You may know John Lithgow as the versatile actor who has starred in movies, TV shows, and Broadway plays. You may also know Brad Pitt as the Hollywood heartthrob who has won an Oscar and several other awards. But did you know that these two celebrities are actually related?
The Third Cousin Connection
According to CGAA, John Lithgow and Brad Pitt are distantly related. Lithgow’s mother, Sarah Jane Mayfield, was a first cousin of Pitt’s paternal grandfather, William Pitt. William Pitt’s father, Ivan, was brother to Mayfield’s mother, Grace. This makes John Lithgow and Brad Pitt third cousins.
The Mayflower Ancestry
On the show Finding Your Roots, Lithgow discovered that he is a descendant of eight Mayflower passengers, including colonial governor William Bradford. Bradford was also an ancestor of Pitt, as well as other famous people like Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood, and Barack Obama.
The Acting Legacy
Both Lithgow and Pitt have had successful careers in the entertainment industry. Lithgow has been nominated for two Academy Awards for his roles in The World According to Garp (1982) and Terms of Endearment (1983). He has also won six Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Tony Awards. He is known for his roles in 3rd Rock from the Sun, Dexter, The Crown, and many more.
Pitt has also been nominated for two Academy Awards for his roles in 12 Monkeys (1995) and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). He won his first Oscar in 2020 for his role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). He has also won a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and several other accolades. He is known for his roles in Fight Club, Ocean’s Eleven, Moneyball, and many more.
The Conclusion
John Lithgow and Brad Pitt may not look alike or have much in common, but they share a surprising family connection that goes back to the Pilgrims. They are both talented actors who have made their mark on the screen and stage. They are also both third cousins who can trace their roots to the Mayflower.
