In a revelation that sounds more like the plot of a Hollywood drama than real life, the long-married couple, Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, have discovered that they share more than just their love for acting—they’re distant cousins. The couple, who first met on the set of the TV adaptation of the play “Lemon Sky” in 1987 and wed 18 months later, were informed of their familial ties on the PBS show “Finding Your Roots.”
Kevin Bacon, a Golden Globe winner known for his roles in iconic films such as “Footloose,” “Apollo 13,” “JFK,” and “X-Men: First Class,” and Kyra Sedgwick, also a Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner famous for her role in “The Closer,” have been one of Hollywood’s most enduring couples. Their marriage since September 1988 has been celebrated for its longevity and the strong bond they share, which now includes a genetic link.
The couple’s relationship took a surprising turn in 2013 when they appeared on “Finding Your Roots,” a TV show exploring celebrities’ ancestry. Henry Louis Gates Jr, the presenter, unveiled to Sedgwick that she and Bacon were ninth cousins once removed, leaving the couple and the audience astonished. Despite the unexpected news, Sedgwick humorously remarked that she wasn’t surprised, jokingly suggesting that “most white people are related, ultimately.”
Their story gained further intrigue when Sedgwick shared on her Instagram the moment they first met, posting a blurry Polaroid from 1987 with the caption: “This is a blurry Polaroid of where it all started, (on set shooting Lemon Sky in 1987). And it’s been clear ever since… love you forever.”
In addition to their connection, the show revealed Bacon’s distant relation to other celebrities, including Brad Pitt as a 13th cousin twice removed and even a familial link to President Barack Obama through Sedgwick.
This fascinating discovery underscores the unpredictability of genealogy and how it can bring to light the most unexpected connections, even in Hollywood. Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick’s story adds a unique chapter to their public life, proving that love knows no bounds, not even genetic ones. As they continue to navigate their successful careers and marriage, this revelation adds an intriguing footnote to their love story, one that has stood the test of time and now, is a test of ancestry.