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Finding Your Roots

Hold the Laughter

Season 10 Episode 5 | 52m 09s

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers the roots of comedians Bob Odenkirk and Iliza Shlesinger—two very funny people whose family trees brim with stories that are more drama than comedy. Moving from Napoleonic France to Nazi-occupied Poland to the castle of a European duke, Gates introduces them to relatives who took great risks and overcame enormous hardships for the sake of their families.

Aired: 01/29/24 | Expires: 02/27/24
Corporate support for Season 11 of FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. is provided by Gilead Sciences, Inc., Ancestry® and Johnson & Johnson. Major support is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Support is also provided by Ford Foundation; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; Candace King Weir; by the Inkwell Society together with many of its members; and by public television viewers.
Extras
Watch • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
Stranger Than Fiction Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals inspiring ancestors of novelist Amy Tan & poet Rita Dove.
Preview: S11 E3 | 0:30
Watch • 4:19
Finding Your Roots
Rita Dove's Ancestor Had Run-Ins With the Law
Rita learns about her grandfather's criminal charges and trying adulthood.
Clip: S11 E3 | 4:19
Watch • 4:11
Finding Your Roots
Amy Tan Learns About Her Father's Past in China
Amy discovers records of her father's immigration from China and his many accomplishments.
Clip: S11 E3 | 4:11
Watch • 4:02
Finding Your Roots
The Train Accident in Michael Imperioli's Family History
Michael Imperioli learns about his maternal great grandfather's death as a train worker in New York.
Clip: S11 E2 | 4:02
Watch • 4:03
Finding Your Roots
Joy Behar Discovers Her Grandfather's Immigrant Story
Joy Behar's grandparents move to America and forge a new life.
Clip: S11 E2 | 4:03
Watch • 3:47
Finding Your Roots
Lea Salonga Uncovers Her German Ancestry
Lea Salonga discovers the roots of her maternal great great grandfather, Pedro Malhabor.
Clip: S11 E1 | 3:47
Watch • 4:13
Finding Your Roots
Amanda Seyfried Discovers Ancestor Was an Army Musician
Amanda Seyfried's third great grandfather played the fife and fought for the Union to end slavery
Clip: S11 E1 | 4:13
Watch • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
La Famiglia Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the Italian roots of Joy Behar & Michael Imperioli.
Preview: S11 E2 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
Larger Than Life Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. connects Lea Salonga & Amanda Seyfried to their dramatic ancestors.
Preview: S11 E1 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
Season 11: Inside Look
FINDING YOUR ROOTS returns for a new season of genealogical surprises and DNA revelations.
Preview: S11 | 0:30
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  • Finding Your Roots Season 9
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  • Finding Your Roots Season 7
  • Finding Your Roots Season 6
  • Finding Your Roots Season 5
  • Finding Your Roots Season 4
  • Finding Your Roots Season 3
  • Finding Your Roots Season 2
  • Finding Your Roots Season 1
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Stranger Than Fiction
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals inspiring ancestors of novelist Amy Tan & poet Rita Dove.
Episode: S11 E3 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Larger Than Life
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. connects Lea Salonga & Amanda Seyfried to their dramatic ancestors.
Episode: S11 E1 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
La Famiglia
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the Italian roots of Joy Behar & Michael Imperioli.
Episode: S11 E2 | 52:10
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Viewers Like You
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. solves mysteries for 3 everyday Americans chosen to be guests.
Episode: S10 E10 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
In the Blood
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers the surprising roots of Michael Douglas & Lena Dunham.
Episode: S10 E9 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Mean Streets
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps family trees of comedian Tracy Morgan & actor Anthony Ramos.
Episode: S10 E8 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
The Brick Wall Falls
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shares ancestry with actor Danielle Brooks & singer Dionne Warwick.
Episode: S10 E7 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Far and Away
Sunny Hostin and Jesse Williams discover ancestors from very diverse places.
Episode: S10 E6 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Buried Secrets
Sammy Hagar and Ed O’Neill discover the dramatic stories hidden within their own roots.
Episode: S10 E4 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Fathers and Sons
LeVar Burton & Wes Studi grew up fatherless, haunted by questions about their family trees
Episode: S10 E3 | 52:09