Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul star, Bob Odenkirk, recently had a jaw-dropping revelation about his ancestry that took him on a journey through time, connecting him to none other than King Charles III. The actor, popular for his portrayal of the slippery and con-loving lawyer, Saul Goodman, knew of this surprising familial tie on the popular US genealogy-based television show, Finding Your Roots.
As the show delved into Odenkirk’s family history, it uncovered a fascinating link spanning five generations, revealing that he is the 11th cousin of King Charles III. Despite Odenkirk’s roots in Chicago, the show’s ancestry experts unveiled a captivating tale that traced back to his fifth great-grandfather, Friedrich Carl Steinholz, born in Plön, Germany, in 1755.
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Henry Louis Gates Jr hosted the show, detailing the extraordinary revelation that Steinholz, conceived out of wedlock with the Duke of Plön, created a familial connection to the royal families of Europe through intermarriage. Odenkirk, initially taken aback by the unexpected revelation, expressed his feelings about this newfound connection to royalty.
“[It makes me feel] like a part of history that I didn’t think I was any part of, but I’m an American. I’m not a monarchist. I don’t believe in that,” Bob Odenkirk shared on the show. “You know, I feel like it’s a little twisted. I understand why society built itself around monarchs and leaders, and they passed them down through generations. I understand that goes through every society, every civilisation. But I think that we’ve gotten to a better place with democracy, and we should keep going down that road.”
The actor’s candid reaction showcased a blend of surprise, skepticism, and a firm commitment to democratic values. This unexpected connection to royalty, dating back centuries, added a unique layer to Odenkirk’s personal history, prompting reflections on the evolution of societal structures and the enduring importance of democratic ideals in today’s world.
As fans and viewers absorb this revelation, it’s clear that the actor’s journey through his family tree has unearthed more than just genealogical connections—it has sparked contemplation on the broader themes of identity, history, and the progress of human society.