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Finding Your Roots
The Butterfly Effect
Season 11
Episode 8
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.
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of married actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard.
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets musician Rubén Blades & journalist Natalie Morales.
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the ancestry of notable chefs José Andrés & Sean Sherman.
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the ancestry of actor Sharon Stone & model Chrissy Teigen.
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals inspiring ancestors of novelist Amy Tan & poet Rita Dove.
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the Italian roots of Joy Behar & Michael Imperioli.
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. connects Lea Salonga & Amanda Seyfried to their dramatic ancestors.
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. solves mysteries for 3 everyday Americans chosen to be guests.
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers the surprising roots of Michael Douglas & Lena Dunham.
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps family trees of comedian Tracy Morgan & actor Anthony Ramos.
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shares ancestry with actor Danielle Brooks & singer Dionne Warwick.