Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe are ninth cousins once removed, according to MyHeritage research tracing their ancestry to a shared 17th-century relative.
LOS ANGELES: Hollywood has uncovered a surprising family connection between two actresses from different generations, as new genealogical research reveals that Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe are distant relatives.
According to findings released by family history platform MyHeritage on October 7, 2026, the actresses are ninth cousins once removed, sharing an ancestor who lived in Massachusetts nearly 400 years ago.
The discovery has attracted attention because Sweeney, known for Euphoria and The White Lotus, has frequently been compared with the late Hollywood icon for her glamour and fashion choices.
How are Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe related?
The research identifies Ezra Perry, an early English settler in Sandwich, Massachusetts, as their common ancestor.
Perry lived between approximately 1625 and 1689, making the connection several centuries old.
MyHeritage traced the relationship through the paternal family lines of both actresses.
Sweeney’s ancestry connects through her father, Steven Sweeney, while Monroe’s family connection runs through her biological father, Charles Stanley Gifford.
Their family trees eventually meet through Perry, establishing the distant relationship identified by researchers.
The discovery is based on historical genealogical records rather than a newly reported DNA test.
What does ninth cousins once removed mean?
The term describes a very distant family relationship.
Ninth cousins share ancestors many generations in the past, while ‘once removed’ means the relatives belong to different generations.
In practical terms, the actresses share a historical family connection rather than a close relationship.
Such discoveries are possible because family history researchers can trace birth records, marriages and ancestral connections across centuries.
Why have the actresses been compared before?
Sweeney has repeatedly drawn comparisons with Monroe, particularly for her Old Hollywood-inspired fashion.
The actress has appeared at red-carpet events wearing outfits reminiscent of styles associated with the 1950s screen legend.
At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Sweeney wore a vintage-inspired look that recalled Monroe’s famous 1952 Life magazine appearance.
Her styling at The Housemaid premiere also attracted comparisons with the actress’s celebrated Hollywood wardrobe.
What did MyHeritage say about the discovery?
MyHeritage’s director of research, Roi Mandel, explained that longstanding comparisons between the actresses inspired the investigation.
Researchers examined historical family records to determine whether the perceived similarities extended beyond appearances.
Their findings revealed a shared ancestral branch connecting the two performers.
While the discovery does not suggest a close family bond, it adds an unexpected historical dimension to comparisons between the actresses.
Impact to expect
The discovery could renew public interest in genealogy, celebrity family histories and Hollywood’s cultural legacy. It may also introduce younger audiences to Monroe’s films while highlighting how historical records can reveal unexpected connections between people separated by centuries.
The Marilyn Monroe connection also gives fans a new reason to explore the family histories behind two familiar Hollywood names.
