33 celebs you didn't know were related (including Barack Obama and Brad Pitt, and Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne and Ryan Gosling)
Celebrities are just like us. Well, in the sense that they have a sprawling network of close and distant family members too, but there are some A-listers who have fellow famous members on their family tree. Okay, so not quite like us.
While some celebrity family members are easy to pick, like the Hemsworth brothers or siblings Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal, others are not so quick to place. Did you know that Stanley Tucci is related to Emily Blunt? Or that Barack Obama is distant cousins with Brad Pitt? Yep, our minds are blown too.
What about Kate Middleton and actress sisters, Elle and Dakota Fanning? Their connection goes way back. (We’re talking King of England in 1272-back).
Or how about Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa and Big Little Lies actress Zoë Kravitz? We've done the research for you and detail the 33 celebs you didn’t know had famous connections, below.
Getty Images / ShutterstockJustin Theroux and Louis Theroux
Yep, the British documentary maker and Jennifer Aniston’s former flame are first cousins. Louis Theroux’s dad is Justin Theroux’s brother and the pair spent a lot of time together growing up. Justin even appeared on Louis’ podcast, Grounded with Louis Theroux.
Getty ImagesStellan, Alexander and Bill Skarsgård
A talented trio, Stellan (Mamma Mia! ), Alexander (Big Little Lies) and Bill (IT) are all related. Alexander and Bill are brothers and Stellan is their dad.
Getty ImagesJason Momoa and Zoë Kravitz
While it's common knowledge that Zoë Kravitz’ dad is singer Lenny Kravitz, did you know her stepdad is Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa? Jason married Zoë’s mum Lisa Bonnet in 2017.
Getty ImagesAlfie and Lily Allen
Game of Thrones star Alfie Allen is actually the younger brother of pop star Lily Allen - she even wrote a song about him on her first album, aptly called ‘Alfie’.
Getty ImagesJulia and Emma Roberts
American Horror Story star Emma Roberts used to spend days on her aunt’s film sets when she was a kid and got a taste for acting then. Her aunt? Julia Roberts.
Getty ImagesJustin Bieber, Avril Lavigne and Ryan Gosling
In 2019 Justin Bieber revealed his family tree on Instagram which showed that he and fellow Canadian Ryan Gosling are 11th cousins once removed and Avril Lavigne is also his 12th cousin.
Getty ImagesMiley Cyrus and Dolly Parton
While not technically blood related, Dolly Parton is Miley Cyrus’ godmother. Miley was born the same year her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus’ hit song ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ was released and he was touring with Dolly when he asked her to be godmother.
Getty ImagesEmily Blunt and Stanley Tucci
The meet-cute to end all meet-cutes. When Emily Blunt and John Krasinski got married in 2010, Emily's sister Felicity met her Devil Wears Prada co-star Stanley and the pair hit it off. Stanley and Felicity got married in 2012 - making Stanley Emily’s brother-in-law.
Getty ImagesZoey Deutch and Lea Thompson
If 2020’s it girl Zoey Dutch has a familiar face, it’s because she mirrors her mother - Lea Thompson who appeared in the Back to the Futureseries in the 80s.
Getty ImagesNicolas Cage and Sofia Coppola
Nicolas Cage and Sofia Coppola - along with actor Jason Schwartzman - are all first cousins. Sophia is the daughter of fellow director, Francis Ford Coppola while Nic is the son of Francis’ older brother, August Ford Coppola. Jason’s mother is the younger sister of Francis and August, Talia Shire.
Getty ImagesElle and Dakota Fanning and Kate Middleton
In 2014, Ancestry.com discovered that actress sisters Elle and Dakota Fanning are (very distantly) related to Kate Middleton - 21st cousins in fact. Kate and the sisters both descend from King Edward I who served as the King of England from 1272 to 1307.
Getty ImagesBeanie Feldstein and Jonah Hill
While Jonah Hill has been on our radar ever since his Superbaddays, did you know his younger sister is Beanie Feldstein of Booksmart fame? The 27-year-old actress has also starred in Lady Bird and How to Build a Girl.
Getty ImagesGerard Way and Joe Rogan
Ready for a major throwback? Way back to your emo days? Well My Chemical Romance’s frontman Gerard Way is a distant cousin of podcast host Joe Rogan, but they “don’t know each other” Joe has previously said.
Getty ImagesBrad Pitt and Barack Obama
In the late 2000s, Ancestry.com discovered that Brad Pitt and Barack Obama are distant cousins. “I guess we’re ninth cousins, something removed – or something,” Obama told a talk show at the time. “I think he got the better looking side of the gene pool,” he added.
Getty ImagesMelanie Griffith and Dakota Johnson
Everyone’s favourite fringe-spo, actress Dakota Johnson has a famous mum: Melanie Griffith. Melanie was married to actor Antonio Banderas from 1996 to 2015 which makes him Dakota’s step dad too.
