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Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) -

Marilyn Monroe was a descendant of William Mullins and his wife, Alice, Priscilla Mullins, John Alden, and Francis Cooke. 

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Clint Eastwood -

Clint Eastwood is descended from William Bradford. Several of those named on this list can claim descendancy from Bradford, who served as Governor of Plymouth Colony and compiled journals relating the experience of the Pilgrims. 

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Sigourney Weaver -

Sigourney Weaver is descended from Kenelm Winslow, brother of Edward Winslow. Edward Winslow was also a governor of Plymouth, beginning in 1633.  

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Matt Damon -

Matt Damon is also descended from the previously mentioned Pilgrim separatist, Richard Warren.  

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Jodie Foster -

Jodie Foster can claim descendancy from William Mullins and his wife, Alice, together with Priscilla Mullins and John Alden. A shoemaker by trade, William Mullins lost his family during the first winter, except his daughter Priscilla. 

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Richard Gere -

Richard Gere is descended from several Mayflower passengers, including Richard Warren, Francis Cooke, George Soule, Samuel Fuller, Francis Eaton and his wife, Sarah, Francis Billington, John Billington and his wife Ellinor, Degory Priest, Stephen Hopkins, Elizabeth Fisher, Jacob Cooke, William Brewster and his wife, Mary. Samuel Fuller was nearly 40 when he embarked on the Mayflower, making him one of the oldest passengers to reach the New World. 

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Meryl Streep -

Meryl Streep is descended from Henry Howland, brother of John Howland. John Howland very nearly didn't live to see the New World. During the voyage, he was swept overboard but managed to cling on to the rigging and was saved.  

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Benedict Cumberbatch -

British actor Benedict Cumberbatch is descended from William Mullins and his wife, Alice, Priscilla Mullins, and John Alden. John Alden later married Priscilla Mullins and descendants of the couple comprise one of the largest groups of Mayflower descendants living today. 

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Jane Fonda -

Jane Fonda is another descendant of William Bradford, along with James Chilton, Susanna Furner, Mary Chilton, and Francis Cooke. Interestingly, there is a written record of an assault on James Chilton, who was accosted in Leiden in 1619. Historians believe the incident may have been a factor in convincing the Pilgrims to leave Holland where they had faced religious persecution. 

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Zac Efron -

The 'Neighbors' (2014) actor is descended from William Mullins and his wife, Alice, Priscilla Mullins, John Alden, and Thomas Rogers. Thomas Rogers was 48 when he set foot in the New World, making him another Plymouth elder statesman. 

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Jordana Brewster -

Brazilian-American actress Jordana Brewster, who was actually born in Panama, can claim descendancy from several individuals, including John Tilley, Elizabeth Tilley, Joan (née Hurst) Rogers, John Howland, Thomas Rogers, Joseph Rogers, Richard Warren, William Brewster and his wife Mary, Edward Doty, James Chilton, Susanna Furner, Mary Chilton, William White, Susanna Jackson, and Resolved White. The curiously named Resolved White was just five years old when he arrived on the Mayflower with his parents. 

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Alec Baldwin -

Alec Baldwin is descended from John Tilley, Elizabeth Tilley, Joan (née Hurst) Rogers, and John Howland. Joan Hurst was a widow of Thomas Rogers when she married John Tilley in 1596.

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James Spader -

Actor James Spader, known especially for starring as Raymond Reddington in the NBC crime thriller series 'The Blacklist' (2013–2023), is descended from the aforementioned Richard Warren.  

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Avril Lavigne -

Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne is descended from Stephen Hopkins and Giles Hopkins. It's been suggested that Stephen Hopkins is the same Hopkins who was found guilty of provoking a mutiny on the vessel Sea Venture. He was sentenced to death but subsequently granted a pardon. Giles Hopkins was his son.  

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John Cena -

Actor and pro wrestler John Cena is descended from Edward Winslow, Susanna Jackson, and Richard Warren. 

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Ellen DeGeneres -

Former actress and television host Ellen DeGeneres is descended from William Mullins and his wife, Alice, Priscilla Mullins, John Alden, William Brewster, and his wife Mary. 

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Taylor Swift -

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Christopher Lloyd -

Christopher Lloyd, best-known for portraying Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown in the 'Back to the Future' trilogy (1985–1990), is descended from John Tilley, Elizabeth Tilley, Joan (née Hurst) Rogers, John Howland, Richard Warren, James Chilton, Susanna Furner, and Mary Chilton, who was 13 years old when she traveled on the Mayflower and whose parents died in the first year. 

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Sally Field -

Actress Sally Field is another celebrity descended from William Bradford. 

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Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) -

The celebrated author Ernest Hemingway, whose novels include 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' (1940) and 'The Old Man and the Sea,' published in 1952, was a descendant of Richard Warren. 

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Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) -

Legendary Hollywood actress Katharine Hepburn was a descendant of William Brewster and his wife, Mary. Mary had five surviving children with her husband. 

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Humphry Bogart (1899–1957) -

Coincidentally, another Hollywood screen icon, Humphry Bogart, was also a descendant of the Mayflower Pilgrims, specifically John Tilley, Elizabeth Tilley, Joan (née Hurst) Rogers, and John Howland. 

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Amelia Earhart (1897–1939) -

Pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart was a descendant of Richard Warren, Edward Fuller, and Samuel Fuller. Both Edward and his wife, whose name is unknown, died during the first winter, in January 1621. Their son Samuel survived, and raised a family of his own. 

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Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) -

Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served as the 32nd president of the United States, is like many others on this list a descendant of John Tilley, Elizabeth Tilley, Joan (née Hurst) Rogers, John Howland, Isaac Allerton, Mary Norris, Degory Priest, Richard Warren, John Cooke, and Francis Cooke. Degory Priest was a member of the Leiden contingent on the historic 1620 voyage, though he was born in London. 

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Sarah Palin -

Sarah Palin, who served as the ninth governor of Alaska from 2006 until her resignation in 2009, is descended from John Tilley, Elizabeth Tilley, Joan (née Hurst) Rogers, John Howland, Richard Warren, Stephen Hopkins, Giles Hopkins, William Brewster and his wife Mary, and Henry Samson. Henry Samson was another young Mayflower passenger, believed to be about 16 years old.  

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Alan Shepard (1923–1998) -

Apollo astronaut Alan Shepard is another well-known name descended from Richard Warren. In 1971, he became the fifth and oldest person to walk on the Moon, at age 47. 

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Cokie Roberts (1943–2019) -

The much admired American journalist and author Cokie Roberts was a descendant of William Brewster and his wife, Mary. Roberts' awards and accolades include the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award and an Emmy for her contribution to 'Who Is Ross Perot?'  

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Pete Seeger (1919–2014) -

Pete Seeger, an American folk singer-songwriter, musician, and social activist, was a descendant of
Francis Cooke, Isaac Allerton, Mary Norris, Mary Allerton, and Degory Priest. Isaac Allerton's tenure at the Plymouth Colony was short-lived. He was banished after being accused of financial mismanagement and unscrupulous business dealings. 

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Wil Wheaton -

American actor and writer Wil Wheaton is descended from Francis Cooke. 

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Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957) -

Another descendent of Richard Warren, American writer Laura Ingalls Wilder found fame as the author of the 'Little House of the Prairie' series of children's books, published between 1932 and 1943.

Sources: (American Ancestors) (Mayflower History)

See also: Sylvia Plath and the best female authors of all time

© NL Beeld