Bob Odenkirk learns he's related to King Charles III after calling monarchy 'twisted'
Better call Bob Odenkirk's distant relative: King Charles III.
The "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" star was stunned to learn on the latest episode of PBS' "Finding Your Roots" that he is related to King Charles III.
"You and King Charles III are eleventh cousins," host Henry Louis Gates Jr. revealed, according to a preview clip of the episode, which airs Tuesday.
Odenkirk burst out laughing at the revelation, as he had just finished criticizing the idea of monarchy moments earlier.
"I'm an American," he said. "I'm not a monarchist. I don't believe in that. You know, I feel like it's a little twisted."
The actor added, "I understand why society builds itself around monarchs and leaders and they pass them down through generations. I understand that goes through every society, every civilization. But I think that we've gone to a better place with democracy and that we should keep going down that road."
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But after realizing his King Charles connection, Odenkirk joked, "Well, maybe I'll change my mind on that."
According to Rolling Stone, research conducted for "Finding Your Roots" indicated that Odenkirk's fifth great-grandfather was born in Germany and conceived out of wedlock with the Duke of Pl?n, who, in turn, was related to the royal families of Europe.
Odenkirk, who is best known for his role as Saul Goodman in the "Breaking Bad" universe, was born in Illinois. Although the actor wasn't so quick to become a monarchist, he reflected on "Finding Your Roots" that the family revelations made him feel like he is "part of history that I didn't think I was any part of."
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Odenkirk was the latest star who was shocked to learn about their family history on "Finding Your Roots," after "Reading Rainbow" host LeVar Burton recently appeared on the show and discovered one of his ancestors was a white man who served with the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
"I'd have fought you five minutes ago if you told me that I had a white great-great grandfather," Burton said.
"Curb Your Enthusiasm" star Larry David also famously discovered in a 2017 episode that he is related to Sen. Bernie Sanders, whom he had impersonated on "Saturday Night Live."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bob Odenkirk slams monarchy, then learns he's related to King Charles
