Kevin Bacon Discovers He's Related To Wife Kyra Sedgwick

By maks in Showbiz On 16th February 2024
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The realm of DNA testing is fraught with unexpected twists and turns. 

Often, these tests can unearth familial connections that might have been better left undiscovered.

Kevin Bacon encountered such a revelation, finding his bond with Kyra Sedgwick to be uncomfortably close, shedding a new light on their relationship.

The revelation came to light on the PBS Americas series "Finding Your Roots," where both Bacon and Sedgwick appeared to explore their ancestry. 

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Sedgwick, known for her roles in the film "Singles" and the TV comedy series "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," alongside Bacon, a star in his own right with a notable role in "Footloose," have been a celebrated Hollywood couple since their marriage on September 4, 1988. Together, they share two children, Sosie and Travis.

Credit: Getty Images

Their quest for knowledge about their ancestors led them to some unexpected discoveries.

Harvard professor and presenter of African-American history, Henry Louis Gates Jr., was the bearer of surprising news that left both Bacon and Sedgwick, as well as their fans, in disbelief.

Social media was abuzz with reactions, ranging from humorous takes like "The less fun version of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon!" to supportive comments applauding their relationship, "One of the best Hollywood couples around and someone's gotta try and bring them down. Not today internet!!"

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Fans also expressed admiration for the couple's bond, with comments like "Their podcast on Spotify is hilarious. What an amazing couple," and "Beautiful couple growing old together! True love."

Sedgwick, apprehensive at the start of the "Finding Your Roots" episode, voiced her concerns about potentially being related to her famous husband. 

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As it turned out, her fears were not unfounded.

Bacon, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, learned through the show that his lineage could be traced back 12 generations to a Quaker named Henry Comly and further to Bristol, UK, in the 17th century. 

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He also discovered that King Edward I, known as the ‘Hammer of the Scots' who battled William Wallace, was his 22nd great-grandfather. 

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Gates Jr. went on to inform him about his connection to other famous figures, including being 13th cousins twice removed with Brad Pitt and sharing a common ancestor with President Obama, making them 12th cousins three times removed.

Bacon humorously responded to these revelations, expressing his surprise and jesting about the newfound respect he should be receiving.

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Sedgwick's roots were unveiled to be deeply entrenched in New England's history, her ancestors being pivotal in Massachusetts' liberation from British rule and the formation of the American Republic.

The climax of the episode arrived when Gates Jr. revealed Sedgwick's ninth cousin once removed, none other than Kevin Bacon himself, leaving Sedgwick in a state of shock yet humorous disbelief.

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Despite the initial shock, Sedgwick reassured Bacon, "As long as we're not first cousins, it's fine."

Bacon, reflecting on the discovery, adopted a more philosophical outlook, appreciating the notion of interconnectedness. 

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"It's a beautiful concept that we are connected," he remarked. 

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"That we all, essentially, kind of climbed out of the same swamp. It's fun to be at the forefront of that idea."

This unexpected twist in their family history adds a unique chapter to their storied relationship, highlighting the unpredictable nature of exploring one's ancestry.