Celebrities with Surprising Irish Roots

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, it’s worth noting that some well-known celebrities have Irish heritage that may not be immediately obvious. Here’s a look at 17 stars whose Irish connections might surprise you.

Nicole Kidman’s Irish Ancestry

Nicole Kidman, known for her Australian accent, actually has a diverse ancestry, including Irish roots. Her father’s ancestors arrived in Australia from Ireland as free settlers in 1839, a fact she’s proud of and has spoken about in interviews.

Rosario Dawson’s Irish Heritage

Rosario Dawson, despite not growing up with her biological father, has Irish roots from his side of the family. She has visited Ireland multiple times and feels a connection to her Irish homeland.

Christina Aguilera’s Irish-American Mother

While Christina Aguilera is known for her Latin roots, her mother is of Irish-American descent. Aguilera has embraced her Irish heritage and has expressed pride in her roots.

Emily Ratajkowski’s Irish Family

Although Emily Ratajkowski’s last name might suggest Eastern European ancestry, her family is actually from Ireland. She has strong ties to Ireland and fondly recalls spending summers there with her Irish relatives.

Barack Obama’s Irish Roots

Barack Obama discovered his Irish heritage during his presidential campaign when he learned that his great-great-grandfather hailed from Ireland. He visited Moneygall, his ancestor’s hometown, and celebrated his Irish connections.

Demi Lovato’s Surprising Ethnicity

Demi Lovato discovered their Irish heritage through a DNA test, adding to their already diverse ancestry. Lovato proudly shares their Spanish, Native American, Scandinavian, British, and Irish roots with their fans.

Olivia Wilde’s Irish Passport

Olivia Wilde, known for her acting and filmmaking, holds an Irish passport thanks to her Irish roots. She spent summers in Ireland during her childhood and credits the country with shaping her upbringing.

Robert De Niro’s Irish Descent

Despite being associated with Italian-American heritage, Robert De Niro is predominantly of Irish descent. He has explored his Irish roots and even ventured to Ireland in search of his distant relatives.

Alicia Keys’ Mixed Heritage

Alicia Keys proudly embraces her mixed heritage, which includes Irish ancestry among other ethnicities. She acknowledges her diverse background and how it influences her life and music.

John Travolta’s Irish-Italian Background

John Travolta, known for his acting career, is half-Irish and half-Italian. He has spoken about his Irish heritage and how it influences his interactions, particularly with Irish actors like Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

Mariah Carey’s Irish Connection

Mariah Carey has Irish roots through her mother, who was born to Irish parents. Carey has discussed the complexities of being biracial, including the Irish side of her heritage.

Tom Cruise’s Ancestral Discoveries

Tom Cruise learned more about his Irish ancestry during a visit to Ireland, where he traced his family history back to the ninth century. He was thrilled to discover his Irish roots and connect with his distant relatives.

Anna Kendrick’s Irish Last Name

Anna Kendrick’s last name, Kendrick, was chosen by her family when they immigrated to the United States, but their original surname was McGinn Connolly, indicating strong Irish roots. She has fond memories of her Irish and Italian upbringing.

Gwen Stefani’s Irish Heritage

Despite her Italian surname, Gwen Stefani has Irish and Scottish ancestry from her mother’s side. She grew up with Irish influences and embraces her diverse heritage.

Darren Criss’ Multicultural Background

Darren Criss, known for his roles on “Glee” and other projects, is part Filipino and part Irish. He has discussed his Filipino heritage but also acknowledges his Irish roots and the importance of both cultures in his life.

Miranda Cosgrove’s Mixed Ethnicities

Miranda Cosgrove has revealed that she has Irish, English, and French ancestry. Despite being known for her acting roles, she embraces her diverse heritage and finds it fascinating.

Anne Hathaway’s Irish Connection

Anne Hathaway has spoken about her Irish cousins and feels a strong connection to her Irish roots through her mother’s side of the family. She acknowledges the influence of Irish blood in her life and career.