'That Is Crazy!': Bob Odenkirk Stunned By Revelation About His Family History

Bob Odenkirk  mightve spoken too soon in denouncing monarchs.

On an upcoming episode of the PBS series Finding Your Roots, the Better Call Saul star is stunned upon learning that he has royal ancestry, according to a Monday preview in Rolling Stone .

Host Henry Louis Gates Jr.  reveals on the show that Odenkirks sixth great-grandfather was Germanys Duke of Pln, who was related to the royal families of Europe. But the actor is quick to assert that hes not a monarchist.

Im an American, Odenkirk says in a teaser clip . I dont believe in, uh, that. You know, I feel like its a little twisted.

He adds: I understand why society built itself around monarchs and leaders. ... But I think that weve gotten to a better place with democracy, and we should keep going down that road.

Its at that moment that an excited Gates primes Odenkirk for a follow-up revelation, saying, You and King Charles III are 11th cousins.

The actor is initially at a complete loss for words before guffawing and cheekily reassessing his stance.

Well, maybe Ill change my mind on that, quips Odenkirk. Oh, that is crazy!

Gates team of genealogical researchers went back generations to trace Odenkirks lineage to a fifth great-grandfather named Friedrich Carl Steinholz, who was born out of wedlock in 1755 and fathered by the Duke of Pln.

Royal families commonly intermarried to maintain political alliances, which helps explain how Odenkirk is distantly connected to the British crown.

When Gates asks how Odenkirk feels about all of this, the actor appears grateful.

Like Im part of history that I didnt think I was any part of, he answers.

Gates, who also heads the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University, has previously surprised other celebrities with unexpected family connections  like drag performer RuPaul and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.)  being cousins.

Odenkirks episode of Finding Your Roots, which is currently in its 10th season, airs Tuesday on PBS at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

See the full story at Rolling Stone.