Season 3

Finding Your RootsSeason 3

2016
10 Episodes

Dr. Gates explores the genealogy of celebrities using the records left behind and DNA technology.

Episodes

The Stories We Tell
S03E01

The Stories We Tell

Discover the unsolved mysteries behind the family stories of political organizer Donna Brazile, actor Ty Burrell and artist Kara Walker as they learn how the legacy of slavery has shaped their identities.

05 Jan 201660m
The Irish Factor
S03E02

The Irish Factor

Explore the shared Irish ancestry of three powerful social commentators of our times, Bill Maher, Soledad O'Brien, and Bill O'Reilly.

12 Jan 201660m
In Search Of Freedom
S03E03

In Search Of Freedom

Learn how the ancestors of Maya Rudolph, Shonda Rhimes and Keenen Ivory Wayans struggled for freedom, and how each of these cultural trailblazers gain a new understanding of how they fit into this proud trajectory.

19 Jan 201660m
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S03E04

Tragedy + Time = Comedy

Uncover a history of tragedies and triumphs in the families of three of America’s funniest men–Jimmy Kimmel, Norman Lear and Bill Hader—as they learn how comedy truly has its place in all aspects of life.

26 Jan 201660m
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S03E05

Visionaries

Discover how the ancestors of business mogul Richard Branson and architects Maya Lin and Frank Gehry took audacious risks to create opportunities, and how their luck, ingenuity and chutzpah was passed on to these three visionaries.

02 Feb 201660m
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S03E06

War Stories

Patricia Arquette, Senator John McCain, and Julianne Moore explore their genealogical heritage with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

09 Feb 201660m
Family Reunions
S03E07

Family Reunions

Uncover family mysteries about two legends of hip hop, Sean Combs and LL Cool J, through the use of DNA technology, which reveals information that shakes their very foundations.

16 Feb 201660m
The Pioneers
S03E08

The Pioneers

Discover how Neil Patrick Harris, Gloria Steinem and Sandra Cisneros are connected to pioneers who broke new ground and paved the way for their modern day descendants to continue shaping our culture.

23 Feb 201660m
The Long Way Home
S03E09

The Long Way Home

Discover how actress Julianna Margulies, author Azar Nafisi and chef Lidia Bastianich are bound together by their ancestors’ singular and deeply human desire to preserve their most cherished traditions.

01 Mar 201660m
Maps of Stars
S03E10

Maps of Stars

Learn how Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow, who last shared the screen together in 1969, also share a history of tragic deaths in their families that played major roles in shaping future generations.

08 Mar 201660m