Ep 1. Hollywood Royalty

In season six, episode one of Finding Your Roots, the show weaves together compelling narratives of individuals who share a common bond- their Hollywood ancestry. Aptly titled "Hollywood Royalty," this episode shines a light on the family trees of three stars of the silver screen- Glenn Close, John Lithgow, and Meryl Streep.

At the center of the episode is the show's host, Henry Louis Gates Jr., an American literary critic, educator, and professor who has carved out a niche for his unique perspective on black history. Gates guides the viewer through each celebrity's ancestral past, illuminating the personal relationships formed with family members from distant generations.

Glenn Close's portion begins with a trip to the Cemetery of the Comforter, a small burial ground in Greenwich Village, where she pays homage to her great-grandfather, a surgeon, who fought to ameliorate the suffering of the poor. Gates then unveils that Close's love of acting is not a recent passion, as he uncovers photographs of her grandfather, a popular vaudeville performer.

Next up is John Lithgow, whose ancestry is particularly intriguing. Gates takes Lithgow on an unexpected journey through time, tracing his ancestry back over three centuries to a notorious Scottish murderer named Andrew Wilson. Lithgow is astonished at this discovery, visibly excited to learn what was previously unknown to him.

Meryl Streep's portion feels like a reunion, as Gates and Streep share a bit of personal history having worked together on the film Iron Jawed Angels. Gates is intrigued by her Irish ancestry, much like his own, and even surprised to find that they share akin family members. The segment reveals the little-known fact that Streep originated from a family of Swiss clockmakers.

The beauty of this episode is the deep dive into each celebrity's past, with each of their ancestries woven together with skill and care. Gates celebrates the resilience of his subjects, as they navigate their own family past while celebs share anecdotes of their families’ experiences and histories.

Every Finding Your Roots episode offers a glimpse into the importance of understanding and exploring the past. The Hollywood Royalty episode is a lighthearted blend of this philosophy, bringing together the stories of three stars whose distant ancestors have left a lasting impact on their modern-day careers.

Overall, Hollywood Royalty makes for an entertaining and informative hour of television, as viewers are introduced to the complicated and inspiring lives of these celebrities. Finding Your Roots is a must-watch for anyone interested in learning more about their own family history and the cultural and historical factors that shaped our world.