors who suffered through hardship and tragedy, and discovers a royal lineage dating back centuries that she never dreamed possible.
Kelsey Grammer
Aug 20, 2014
Kelsey Grammer takes a trip into the past to explore his beloved grandmother’s family. He uncovers the story of a woman haunted by demons, and finds a connection to family who risked everything in one of the greatest migrations in American history.
Minnie Driver
Aug 27, 2014
Minnie Driver unravels the deep family secrets her late father kept hidden. She discovers how the ravages of war nearly destroyed him, tracks down a long lost relative for the first time, and forms an unlikely bond with an ancestor she never knew existed.
Season 6
No overview available for this season.
Julie Chen
Mar 08, 2015
Television personality Julie Chen uncovers a dramatic tale when she sets out for rural China to learn more about her maternal grandfather, who died long before she was born.
Josh Groban
Mar 15, 2015
Singer Josh Groban traces his ancestry to Germany and discovers a relative who was a deacon, music teacher and well-known astronomer.
Angie Harmon
Mar 22, 2015
Actress Angie Harmon discovers an ancestor who gave up his freedom to come to America and fought for independence at a pivotal point in history.
Sean Hayes
Mar 29, 2015
Actor/Producer Sean Hayes searches for the cause of his estranged father's troubled past and uncovers a shocking trail of tragedy and crime that reaches back generations.
Tony Goldwyn
Apr 05, 2015
Actor Tony Goldwyn researches his maternal ancestry and discovers a heritage of political activism along with a couple who proudly fought for abolition, women's rights and westward expansion.
America Ferrera
Apr 12, 2015
America Ferrera learns about her great-grandfather's pivotal role in Honduran history, and seeks a connection to the father she hardly knew.
Bill Paxton
Apr 19, 2015
Actor Bill Paxton searches his paternal ancestry and uncovers a war hero from a historic battle who shaped politics in the past.
Melissa Etheridge
Apr 26, 2015
Music artist Melissa Etheridge researches her French roots, discovering a scandalous lawsuit and a relationship entangled with tragedy.
Season 7
No overview available for this season.
Ginnifer Goodwin
Jul 26, 2015
In the Season 7 premiere, Ginnifer Goodwin hopes to connect her father with the grandparents he never knew, and uncovers a dark side of her family tree that includes instability and drug addiction.
J.K. Rowling
Aug 02, 2015
JK Rowling sets off on a journey to uncover her maternal French roots. She stumbles upon a family mystery, and uncovers a harrowing tale of wartime heroism, then discovers the actions of a brave ancestor.
Alfre Woodard
Aug 09, 2015
Alfre Woodard investigates the paternal side of her family and explores the origins of her surname.
Into the Archives
Aug 16, 2015
Bryan Cranston
Aug 23, 2015
Bryan Cranston's happy childhood shattered when his father abandoned the family when Bryan was just 11. Seeking answers, Bryan explores his paternal roots, finds a troubling pattern of desertion, a man of honor and an aunt he never even knew existed.
Tom Bergeron
Aug 30, 2015
Television personality Tom Bergeron researches his paternal roots in France and discovers his nine-times great grandmother, Marguerite, who endured upheaval and faced going against her Protestant upbringing in order to survive.
Season 8
No overview available for this season.
Aisha Tyler
Apr 03, 2016
Aisha Tyler's journey reveals an ancestor who, as a politician, struggled to keep his illegitimate son a secret. Against all odds, her 2x great-grandfather exemplifies bravery and determination during one of America's most tumultuous eras of racism.
Scott Foley
Apr 10, 2016
Tracing his patriotic roots, Scott Foley finds a relative who risked his life for one of America’s founding fathers, and an ancestor who suffered unspeakably during one of this nation’s darkest times.
Katey Sagal
Apr 17, 2016
Katey Sagal has an emotional and insightful meeting with her mother's friend and fellow USO performer. Katey also finds a surprising link to the Amish and uncovers the harrowing story of her relative's daring escape from attackers.
Molly Ringwald
Apr 24, 2016
Molly Ringwald explores family lore of Swedish royalty, which uncovers her ancestors' harrowing lives and reveals women who suffered through unspeakable tragedies, and one brave immigrant who forever changed her family's fate.
Chris Noth
May 01, 2016
Chris Noth discovers the suffering endured by his ancestors in America, and tracks a relative from Spain to Ireland who eventually became a war hero.
Lea Michele
May 01, 2016
Lea Michele digs into her Jewish roots and finds a heartbreaking story about her great-grandmother in addition to a family reunited after being separated for decades.
Season 9
No overview available for this season.
Courteney Cox
Mar 05, 2017
Courteney Cox traces her maternal line back to ambitious and ruthless relatives who plotted and murdered their way to power in medieval times; and she's shocked to discover an ancestor who's one of European history's most famous characters
Julie Bowen
Mar 12, 2017
Julie Bowen makes a shocking discovery that a beloved relative lead a nefarious organization that triggered a dark chapter of U.S. history; and uncovers another ancestor who risked everything to fight for the lives and freedom of African Americans.
Jennifer Grey
Mar 19, 2017
Jennifer Grey discovers much more about the grandfather she thought she knew as she uncovers how he survived adversity to become a beacon of his community; and discovers a great-grandmother whose devastating tragedy stopped her from making it to America.
Noah Wyle
Mar 26, 2017
Noah Wyle investigates his maternal family line, discovering an ancestor who was catapulted into one of America's biggest wars, and whose life spiraled out of control from remarkable success to a shocking and tragic end.
Jessica Biel
Apr 02, 2017
Jessica Biel hunts for the truth behind family lore surrounding the death of an ancestor. She also makes two shocking discoveries that shake everything she knows about her heritage to the core.
Smokey Robinson
Apr 09, 2017
Motown legend and icon, Smokey Robinson tracks down a grandfather tangled in a swirl of controversy and connects to a relative's familiar struggle with oppression while coming face to face with the gruesome history he knew was inevitable.
John Stamos
Apr 16, 2017
Actor John Stamos explores his Greek heritage for the first time and discovers an explosive feud that shattered his grandfather's childhood. He also meets a relative he never knew and hears firsthand about his family's enduring strength.
Liv Tyler
Apr 24, 2017
Actress Liv Tyler unravels the mystery of her father Steven Tyler’s maternal family line, uncovering ancestors who took part in famous American battles. She also learns the shocking truths that will change the way she sees herself, and her family, forever.
Season 10
No overview available for this season.
Jon Cryer
May 21, 2018
Jon Cryer's journey takes him from America to Scotland as he uncovers the dramatic tale of an ancestor who survived a catastrophic battle, endured horrific conditions as a prisoner of war, and was forced to come to America as an indentured servant.
Laverne Cox
May 21, 2018
Actress and activist Laverne Cox pieces together the inspiring life of her African American ancestor, who challenged societal norms and bravely pushed the boundaries just years after Emancipation.
Megan Mullally
May 28, 2018
Megan Mullally explores a shocking pattern of dysfunction in her father's line; she finds her two-times great grandmother was bravely defying societal norms in order to fight for her family's survival, while struggling to hang on to her own sanity.
Hilary Duff
Jun 04, 2018
Actress Hilary Duff uncovers the tale of an ancestor who bravely led an American colony to battle a notorious gang of pirates; she dives centuries-deep into her Scottish roots and is shocked to discover that she descends from a heroic medieval king.
Molly Shannon
Jun 11, 2018
Actress Molly Shannon heads to Ireland in search of her mother’s unknown family tree. She finds desperate ancestors forced to choose between their faith and survival; uncovers a family legacy of bravery; and meets Irish cousins for the first time.
Jean Smart
Jun 18, 2018
Actress Jean Smart uncovers the curious tale of an unconventional ancestor in colonial Massachusetts, who got her children entangled in her own thievery ring and later faced execution when she was accused of witchcraft.
Season 11
No overview available for this season.
Mandy Moore
Dec 03, 2018
Actress Mandy Moore is shocked to discover ancestors who lived in Australia and travels far, determined to unlock the mystery of how they got there. Moore is touched by the courage of those who made the journey and the sacrifice of those who were left behind.
Josh Duhamel
Dec 10, 2018
Actor Josh Duhamel travels to England to investigate the extraordinary life of his twelve times great-grandfather and uncovers an astonishing, dark twist of interrogation and torture that rocks his belief system to the core.
Regina King
Dec 17, 2018
Actress Regina King investigates her maternal family tree and uncovers an ancestor who was a passionate civil rights activist in Alabama; a man who came out of slavery, endured horrific violence, but never stopped fighting for his people.
Matthew Morrison
Dec 17, 2018
Actor Matthew Morrison explores his American roots for the first time and is surprised to discover his family's ties to the Revolutionary War. He learns of the bold lengths his ancestor went through to protect his allegiances and the brutality he faced on the battlefield.
Season 12
No overview available for this season.