Article
Atlas
Jennifer Aniston
Jim Parsons
Julia Roberts
Rihanna
Popular
Jennifer Garner
Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken
Gardening
Mushoku Tensei
Julia Roberts discovers shocking family secrets: ‘My mind is blown’
2023/09/20

Julia Roberts is digging into her family roots. 

The "Ticket to Paradise" star was shocked to discover that she actually is not a "Roberts," and was told her last name was drastically different.

During an appearance on Ancestry's "Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.," the Oscar-winner uncovered secrets deep in the branches of her father's family tree from centuries ago.

GEORGE CLOONEY AND JULIA ROBERTS' CHEMISTRY IN 'TICKET TO PARADISE' SPARKED BY DECADES-LONG FRIENDSHIP

The story began with her great-grandfather John Roberts and her great-great-grandmother Rhoda Suttle Roberts.

"Subtle is not anything anyone's ever called anyone in my family by the way," she joked.

Gates Jr. continued to show Roberts the 1880s census for Douglas County, Georgia, when he then showed her great-grandfather's name listed in the archives.

After doing extensive research into the Roberts family history, Gates Jr. discovered that during the 1850s, Rhoda married a man named Willis Roberts, whose last name Julia carries.

However, Willis passed away in 1864, over a decade before Rhoda gave birth to Julia's great-grandfather John, Gates Jr. explained.

"Julia, Willis Roberts could not possibly be your great-great-grandfather. He was dead," he remarked.

"Oh, wait…but am I not a Roberts?!" the stunned Hollywood actress asked.

Gates Jr. further explained since marriage licenses and birth certificates were not available in the 1800s, Ancestry resorted to DNA testing to search for matches, hoping to identify John's father through his descendants.

JULIA ROBERTS, HUSBAND DANIEL MODER SEEN TOGETHER ENJOYING KENNEDY CENTER HONORS

His team found "a cluster of matches" that tied Julia and her cousin to one man. Henry McDonald Mitchell Jr. was the name of her biological great-great-grandfather. 

"So we're Mitchells?" the 55-year-old star asked.

"You're Julia Mitchell," Gates Jr. confirmed. "You are not a Roberts, biologically."

The "Pretty Woman" star laughed in disbelief.

The historian revealed that Julia's great-great-grandmother had an affair with a married man after her husband Willis Roberts' death. Gates Jr. added that Mitchell had six children of his own.

In addition to this turn of events, he further explained that Mitchell's mother was a widow and resided "just four households" from Rhoda.

"Wow… On the one hand…truly…my mind is blown," Roberts emotionally responded to the scandalous revelations.

"It is fascinating, and on the other hand, there's part of me that, when I'm calmer, can still wrap my arms around the idea that my family is my family… I do prefer the name, Roberts… This was a very unexpected turn."

Stephanie Giang-Paunon is an Entertainment Writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @SGiangPaunon.

Mayim Bialik Revealed The Hardest Part About Playing Amy On The Big Bang Theory, And It Has To Do With Jim Parsons
2023/04/27
Pretty woman in pink! Julia Roberts looks fabulous in plunging gown alongside silver fox George Clooney
2023/04/27
Julia Roberts’ Best Red Carpet Fashion Moments Through the Years: Pics
2023/04/29
PHOTOS About Miranda Lambert Lighting Up the ACMs With 'Keeper of the Flame'!
2023/04/22
Julia Roberts wears a purple swimsuit as she kisses husband Daniel Moder aboard a luxury $45M yacht
2023/04/26
congratulate! Julia Roberts to receive George Eastman Award for movie work!
2023/04/25
Jim Parsons Fought to Keep Mayim Bialik on Big Bang Theory: 'I will not let this character go'
2023/05/08
Jim Parsons Almost CRIED FOR REAL During This Big Bang Theory Scene With Simon Helberg
2023/05/08
How Jim Parsons Really Felt About Working With Christine Baranski On The Big Bang Theory
2023/05/08
The Way Kaley Cuoco Reacted to Jim Parsons Winning the Golden Globe Is Sooo Precious!
2023/05/08