Edward Norton discovers POCAHONTAS is 12th great grandmother and learns ancestors once owned slaves
Edward Norton discovered that he was a direct descendant of Pocahontas while making a guest appearance during an episode of the hit PBS show Finding Your Roots, which will air on Tuesday.
The Fight Club actor, 53, also learned from presenter and historian, Henry Louis Gates Jr., that his ancestors were once slave owners, prompting the star to admit that “these things are uncomfortable.” , reported. Meter.
The Golden Globe winner, who most recently starred in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, kicked off the popular show’s ninth season, which takes a closer look at celebrities and their family ancestry.
A revelation: Edward Norton, 53, found out he is related to Pocahontas during Tuesday’s episode of Finding Your Roots airing on PBS; seen in October 2022 in London
The award winner was surprised to learn of his ancestral lineage, especially learning that his 12th great-grandmother was none other than Pocahontas, who had a monumental impact on history and was linked to the colonial settlement of Jamestown in Virginia.
“This is as far back as it gets, unless you’re a Viking,” the actor expressed in the episode, according to NBC Philadelphia.
The Primal Fear star further added that it “makes you realize what a small part of human history you are.”
According to the publication, Edward was a direct descendant of Pocahontas through her marriage to tobacco planter, John Rolfe, which took place in 1614. Three years later, she reportedly passed away in 1617.
Reaction: Upon learning about his ancestral roots, the Golden Globe winner said during Tuesday’s episode: “It makes you realize what a small part of human history you are”; seen in October 2022 in London
History: Edward was a direct descendant of Pocahontas through her marriage to tobacco planter, John Rolfe, which took place in 1614, NBC Philadelphia reported; a statue of pocahontas
Edward discovered additional information, which he admitted left him feeling ‘uncomfortable’.
According to Metro, the actor was later shown a photo of a husband and wife, along with their five daughters, the eldest of whom was only ten years old.
The Finding Your Roots host and Harvard professor informed the Oscar nominee that his ancestors owned the family as slaves in the past.
Edward spoke about his feelings upon learning the information, expressing to Henry that “…these things are uncomfortable and you should be uncomfortable with them.” Everyone should feel uncomfortable with that.
He then added: “It’s not a judgment on you and your own life, but a judgment on the history of this country.”
Additional story: During the episode, the Oscar nominee was informed by host Henry Louis Gates Jr. that his ancestors were once slave owners; seen in December 2022 in New York
Latest episode: Edward guest-starred to kick off Finding Your Roots season 9 during an episode that airs on Tuesday; seen starring in Glass Onion on Netflix
“It must be recognized first and foremost, and then it must be faced,” Edward stated.
“When you get away from the census counts and personalize things, you’re talking about possibly a husband and wife with five girls, and these girls are slaves. Born into slavery,’ declared the American History X star,
He then added emotionally, “Again, when you read ‘eight-year slave,’ you just want to die.”
The first episode of the ninth season of PBS’s Finding Your Roots, which takes a closer look at the ancestry of Edward and Pretty Woman actress Julia Roberts, will air on the network Tuesday.
The series first premiered in 2012 and has hosted a number of celebrity guests in the past, including Lupita Nyong’o, Issa Rae, Jordan Peele, and Glenn Close.
In the upcoming season, viewers will have the opportunity to see not only Edward on the screen, but also other stars such as Claire Danes and Sofia Vergara’s husband, Joe Manganiello.
Emotional: Reflecting on the photo shown to him, Edward said, “Again, when you read ‘eight year slave,’ you just want to die.”