Unbelievable!! Kevin Bacon and his wife, Kyra Sedgwick, seem to have made a surprising discovery about their ancestry. In 2012, during an episode of the PBS show “Finding Your Roots,” hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., it was revealed to Kyra Sedgwick that she and her husband, Kevin Bacon, are distantly related. Specifically, they are ninth cousins once removed! The footage has recently resurfaced as the couple is currently filming a movie together.
Shocking Revelation
The revelation came as a surprise, though Sedgwick had seemingly harbored a suspicion that such a connection might exist. Upon hearing the news, Sedgwick exclaimed, “See. I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!” She then added, with apparent relief, “As long as we’re not first cousins, it’s fine.”
Despite the unexpected familial link, which arose after they had already met, fallen in love, and married, there has been no indication that this discovery has negatively impacted their long-standing relationship. They met while working on the movie “Lemon Sky” in 1987 and married in 1988.
During the same episode of “Finding Your Roots“, Kevin Bacon also learned about other interesting connections in his family tree. He was informed that he and actor Brad Pitt are 13th cousins twice removed, and that he shares a common ancestor with former President Barack Obama, making them 12th cousins three times removed. Bacon jokingly responded to this news by saying, “No kidding. I knew I wasn’t getting enough respect.”
The fact that Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick are distant cousins came as a surprising, and somewhat amusing, discovery during a genealogical exploration on a television program. It highlights the interconnectedness of family histories, particularly within populations with shared ancestry. The couple, who have been married for over three decades, took the news in stride, with Sedgwick expressing her comfort that the relationship was not closer than ninth cousins once removed. This revelation became a widely reported and intriguing anecdote about the beloved Hollywood couple.
Their Enduring Connection
The enduring relationship between Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick has long been admired in Hollywood, a testament to their strong bond that has weathered the often-turbulent waters of fame. Their initial meeting on the set of “Lemon Sky” sparked a connection that quickly blossomed into a deep and lasting love. They married just a year later, embarking on a life together that has seen them raise two children, Travis and Sosie Bacon, both of whom have also pursued careers in the entertainment industry.
Throughout their marriage, Bacon and Sedgwick have consistently supported each other’s professional endeavors while maintaining a strong sense of family. They have often spoken publicly about the importance of communication and mutual respect in their relationship, offering a refreshing perspective on making a marriage work in the demanding world of Hollywood. Their down-to-earth demeanor and genuine affection for one another have made them a beloved couple in the public eye.
Six Degrees of…Well, You Know…
Interestingly, the “six degrees of Kevin Bacon” game, which playfully connects seemingly unrelated individuals to the actor through their film roles, has taken on an added layer of complexity given his actual familial connections to other celebrities and even a former president. This genealogical exploration added an unexpected real-life twist to the pop culture phenomenon that bears his name.
Ultimately, the story of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick discovering their distant relation is a testament to the intricate web of human ancestry. However, their enduring love story remains the central narrative, highlighting that their connection as husband and wife far transcends any distant familial ties uncovered later in life. Their reaction to the news was a blend of surprise and amusement, reinforcing their grounded and resilient approach to life’s unexpected turns.
As mentioned before, this episode of “Finding Your Roots” first aired on April 6, 2012. It is re-airing tomorrow night. So, while the information itself isn’t new, the renewed attention to the couple and their lineage discovery could be due to a variety of factors, most likely the re-airing of the episode. However, for those readers (myself among them) who may not have known about this, it’s certainly an interesting bit of trivia if nothing else.
