Jesse Williamsis in for a surprise when he learns the truth about his great-great grandfather in the newest episode of PBS’sFinding Your Roots.In PEOPLE’sexclusive sneak peek at Tuesday’s episode, host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals to theGrey’s Anatomyalum that Williams’ great-great grandfather Isaac was a Black man “almost certainly born into slavery.”“But as the census shows, when freedom came, Isaac transformed his life,” Gates Jr. adds. “He learned to read, became a landowner, married and raised 10 children.”For Williams, 42, who taught African and American history in low-income public schools for several years prior to becoming a successful actor, the discovery holds special significance.Jesse Williams in Los Angeles, California in January 2024.Unique Nicole/FilmMagic“Wow. Got a huge family. All this property. Can read and write. This is an incredible turn of events despite just unfathomable opposition,” says theOnly Murders in the Buildingactor. “I feel lucky to be able to put a point on it and be able to name it and have a place on the map to point to something to explore further and share with my children.““It’s so much different to be able to have any level of — any level of — precision, any level of actual naming, so that I can sit with it and think about it and say his name and take them with me now,” Williams adds. “It’s a big deal.”The 10th season ofFinding Your Rootsso farhas been full of revelations for its guests. In the prior episode,Bob Odenkirklearned that in addition to being genetic cousins withNathan Lane, he’s related toKing Charles— a “crazy” connection.Bob Odenkirk learned in the most recent episode of ‘Finding Your Roots’ that’s related to King Charles.Corine Solberg/Getty, Victoria Jones - Pool/Getty“I’m an American. I’m not a monarchist. I don’t believe in, uh,that,” Odenkirk, 61, said to Gates Jr., before learning of his connection to the British monarch. “You know, I feel like it’s a little twisted. I understand why society built itself around monarchs and leaders, and they passed them down through generations.“Likewise,Iliza Schlesingerlearned in the same episode she was genetic cousins with friendSarah Silverman.“My first thought was like, but she’s from New Hampshire!” Schlesinger, 40, quipped. “Oh, my god. That’s really cool.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Finding Your Rootsairs at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesdays on PBS.
Jesse Williamsis in for a surprise when he learns the truth about his great-great grandfather in the newest episode of PBS’sFinding Your Roots.
In PEOPLE’sexclusive sneak peek at Tuesday’s episode, host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals to theGrey’s Anatomyalum that Williams’ great-great grandfather Isaac was a Black man “almost certainly born into slavery.”
“But as the census shows, when freedom came, Isaac transformed his life,” Gates Jr. adds. “He learned to read, became a landowner, married and raised 10 children.”
For Williams, 42, who taught African and American history in low-income public schools for several years prior to becoming a successful actor, the discovery holds special significance.
Jesse Williams in Los Angeles, California in January 2024.Unique Nicole/FilmMagic
Unique Nicole/FilmMagic
“Wow. Got a huge family. All this property. Can read and write. This is an incredible turn of events despite just unfathomable opposition,” says theOnly Murders in the Buildingactor. “I feel lucky to be able to put a point on it and be able to name it and have a place on the map to point to something to explore further and share with my children.”
“It’s so much different to be able to have any level of — any level of — precision, any level of actual naming, so that I can sit with it and think about it and say his name and take them with me now,” Williams adds. “It’s a big deal.”
The 10th season ofFinding Your Rootsso farhas been full of revelations for its guests. In the prior episode,Bob Odenkirklearned that in addition to being genetic cousins withNathan Lane, he’s related toKing Charles— a “crazy” connection.
Bob Odenkirk learned in the most recent episode of ‘Finding Your Roots’ that’s related to King Charles.Corine Solberg/Getty, Victoria Jones - Pool/Getty
Corine Solberg/Getty, Victoria Jones - Pool/Getty
“I’m an American. I’m not a monarchist. I don’t believe in, uh,that,” Odenkirk, 61, said to Gates Jr., before learning of his connection to the British monarch. “You know, I feel like it’s a little twisted. I understand why society built itself around monarchs and leaders, and they passed them down through generations.”
Likewise,Iliza Schlesingerlearned in the same episode she was genetic cousins with friendSarah Silverman.
“My first thought was like, but she’s from New Hampshire!” Schlesinger, 40, quipped. “Oh, my god. That’s really cool.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Finding Your Rootsairs at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesdays on PBS.
source: people.com
