Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe Discovered to be Distant Cousins
Genealogy research reveals a familial link between the contemporary actress and Hollywood icon.
Actress Sydney Sweeney and the late Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe share a surprising familial connection, with genealogy researchers identifying them as ninth cousins once removed.
The discovery, made by the global family history platform MyHeritage, traced their family trees to a common ancestor, Ezra Perry, an early settler in Sandwich, Massachusetts, who lived from approximately 1625 to 1689.
According to MyHeritage's findings, the relationship connects through Sweeney’s father, Steven Sweeney, and Monroe’s biological father, Charles Stanley Gifford. The genealogical link comes nearly 400 years after Perry's time and adds a factual basis to the years of comparisons between the two blonde actresses.
Comparisons between Sweeney and Monroe have been frequent, stemming from similarities in their public image, Old Hollywood glamour, and the intense scrutiny surrounding their careers and personal lives. Sweeney has also drawn inspiration from Monroe's iconic style, notably wearing a vintage Ceil Chapman gown to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February that closely resembled a dress Monroe wore on the cover of LIFE magazine in 1952. She previously channeled Monroe at the December premiere of "The Housemaid" with a gown reminiscent of Monroe's famous subway grate scene dress from "The Seven Year Itch."
Marilyn Monroe converted to Judaism in 1956 before marrying playwright Arthur Miller. A report from Page Six suggested Sweeney is considering a conversion to Judaism in connection with her relationship with businessman Scooter Braun. Representatives for Sweeney did not immediately respond to requests for comment on this report.
Roi Mandel, director of research at MyHeritage, stated that the discovery was significant. "People have always drawn parallels between Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe, but seeing their paths align on a deeper level inspired us to look for a real bond in the MyHeritage archives," Mandel said in a statement. "Uncovering their shared branch was incredible. It’s a powerful reminder that humanity is one vast family tree, and when we dig deep, we uncover how remarkably interconnected we all are."