Lena Dunham's Surprising Family Connection: Unveiling the Link to Larry David

Lena Dunham Discovers She's Related to Larry David: 'This Is the Hottest Information'

Lena Dunham and Larry David. Getty Images (2)

Lena Dunham, 37, found out on the Tuesday, April 2 episode of the PBS docuseries Finding Your Roots that she is related to Larry David, 76, through her maternal line. Dunham was excited to learn about this family connection.

Larry has multiple long, identical DNA segments in common with you and your mother," shared the show's host, Henry Louis Gates Jr., with Dunham. This indicates that you both have a shared ancestor on your mother's side of the family tree.

Dunham was beyond excited to learn about this discovery.

Lena Dunham, the creator of Girls, was thrilled to meet Larry David, the other L.D., exclaiming, "My husband is going to freak out! This is the hottest information I could have ever gotten."

Since 2021, Dunham has been married to musician Luis Felber, who seems to share her admiration for the Curb Your Enthusiasm star.

Dunham expressed her excitement by saying, "I could not have turned the page and been more delighted. This is incredible."

Finding Your Roots, a show that first aired in 2012, explores the ancestral histories of celebrities. Hosted by scholar Gates Jr., who is 73 years old, the show takes public figures through their "Book of Life" to reveal untold secrets and surprising genealogical connections discovered by experts.

Dunham was surprised to learn that her eighth paternal grandfather, Stephanus van Cortlandt, was actually the first mayor of New York City who was born in the city. Being a native New Yorker, Dunham was happy to discover that her family roots in the beloved city go all the way back to the 17th century.

The writer and director shared with Gates Jr. that she grew up in New York City's SoHo neighborhood, raised by her parents, artists Laurie Simmons and Carroll Dunham. Her childhood in the city had a significant impact on her journey towards becoming a filmmaker.

Dunham shared, "I always felt a strong connection to the fact that my parents had the opportunity to spend a whole day being creative in a room. They made me realize what a special gift it is to have the privilege of pursuing creativity in life."

The episode also explored the ancestral background of another artist's child, actor Michael Douglas. Similar to Dunham, the Fatal Attraction star found out that he has an unexpected cousin in the entertainment industry: Scarlett Johansson.

"That's amazing," exclaimed Douglas, 79, in response to Gates Jr.'s surprising revelation. "I can't wait to see Scarlett next time!"

Gates Jr. is no stranger to these unexpected discoveries. This season on Finding Your Roots, Bob Odenkirk found out he is the 11th cousin of King Charles III, and Ciara learned she is related to Derek Jeter. Previous seasons have uncovered even more shocking revelations, such as Kerry Washington's revelation that she was conceived through a sperm donor and Ben Affleck's controversial reaction to discovering he is descended from slave owners.

Finding Your Roots airs on PBS Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.

Editor's P/S:

The recent episode of Finding Your Roots brought forth exciting revelations for Lena Dunham and Michael Douglas, unearthing unexpected family connections to comedy legend Larry David and actress Scarlett Johansson, respectively. Dunham's thrill at discovering her maternal lineage linked to David is palpable, and Douglas's delight at finding Johansson as a cousin is equally endearing.

The show's host, Henry Louis Gates Jr., continues to unravel the ancestral tapestries of celebrities, revealing fascinating interconnections that transcend the boundaries of fame. The series not only sheds light on the rich histories of individuals but also highlights the universal human experience of belonging and interconnectedness. The discoveries made on Finding Your Roots serve as a reminder that our identities are shaped by the threads of our past, often weaving together unexpected and intriguing narratives.