Finding My Roots
In a unique and highly emotional episode, actor Laurence Fishburne is joined by scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr.—who finds himself a guest on his own show for the first time. Both men have been haunted by profound family mysteries for years. Cutting-edge DNA detective work will solve those mysteries—introducing Laurence and Henry to ancestors whose names they have longed to hear.
Episodes
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Finding My Roots
S11 E10 - 52m 10s
In a unique and highly emotional episode, actor Laurence Fishburne is joined by scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr.—who finds himself a guest on his own show for the first time. Both men have been haunted by profound family mysteries for years. Cutting-edge DNA detective work will solve those mysteries—introducing Laurence and Henry to ancestors whose names they have longed to hear.
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Moving On Up
S11 E9 - 52m 10s
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets actor Sheryl Lee Ralph and historian Lonnie Bunch—two African Americans whose ancestors broke boundaries as they moved from slavery to freedom. Traveling from plantations in the south to cities in the north, Gates uses his detective skills to piece together the lives of women and men who survived unimaginable ordeals—and emerged to forge thriving families.
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The Butterfly Effect
S11 E8 - 52m 10s
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actors Debra Messing & Melanie Lynskey to ancestors who made bold decisions that forever reshaped their family trees. Moving from shtetls in Eastern Europe to a fruit stand in NY City to the wilds of New Zealand, Gates introduces his guests to relatives who took great risks, overcame enormous hardships—and unwittingly transformed the lives of their descendants.
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The Ties That Bind
S11 E7 - 52m 10s
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard—a married couple who discover that their ancestors had some remarkable similarities. In stories that span continents and centuries, Gates introduces Kristen and Dax to the soldiers, settlers, and criminals who make up their roots, allowing his guests to understand themselves—and their families--as never before.
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Latin Roots
S11 E6 - 52m 10s
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps musician Rubén Blades & journalist Natalie Morales uncover their hidden roots in Latin America, revealing secrets that their ancestors went to great lengths to conceal. Traveling from Puerto Rico to Columbia to Brazil, Gates & his guests recover long-lost family stories—meet heroes and villains--and celebrate the virtue of accepting one’s relatives whoever they may be.
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Family Recipes
S11 E5 - 52m 10s
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family trees of celebrity chefs José Andrés & Sean Sherman—two men who have combined culinary skills with profound humanitarian goals. Traveling from small-town Spain to Native American lands in the Dakotas, Gates explores where these qualities came from, revealing that the ancestors of José & Sean have hidden connections to key moments in history—and to food.
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Dreamers One And All
S11 E4 - 52m 10s
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets actor Sharon Stone & model Chrissy Teigen—two stars who found fame when they were young & lived much of their lives in the limelight, knowing little about their roots. Gates reveals they aren’t the first people in their families who dared to dream big, tracing lineages from Eastern Europe to Medieval France to rural Thailand.
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Stranger Than Fiction
S11 E3 - 52m 10s
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of two award-winning writers: novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove, tracing lineages that run from a plantation in Maryland to a speakeasy in Washington, DC to a village in central China. Along the way, Amy and Rita reimagine themselves as they learn the true stories of the people who laid the groundwork for their success—and inspired their art.
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La Famiglia
S11 E2 - 52m 10s
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family trees of talk show host Joy Behar and actor Michael Imperioli—two Americans whose roots stretch back to small towns in Calabria, Italy. Joy and Michael’s families lived in these towns for centuries, but their stories were lost on the journey to America. Gates reveals the challenges that their ancestors faced—and overcame—on both sides of the Atlantic.
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Larger Than Life
S11 E1 - 52m 10s
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actors Lea Salonga and Amanda Seyfried to ancestors who are every bit as dramatic as the characters they’ve played on stage and screen. Moving from a naval base in the Philippines to a small town bakery in Pennsylvania to steamships on the Atlantic Ocean, Lea and Amanda hear stories of relatives who survived wars, murders, and heart-wrenching ordeals.
Extras + Features
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Joy Behar Discovers Her Grandfather's Immigrant Story
S11 E2 - 4m 3s
Joy Behar's grandfather sought a new life in America, but after only four years moved back to Calabria, Italy in 1907. He then married her grandmother, Francesca. He ultimately moved back to Pennsylvania and left her behind, where he was able to make enough money to send back for her. Francesca met him there in 1911 where they had their first child, Joy's mother, but Francesca passed away shortly.
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The Train Accident in Michael Imperioli's Family History
S11 E2 - 4m 2s
Michael's maternal grandfather, Alberto Luzzi, was born in New York City in June, 1914. Alberto had a difficult childhood due to the early passing of his father, Michael's great grandfather, who died in an accident cleaning trains for the transit system. Michael's great grandfather grew up in Calabria, Italy, before moving to America after getting married.
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La Famiglia Preview
S11 E2 - 30s
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family trees of talk show host Joy Behar and actor Michael Imperioli—two Americans whose roots stretch back to small towns in Calabria, Italy. Joy and Michael’s families lived in these towns for centuries, but their stories were lost on the journey to America. Gates reveals the challenges that their ancestors faced—and overcame—on both sides of the Atlantic.
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Lea Salonga Uncovers Her German Ancestry
S11 E1 - 3m 47s
Lea Salonga has relatives who believe her maternal great great grandfather, Pedro Malhabor, was a German physicist. He arrived to the Philippines in the early 1870s.
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Larger Than Life Preview
S11 E1 - 30s
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actors Lea Salonga and Amanda Seyfried to ancestors who are every bit as dramatic as the characters they’ve played on stage and screen. Moving from a naval base in the Philippines to a small town bakery in Pennsylvania to steamships on the Atlantic Ocean, Lea and Amanda hear stories of relatives who survived wars, murders, and heart-wrenching ordeals.
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Amanda Seyfried Discovers Ancestor Was an Army Musician
S11 E1 - 4m 13s
Amanda's third great grandfather, Peter Friesell, was living in Pennsylvania with his wife Lydia and their daughter in 1860. He voluntarily enlisted in the Civil War to fight for the Union to end slavery. He ultimately served as a musician, playing the fife. He risked his life and survived.
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Season 11: Inside Look
S11 - 30s
Renowned scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. returns for a new season of FINDING YOUR ROOTS. Using genealogical detective work and cutting-edge DNA analysis, Gates guides twenty compelling guests deep into their family trees, revealing surprising stories that transcend borders, illuminating an American root system fortified by its diversity.
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Season 11: Extended Trailer
S11 - 3m 13s
Renowned scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. returns for a new season of FINDING YOUR ROOTS. Using genealogical detective work and cutting-edge DNA analysis, Gates guides twenty compelling guests deep into their family trees, revealing surprising stories that transcend borders, illuminating an American root system fortified by its diversity.
Schedule
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Finding Your Roots
Larger Than Life
Saturday
May 24
1 Hour
Research into the ancestry of singer Lea Salonga and actress Amanda Seyfried reveals relatives who survived heart-wrenching ordeals. -
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Finding Your Roots
Larger Than Life
Sunday
May 25
1 Hour
Research into the ancestry of singer Lea Salonga and actress Amanda Seyfried reveals relatives who survived heart-wrenching ordeals. -
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Finding Your Roots
Larger Than Life
Sunday
May 25
1 Hour
Research into the ancestry of singer Lea Salonga and actress Amanda Seyfried reveals relatives who survived heart-wrenching ordeals. -
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Finding Your Roots
Larger Than Life
Monday
May 26
1 Hour
Research into the ancestry of singer Lea Salonga and actress Amanda Seyfried reveals relatives who survived heart-wrenching ordeals. -
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Finding Your Roots
Larger Than Life
Monday
May 26
1 Hour
Research into the ancestry of singer Lea Salonga and actress Amanda Seyfried reveals relatives who survived heart-wrenching ordeals. -
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Finding Your Roots
Stranger Than Fiction
Tuesday
May 27
1 Hour
Traveling across China and the American South to reveal the ancestry of novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove. -
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Finding Your Roots
Stranger Than Fiction
Tuesday
May 27
1 Hour
Traveling across China and the American South to reveal the ancestry of novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove. -
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Finding Your Roots
Stranger Than Fiction
Wednesday
May 28
1 Hour
Traveling across China and the American South to reveal the ancestry of novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove. -
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Finding Your Roots
Stranger Than Fiction
Wednesday
May 28
1 Hour
Traveling across China and the American South to reveal the ancestry of novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove. -
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Finding Your Roots
Stranger Than Fiction
Wednesday
May 28
1 Hour
Traveling across China and the American South to reveal the ancestry of novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove. -
Image
Finding Your Roots
Stranger Than Fiction
Wednesday
May 28
1 Hour
Traveling across China and the American South to reveal the ancestry of novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove. -
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Finding Your Roots
Stranger Than Fiction
Saturday
May 31
1 Hour
Traveling across China and the American South to reveal the ancestry of novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove. -
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Finding Your Roots
Stranger Than Fiction
Sunday
Jun 1
1 Hour
Traveling across China and the American South to reveal the ancestry of novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove.
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