Jeff Daniels explores his family ancestry on PBS series 'Finding Your Roots'
When he’s not appearing in award-winning films, TV miniseries and Broadway plays, Jeff Daniels is known for choosing to live with his family in Chelsea, Michigan, instead of a hot spot like New York or Los Angeles.
But what about his relatives from way back? Way, way, way back? Where were they from and what did they do?
The answers should be interesting on Tuesday night’s “Finding Your Roots,” which airs at 8 p.m. on Detroit Public TV (WTVS). Daniels and actor Claire Danes will be the latest notable figures to take the fascinating, often emotional journey into their ancestry with renowned scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr.
According to PBS, Tuesday’s episode “travels from World War One battlefields to Civil War prison camps to America’s most infamous witch hunt — offering (Gates') guests insight into what made them who they are today.”
In a preview clip, Daniels can be seen jokingly telling Gates, “Bring it!” He’s also shown reacting to something apparently surprising that's been revealed by saying, “Salem witch trials?,” to which Gates replies, “You got it.”
Daniels, 67, famously decided in 1986 to move his family back to Chelsea, the town where he grew up, after his career took off with his supporting role in 1983’s “Terms of Endearment.”
The two-time Emmy winner (best actor for “The Newsroom” and best supporting actor for “Godless”) is known for his star turns in films like “Something Wild,” “Pleasantville” and the “Dumb and Dumber” franchise and his recent strong supporting work in movies like “Steve Jobs.” He’s also a three-time Tony nominee who earned a nod in 2019 for his acclaimed performance as Atticus Finch in Aaron Sorkin’s Broadway adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Up next for Daniels is starring with Diane Lane as a real estate tycoon who's facing financial disaster in the Netflix adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s 1998 novel “A Man in Full.” The limited series is being written by David E. Kelley, and the pilot will be directed by Regina King.
Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jeff Daniels learns about his ancestry on PBS's 'Finding Your Roots'
