Lena Dunham and Larry David.Photo:Birdie Thompson/Variety via Getty; Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty
Birdie Thompson/Variety via Getty; Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty
Lena Dunhamreceived one of the biggest surprises of her life when she discovered her familial connection toLarry David.
During this week’s episode ofFinding Your Roots,hostHenry Louis Gates Jr. revealed to Dunham that David, who appeared on the PBS docuseries’ fourth season, is her cousin on her mother’s side. TheGirlscreator expressed shock and joy upon learning the news.
“My husband’s going to freak out! It’s Larry David! The other L.D.!” she exclaimed, adding, “This is thehottestinformation I could have ever gotten.”
Gates explained that, based on the show’s DNA analysis of its guests, theCurb Your Enthusiasmcreator shares “multiple long identical segments of DNA” with Dunham and her mom,Laurie Simmons.
“This means that you share at least one common ancestor somewhere on your mother’s side of your family tree,” he continued.
Still stunned, Dunham said she couldn’t have been more “delighted,” adding, “This is incredible. You saved the best for last.”
Lena Dunham on ‘Finding Your Roots.'.PBS
PBS
Dunham’s ties to David are the latest in a long list of revelations onFinding Your Roots.Since debuting in 2012, the docuseries has uncovered the genealogies of many celebrities.
Edward Nortondiscovered that he andJulia Robertsare genetic cousins, andKerry Washingtonlearned she was conceived through a sperm donor. Meanwhile, this season alone,Better Call SaulstarBob Odenkirkfound outKing Charlesis his 11th cousin andCiararealizedDerek Jeteris a relative.
“When you spit in that test tube, you never know what’s going to pop out,” Gates acknowledged to PEOPLE in February.
“It turns out that the stories of non-celebrities are just as riveting, just as emotional and just as challenging,” Gates says.
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Finding Your Rootsairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on PBS
source: people.com
