Dr. Gates explores the mysteries buried in the family stories of his guests, Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, actor and comedian Ty Burrell and artist Kara Walker, using both the records left behind and DNA.

Explore the shared Irish ancestry of journalist and anchor Soledad O'Brien, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly and comedian, political commentator and TV host Bill Maher, and how they have been deeply influenced by their Irish roots.

How ancestors of comedienne Maya Rudolph, TV producer Shonda Rhimes and comedian Keenen Ivory Wayans struggled for freedom, and how each of these cultural trailblazers gain a new understanding of how they fit into this proud trajectory.

Three of America's funniest men, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, TV producer Norman Lear and comedian Bill Hader, uncover a history of tragedies and triumphs in their families and learn how comedy truly has its place in all aspects of life.

Discover how the ancestors of business mogul Richard Branson and architects Maya Lin and Frank Gehry took audacious risks to create opportunities, and how their luck, ingenuity and chutzpah was passed on to these three visionaries.

Senator John McCain and Oscar winning actresses Julianne Moore and Patricia Arquette sit down with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to look at the military service in their families.

Uncover family mysteries about two legends of hip hop, Sean Combs and LL Cool J, through the use of DNA technology that reveals information that shakes their very foundations.

Discover how comedian Neil Patrick Harris, feminist icon Gloria Steinem and author Sandra Cisneros are connected to pioneers who broke new ground and paved the way for their modern day descendants to continue shaping our culture.

Discover how actress Julianna Marguiles, author Azar Nafisi and chef Lidia Bastianich are bound together by their ancestors' singular and deeply human desire to preserve their most cherished traditions.

Actor Dustin Hoffman and actress Mia Farrow, who last shared the screen together in 1969, also share a history of tragic deaths in their families that played major roles in the shaping of their parents.