Hollywood: Actor Edward Norton is a descendant of the real Pocahontas

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Surprise for Edward Norton: The Hollywood star is a descendant of the real Pocahontas

Actor Edward Norton looks at his family tree

© NurPhoto / Imago Images

Surprising discovery for Edward Norton: The Hollywood star is related to the famous chief’s daughter Pocahontas. However, Norton also found shocking things about his ancestors.

Hardly anyone would guess that Edward Norton has Native American roots. In fact, that’s exactly the case: Norton is directly related to the legendary chief’s daughter Pocahontas, who lived in the 17th century.

The 53-year-old actor, best known for ‘Fight Club’ and starring in the new Netflix film ‘Glass Onion’, took part in the US television show ‘Finding Your Roots’. On the show, celebrity guests explore their family tree — and sometimes come across unexpected ancestors. With Norton it was Pocahontas: moderator Henry Louis Gates Jr. told the Hollywood star on the show that she was his twelfth great-grandmother.

A portrait of the real Pocahontas.

A portrait of the real Pocahontas.

©Getty Images

Edward Norton’s ancestors also owned slaves

Norton was stunned when he got the news. “Oh my god,” he whispered. However, the revelation did not come out of the blue. There had long been a rumor in his family that he was a direct descendant of Pocahontas. Norton had always attached little importance to it, considering it a “legend”.

Now, however, he has proof that the family relationship actually exists. As Henry Louis Gates assured, the creators of the show have found “direct paper evidence” that completely traces the family tree from Norton to Pocahontas.

The key document was the 1614 marriage certificate of Pocahontas and Norton’s ancestor, John Rolfe. “There’s no doubt about it,” the moderator said. “That’s as far back as you can go,” Norton said. “It makes you realize what a small piece of human history you are.”

The actor was also faced with another revelation on the same show: his third great-grandfather owned seven slaves, including five children. For Norton an unpleasant realization that made him thoughtful. When asked how he felt about it, the Golden Globe winner said: “The short answer is, these things are uncomfortable. Everyone should be uncomfortable with them. It’s not a judgment on you and on your story, but on them history of this country.”

Sources: Henry Louis Gates Jr on Twitter / BBC

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