Stars you didn't know were related

By Devan Coggan and Cristina Everett
Updated July 27, 2017 at 06:21 PM EDT

1 of 16

Larry David and Bernie Sanders

Credit: Dana Edelson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

In a twist that sounds straight out of a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode, Larry David is actually "like a third cousin or something" to former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who he impersonated several times on Saturday Night Live during the political campaign. The Seinfeld creator discovers the connection in an upcoming episode of PBS' Finding Your Roots and said he was quite pleased to learn about their shared DNA. "I was very happy about that," he said during TV Critics' Association summer press tour. "I thought there must have been some connection. I love Bernie."

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 16

Elle King and Rob Schneider

Credit: Michael Schwartz/WireImage

"Ex's & Oh's" singer Elle King is the daughter of comedic star Rob Schneider. The SNL alum shares the rising star with his ex-wife, former model London King. "I took on my mom's last name because she raised me, and I wanted to be my own person," the performer said in a 2015 interview with Billboard.

 

3 of 16

Rip Torn and Sissy Spacek

Credit: Joe Raedle/Newsmakers via Getty Images

Actors Rip Torn and Sissy Spacek are cousins. The Cross Creek actor reportedly got his younger relative into acting, and she credited him with part of her stardom. "My cousin, Rip Torn, persuaded me not to change my name," Spacek reportedly said in a 1970s interview with Photoplay magazine. "You shouldn't change what you are in search of success."

 

Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

4 of 16

Abby Elliott and Chris Elliott

Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Humor runs in the family for Abby Elliott and Chris Elliott. Abby followed in her famous father's footsteps to nab a spot on Saturday Night Live.

 

Advertisement

5 of 16

Amy Schumer and Chuck Schumer

Credit: Andrew Burton/Getty Images

The comedian and the New York senator are second cousins, and after the recent shooting during a screening of Trainwreck in Lafayette, Louisiana, the two announced that they’re teaming up to call for tighter gun laws.  

6 of 16

Jenny McCarthy and Melissa McCarthy

Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; D Dipasupil/FilmMagic

Growing up up near each other in Illinois, Jenny helped her cousin, Melissa, land her first TV role on an episode of her NBC sitcom Jenny.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

7 of 16

Julia Roberts and Emma Roberts

Credit: Dave Benett/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Emma Roberts grew up visiting her famous aunt on set, and the two both appeared in the 2010 rom-com Valentine’s Day. (Emma also payed homage to Julia a few years ago on Halloween, when she dressed up as Vivian from Pretty Woman.)

Advertisement
Advertisement

8 of 16

Nicolas Cage, Sofia Coppola, and Jason Schwartzman

Credit: Francois Durand/Getty Images; Rob Kim/Getty Images; Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images

Cousins Cage, Coppola, and Schwartzman are all members of the Coppola family tree, which includes a number of famous filmmakers, actors, and musicians.

Advertisement

9 of 16

Kyra Sedgwick and Edie Sedgwick

Credit: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images; Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

The Closer actress never actually met her cousin, the iconic model, but they share an ancestral middle name: Minturn.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

10 of 16

Jason Sudeikis and George Wendt

Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images; George Pimentel/Getty Images

The Saturday Night Live star’s uncle is best known for playing Norm on Cheers. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

11 of 16

Snoop Dogg, Brandy, and Ray J

Credit: George Pimentel/WireImage; Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images

It’s no secret that Ray J and Brandy are siblings, but they also have a famous first cousin: Snoop Dogg. Snoop and Brandy have even collaborated on the rapper’s song “Special.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

12 of 16

Ira Glass and Philip Glass

Credit: Brad Barket/Getty Images; Pedro Gonzalez Castillo/LatinContent/Getty Images

The NPR host and the composer are cousins who have collaborated on musical performances and This American Life episodes. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

13 of 16

Al Roker and Lenny Kravitz

Credit: Al Pereira/WireImage

Kravitz’s mother is Jeffersons actress Roxie Roker — who happens to be the weatherman’s cousin. "Kids think it's cool," Roker said when Kravitz stopped by the Today Show in 2011.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

14 of 16

Shirley MacLaine and Warren Beatty

Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Both Beaty siblings changed their last name when they became actors, and both have won an Oscar — MacLaine for Best Actress and Beatty for Best Director. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

15 of 16

Liev Schreiber and Pablo Schreiber

Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

The elder Schreiber currently stars on Ray Donovan, while his younger half-brother plays George “Pornstache” Mendez on Orange Is The New Black.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

16 of 16

Tom Cruise and William Mapother

Credit: Adam Pretty/Getty Images; Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Cruise’s cousin Mapother is best known for his role on Lost, but the two have also appeared together in Mission: Impossible II, Minority Report, and Born on the Fourth of July. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next