April 15, 2012
Actor Robert Downey Jr., star of Iron Man, had a hunch that his ancestors came across the Atlantic at least 200 years ago, but he didn't know just how early they set sail until his appearance on PBS's Finding Your Roots [4], hosted by The Root's editor-in-chief Henry Louis Gates Jr.
"I'd have thought like mid-nineteenth century or maybe early 19th-century, but this is significantly earlier," he said. "It's really cool."
Gates set out to trace Downey's genealogy, surprising the actor with his findings. Watch the clip to see what he uncovered. The episode premieres Sunday, April 22, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.
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Watch More Finding Your Roots Clips:
Samuel L. Jackson's Surprising Roots [7]On Finding Your Roots, the actor talks about racism in his youth and learns about his ancestors.
'Finding Your Roots': Tracing the Canadas [8]An absent father left Harlem activist Geoffrey Canada with questions about his paternal ancestry.
Discovering Hollywood Royalty -- Literally [9]Maggie Gyllenhaal learns of her noble ancestor from Henry Louis Gates Jr. on Finding Your Roots.
Martha Stewart's Inherited Profession [10]On Finding Your Roots, Martha Stewart learns that she's not the only craftsman in her family.
A Mega-Church Pastor's Deep Religious Roots [11]On Finding Your Roots, Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores Rick Warren's family legacy.
Ruth Simmons, When Past Meets Present [12]On Finding Your Roots, Ruth Simmons learns about her great-grandfather and a newfound relative.
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