Culture

Finding Your Roots

For more than a decade, renowned Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has helped to expand America’s sense of itself, stimulating a national conversation about identity with humor, wisdom, and compassion. Professor Gates has explored the ancestry of dozens of influential people from diverse backgrounds, taking millions of viewers deep into the past to reveal the connections that bind us all.

Finding My Roots

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.

Episodes

  • Finding My Roots: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • Moving On Up: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • The Butterfly Effect: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • The Ties That Bind: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • Latin Roots: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • Family Recipes: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • Dreamers One And All: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • Stranger Than Fiction: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • La Famiglia: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • Larger Than Life: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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

  • Joy Behar Discovers Her Grandfather's Immigrant Story: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • The Train Accident in Michael Imperioli's Family History: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • La Famiglia Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • Lea Salonga Uncovers Her German Ancestry: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • Larger Than Life Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • Amanda Seyfried Discovers Ancestor Was an Army Musician: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • Season 11: Inside Look: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • Season 11: Extended Trailer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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

  • Image
    Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Larger Than Life: TVSS: Iconic

    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.
  • Image
    Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Larger Than Life: TVSS: Iconic

    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.
  • Image
    Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Larger Than Life: TVSS: Iconic

    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.
  • Image
    Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Larger Than Life: TVSS: Iconic

    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.
  • Image
    Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Larger Than Life: TVSS: Iconic

    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.
  • Image
    Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Stranger Than Fiction: TVSS: Iconic

    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.
  • Image
    Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Stranger Than Fiction: TVSS: Iconic

    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.
  • Image
    Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Stranger Than Fiction: TVSS: Iconic

    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 With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Stranger Than Fiction: TVSS: Iconic

    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 With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Stranger Than Fiction: TVSS: Iconic

    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 With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Stranger Than Fiction: TVSS: Iconic

    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 With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Stranger Than Fiction: TVSS: Iconic

    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.
  • Image
    Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Stranger Than Fiction: TVSS: Iconic

    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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