Bob Odenkirk, known for his brilliant acting in the “Breaking Bad” spin-off, “Better Call Saul,” recently learned that he is a distant relative of King Charles.
Bob Odenkirk and King Charles Are Distant Cousins
Odenkirk was a guest on the Public Broadcasting Service program, “Finding Your Roots,” hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. Mr. Gates disclosed that the royals are a part of Odenkirk’s lineage.
“You and King Charles are eleventh cousins,” the host said. Odenkirk was understandably shocked, especially since he had blasted the monarchy just moments before the reveal.
He quipped.
“I’m an American, I’m not a monarchist. I don’t believe in that.”
In an ironic twist of fate, Henry Louis Gates Jr. explained to Odenkirk that ancestry experts uncovered Odenkirk’s family back five generations and discovered that Fridrich Carl Steinholz, born in Germany in 1755, was Odenkirk’s fifth great-grandfather.
The host told the actor that his ancestor was the daughter of the Duke of Plon and Maria Catharina. The Duke was linked to European royal families because of inmarriage between close relatives.
The reveal was like a pin dropping to the floor amid pure silence. Odenkirk responded,
“It makes me feel like a part of history that I didn’t think I was any part of, but….you know, I feel like it’s a little twisted. I understand why society built itself around monarchies and leaders, and they passed them down through generations.”
He continues,
“I understand that goes through every society, every civilization. But I think that we’ve gotten to a better place with democracy, and we should keep going down that road.”
Odenkirk had a very amusing response when he learned about his ties to the monarchy today. It was a reveal that he had never seen coming.
The Reveal Visibly Took Odenkirk Aback
The host told Odenkirk that he was related to King Charles. The “Better Call Saul” actor couldn’t stifle his laughter and jokingly said,
“Well, maybe I’ll change my mind about that.”
Perhaps Odenkirk was a little embarrassed for his previous remarks. Odenkirk is known for his liberal-leaning politics. He even suffered a near-fatal heart attack after ignoring the advice of a doctor because he didn’t have the same political views that he did.
The issue was that the doctor did not accept Obamacare. So imagine his surprise to learn that his lineage includes a centuries-old government that relies on its monarchies and leaders.
Not to mention his relation to the current King of England. It sure doesn’t seem like Bob Odenkirk’s beliefs. He was visibly taken aback.
The actor just uttered, “That is crazy,” 11th cousins,” as if he was saying it out loud so he could believe it.
Henry Louis Gates Jr. made a joke about Odenkirk badmouthing the royal family,
“You ought to be ashamed of yourself. You ain’t been royal more than five minutes!”
Frederick Charles, Duke of Plon, was a member of the Danish royal family. At his death, he had no male heir to his crown; however, he had several princess daughters. He passed in 1761, and the Holstein Plon’s rule returned to the Danish crown.
Odenkirk wishes his mother could hear the full story of their family’s lineage.
Let us know what you think of this; you never know who you are related to. Use the comment section to tell us your thoughts. Also, visit Daily Soap Dish for more information on the royal family.
