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Finding Your Roots

Artistic Roots

Season 12 Episode 8 | 52m 09s

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the roots of filmmaker Spike Lee and Broadway superstar Kristin Chenoweth, uncovering ancestors who made bold decisions to lay the groundwork for their success. Moving from the Texas frontier to World War One battlefields to plantations in the old South, Gates introduces his guests to the women and men who used their creativity to build a future for their families.

Aired: 02/23/26 | Expires: 03/26/26
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 • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
Family Harmonies Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces musicians Flea and Lizzo to their inspiring ancestors.
Preview: S12 E7 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
Westward Bound Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. heads west to map the family trees of Sara Haines and Tracy Letts.
Preview: S12 E6 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
Love & Basketball Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of basketball stars Brittney Griner and Chris Paul.
Preview: S12 E5 | 0:30
Watch • 3:58
Finding Your Roots
Brittney Griner Learns the Origin of a Family Name
Brittney Griner discovers the origin of the "Adams" name on her father's side.
Clip: S12 E5 | 3:58
Watch • 3:49
Finding Your Roots
Chris Paul Discovers His Family's Southern Ties
Chris Paul discovers the first labor contract his paternal family ever signed.
Clip: S12 E5 | 3:49
Watch • 4:09
Finding Your Roots
Lizzy Caplan's Ancestor Immigrated To New York With Three Dollars
Lizzy contemplates the difficult decision her ancestor made upon immigrating to New York.
Clip: S12 E4 | 4:09
Watch • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
The Road We Took Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Lizzy Caplan and comedian Hasan Minhaj.
Preview: S12 E4 | 0:30
Watch • 4:09
Finding Your Roots
Hasan Minhaj Learns of His Royal Roots
Hasan discovers the possibility that he may have royal roots in Northern India.
Clip: S12 E4 | 4:09
Watch • 4:04
Finding Your Roots
Liza Colón-Zayas Learns of Her Ancestor's Past
Liza discovers her maternal great-great grandmother's experience as an enslaved person.
Clip: S12 E3 | 4:04
Watch • 4:49
Finding Your Roots
Delroy Lindo Traces His Jamaican Roots
Delroy Lindo dives deeper into his mother's ancestry.
Clip: S12 E3 | 4:49
Latest Episodes
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  • All
  • Finding Your Roots Season 12
  • 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 • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Family Harmonies
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces musicians Flea and Lizzo to their inspiring ancestors.
Episode: S12 E7 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Westward Bound
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. heads west to map the family trees of Sara Haines and Tracy Letts.
Episode: S12 E6 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Love & Basketball
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of basketball stars Brittney Griner and Chris Paul.
Episode: S12 E5 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
The Road We Took
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Lizzy Caplan and comedian Hasan Minhaj.
Episode: S12 E4 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Caribbean Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the Caribbean heritage of Liza Colón-Zayas and Delroy Lindo.
Episode: S12 E3 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Great Migrations
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the family trees of rapper Wiz Khalifa and actor Sanaa Lathan.
Episode: S12 E2 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
American Dreams
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers America Ferrera & Darren Criss’ immigrant ancestors.
Episode: S12 E1 | 52:09
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Finding My Roots
Family mysteries are solved for actor Laurence Fishburne & scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Episode: S11 E10 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Moving On Up
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Sheryl Lee Ralph & historian Lonnie Bunch.
Episode: S11 E9 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
The Butterfly Effect
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the family trees of actors Debra Messing & Melanie Lynskey.
Episode: S11 E8 | 52:10