Kyra Sedgwick's Reaction To Discovering Kevin Bacon Was Her Cousin
Actress Kyra Sedgwick shares her reaction to learning that her husband, Kevin Bacon, is her cousin.
Kyra Sedgwick thought she was signing up for a normal family-history detour on PBS’s Finding Your Roots. Instead, she walked straight into the kind of plot twist that makes you stare at your own last name like, wait a second, what?
In the episode, Sedgwick dug through written records and DNA testing to map her ancestry, and that’s when the show dropped the surprise: she and her husband, Kevin Bacon, share a familial connection. Not just “we’re both famous,” not just “Hollywood runs in the genes,” but a real cousin-type link that turns a long marriage into a new kind of trivia night.
And the wild part? Sedgwick acted like it was barely a blip, which somehow makes the whole thing even funnier.

When the Finding Your Roots episode started unpacking Sedgwick’s genealogy, she was already dealing with the awkwardness of being connected to Kevin Bacon in a way she hadn’t expected.
Kyra Sedgwick, the accomplished actress known for her roles in films like "The Closer" and "Born on the Fourth of July," had an intriguing revelation during her appearance on the PBS TV series "Finding Your Roots." In an episode that delved deep into her family history and genealogy, Sedgwick discovered an unexpected connection between herself and her husband, Kevin Bacon.
The revelation came as part of the show's exploration of Sedgwick's ancestry through written records and DNA testing, which aimed to shed light on her familial roots and connections. As the episode unfolded, Sedgwick learned that she and Bacon, her husband of many years, share a familial bond.
Despite the surprising nature of the discovery, Sedgwick remained composed and unfazed by the revelation. In interviews following the episode, she expressed a sense of acceptance and even amusement at the connection, stating that she "wasn't surprised" when she found out about the familial link between herself and Bacon.
For Sedgwick, the discovery served as a reminder of the complex and interconnected nature of family ties, showcasing how genealogy and ancestry can reveal unexpected connections between individuals. Despite the unconventional twist in their familial relationship, Sedgwick and Bacon continue to navigate their marriage with grace and humor, embracing the quirks and surprises that life—and genealogy—have to offer.
Then the DNA results and old records basically confirmed it, and Sedgwick’s “not surprised” reaction made the whole situation feel even more unreal.
Kyra Sedgwick's journey into her family's roots took an unexpected turn when she discovered a surprising connection between herself and her husband, Kevin Bacon.
The accomplished actress, renowned for her roles in "The Closer" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," among others, has been married to Hollywood stalwart Kevin Bacon for almost 36 years. Bacon, famous for his iconic performances in films like "Footloose" and "Apollo 13," shares a longstanding partnership and family with Sedgwick.
Their connection deepened on a recent episode of PBS's "Finding Your Roots," a show dedicated to uncovering the ancestral stories of celebrities through historical records and DNA analysis. In a twist of fate, Sedgwick learned that her beloved spouse, Kevin Bacon, is actually her distant cousin.
Despite the surprising revelation, Sedgwick took the news in stride, demonstrating the resilience and humor that have defined her career and personal life. The unexpected familial link serves as another chapter in their enduring love story, adding a unique layer of depth to their shared journey.
It’s similar to the cousin debate over sharing Thanksgiving recipes with a catering cousin.
The complicated part is that this discovery turns their marriage, which they’ve built for nearly 36 years, into a story with a brand-new family angle.
In a fascinating twist of fate unveiled during a 2013 episode of "Finding Your Roots," Kyra Sedgwick discovered that her husband, Kevin Bacon, is actually her ninth cousin once removed. While such news might prompt astonishment or even disbelief in many, Sedgwick remained remarkably composed.
Reflecting on the revelation during a 2017 interview, Sedgwick remarked, "I figured I was going to be related to Kevin Bacon—I mean, most white people are related, ultimately." Her nonchalant response suggests a level of acceptance and humor in the face of unexpected familial ties.
When the news was officially disclosed to the couple by host Henry Louis Gates Jr., Sedgwick's reaction was a blend of amusement and affirmation. "See. I knew it! I knew it!" she exclaimed, injecting a touch of lightheartedness into the revelation. Her subsequent quip, "As long as we’re not first cousins, it’s fine," further underscores her ability to find humor in the situation.
After that cousin connection landed on TV, Sedgwick and Bacon kept going with grace and humor, like the family tree was just another houseguest.</p>
In what appeared almost predestined to Sedgwick, she remained unfazed by the revelation.
The next time they talk family, Kevin Bacon is basically her “relative” in the most hilariously literal way.
Want another family blowup, read why they refused to share their secret BBQ sauce recipe.