Italian Roots

For more than a decade, renowned Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has helped to expand America’s sense of itself, stimulating a national conversation about identity with humor, wisdom, and compassion. Professor Gates has explored the ancestry of dozens of influential people from diverse backgrounds, taking millions of viewers deep into the past to reveal the connections that bind us all.

RMPBS Passport

Please log in to your PBS Passport account to watch this video

Become a Member

Italian Roots

Season 6 Episode 9 | 52m 41s | CC

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and actors Marisa Tomei and John Turturro, introducing them to ancestors who made immense sacrifices to bring their families from Italy to America.

Finding Your Roots

Watch more episodes

52:10

Finding Your Roots

Coming to America

Nancy Pelosi, Norah O’Donnell, and Zac Posen discover surprising roots.

52:41

Finding Your Roots

Hollywood Royalty

Anjelica Huston, Mia Farrow, and Isabella Rosselini learn their family histories.

52:36

Finding Your Roots

Off the Farm

Dr. Gates helps Melissa McCarthy and Eric Stonestreet answer family mysteries.

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.

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

Get trusted Colorado stories, programs, and events from Rocky Mountain PBS straight to your inbox.

Set Your Preferences >