© 2025 Ideastream Public Media

1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 916-6100 | (877) 399-3307

WKSU is a public media service licensed to Kent State University and operated by Ideastream Public Media.
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Access to this video is benefit for member through
Sign-In
Finding Your Roots

Larger Than Life

Season 11 Episode 1 | 52m 10s

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actors Lea Salonga and Amanda Seyfried to ancestors who are every bit as dramatic as the characters they’ve played on stage and screen. Moving from a naval base in the Philippines to a small town bakery in Pennsylvania to steamships on the Atlantic Ocean, Lea and Amanda hear stories of relatives who survived wars, murders, and heart-wrenching ordeals.

Aired: 01/06/25 | Expires: 02/04/25
Corporate support for Season 11 of FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. is provided by Gilead Sciences, Inc., Ancestry® and Johnson & Johnson. Major support is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Support is also provided by Ford Foundation; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; Candace King Weir; by the Inkwell Society together with many of its members; and by public television viewers.
Extras
Watch • 4:05
Finding Your Roots
Rubén Blades Traces His Panamanian Heritage
Rubén learns about the difficult life of his African ancestor in Panama on his mother's side.
Clip: S11 E6 | 4:05
Watch • 3:59
Finding Your Roots
The Complex Chapter in Natalie Morales' Family History
Natalie learns about her maternal third great grandfather, Domingos.
Clip: S11 E6 | 3:59
Watch • 4:41
Finding Your Roots
José Andrés Discovers His Ancestors Were Bakers
José discovers his paternal great-great grandmother was abandoned and given to nuns as a baby.
Clip: S11 E5 | 4:41
Watch • 4:07
Finding Your Roots
Sean Sherman Learns About A Tragic Past
Sean learns of his ancestor who was sent to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
Clip: S11 E5 | 4:07
Watch • 4:13
Finding Your Roots
The Hardships in Sharon Stone's Ancestry
Sharon learns about the hardships endured by her mother and her paternal ancestors.
Clip: S11 E4 | 4:13
Watch • 4:07
Finding Your Roots
Chrissy Teigen Discovers Very Unique Lost Family History
Chrissy learns the true roots of her grandmother Ruth, and details of her great grandparents lives.
Clip: S11 E4 | 4:07
Watch • 4:19
Finding Your Roots
Rita Dove's Ancestor Had Run-Ins With the Law
Rita learns about her grandfather's criminal charges and trying adulthood.
Clip: S11 E3 | 4:19
Watch • 4:11
Finding Your Roots
Amy Tan Learns About Her Father's Past in China
Amy discovers records of her father's immigration from China and his many accomplishments.
Clip: S11 E3 | 4:11
Watch • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
Stranger Than Fiction Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals inspiring ancestors of novelist Amy Tan & poet Rita Dove.
Preview: S11 E3 | 0:30
Watch • 4:03
Finding Your Roots
Joy Behar Discovers Her Grandfather's Immigrant Story
Joy Behar's grandparents move to America and forge a new life.
Clip: S11 E2 | 4:03
All
  • All
  • Finding Your Roots Season 11
  • Finding Your Roots Season 10
  • Finding Your Roots Season 9
  • Finding Your Roots Season 8
  • Finding Your Roots Season 7
  • Finding Your Roots Season 6
  • Finding Your Roots Season 5
  • Finding Your Roots Season 4
  • Finding Your Roots Season 3
  • Finding Your Roots Season 2
  • Finding Your Roots Season 1
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
The Ties That Bind
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of married actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard.
Episode: S11 E7 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Latin Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets musician Rubén Blades & journalist Natalie Morales.
Episode: S11 E6 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Family Recipes
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the ancestry of notable chefs José Andrés & Sean Sherman.
Episode: S11 E5 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Dreamers One And All
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the ancestry of actor Sharon Stone & model Chrissy Teigen.
Episode: S11 E4 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Stranger Than Fiction
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals inspiring ancestors of novelist Amy Tan & poet Rita Dove.
Episode: S11 E3 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
La Famiglia
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the Italian roots of Joy Behar & Michael Imperioli.
Episode: S11 E2 | 52:10
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Viewers Like You
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. solves mysteries for 3 everyday Americans chosen to be guests.
Episode: S10 E10 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
In the Blood
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers the surprising roots of Michael Douglas & Lena Dunham.
Episode: S10 E9 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Mean Streets
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps family trees of comedian Tracy Morgan & actor Anthony Ramos.
Episode: S10 E8 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
The Brick Wall Falls
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shares ancestry with actor Danielle Brooks & singer Dionne Warwick.
Episode: S10 E7 | 52:09