The WORST episodes of Who Do You Think You Are? (US)

Every episode of Who Do You Think You Are? (US) ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Who Do You Think You Are? (US)!

Celebrities trace their family trees with the help of historians and experts.

Last Updated: 4/24/2025Network: NBCStatus: Continuing
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#1 - Lea Michele

Season 7 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/1/2016

Lea Michele digs into her Jewish roots and finds a heartbreaking story about her great-grandmother in addition to a family reunited after being separated for decades.

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#2 - Laverne Cox

Season 9 - Episode 2 - Aired 5/21/2018

Actress and activist Laverne Cox pieces together the inspiring life of her African American ancestor, who challenged societal norms and bravely pushed the boundaries just years after emancipation.

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#3 - Jon Cryer

Season 9 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/21/2018

Jon Cryer's journey takes him from America to Scotland as he uncovers the dramatic tale of an ancestor who survived a catastrophic battle, endured horrific conditions as a prisoner of war, and was forced to come to America as an indentured servant.

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#4 - Liv Tyler

Season 8 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/24/2017

Liv Tyler unravels the mystery of her father's maternal side, discovering ancestors who took part in famous American battles, and also learns shocking details that change the way she feels about herself and her family.

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#5 - John Stamos

Season 8 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/16/2017

Actor John Stamos explores his Greek heritage for the first time and discovers an explosive feud that shattered his grandfather's childhood. He also meets a relative he never knew and hears firsthand about his family's enduring strength.

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#6 - Smokey Robinson

Season 8 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/9/2017

Motown legend and icon, Smokey Robinson tracks down a grandfather tangled in a swirl of controversy and connects to a relative's familiar struggle with oppression while coming face to face with the gruesome history he knew was inevitable.

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#7 - Jessica Biel

Season 8 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/2/2017

Jessica Biel hunts for the truth behind family lore surrounding the death of an ancestor. She also makes two shocking discoveries that shake everything she knows about her heritage to the core.

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#8 - Noah Wyle

Season 8 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/26/2017

Noah Wyle investigates his maternal family line, discovering an ancestor who was catapulted into one of America's biggest wars, and whose life spiraled out of control from remarkable success to a shocking and tragic end.

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#9 - Jennifer Grey

Season 8 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/19/2017

Jennifer Grey discovers much more about the grandfather she thought she knew as she uncovers how he survived adversity to become a beacon of his community; and discovers a great-grandmother whose devastating tragedy stopped her from making it to America.

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#10 - Julie Bowen

Season 8 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/12/2017

Julie Bowen makes a shocking discovery that a beloved relative lead a nefarious organization that triggered a dark chapter of U.S. history; and uncovers another ancestor who risked everything to fight for the lives and freedom of African Americans.

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#11 - Courteney Cox

Season 8 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/5/2017

Courteney Cox traces her maternal line back to ambitious and ruthless relatives who plotted and murdered their way to power in medieval times; and she's shocked to discover an ancestor who's one of European history's most famous characters

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#12 - Megan Mullally

Season 9 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/28/2018

Megan Mullally explores a shocking pattern of dysfunction in her father's line; she finds her two-times great grandmother was bravely defying societal norms in order to fight for her family's survival, while struggling to hang on to her own sanity.

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#13 - Chris Noth

Season 7 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/1/2016

Chris Noth discovers the suffering endured by his ancestors in America, and tracks a relative from Spain to Ireland who eventually became a war hero.

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#14 - Molly Ringwald

Season 7 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/24/2016

Molly Ringwald explores family lore of Swedish royalty, which uncovers her ancestors' harrowing lives and reveals women who suffered through unspeakable tragedies, and one brave immigrant who forever changed her family's fate.

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#15 - Katey Sagal

Season 7 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/17/2016

Katey Sagal has an emotional and insightful meeting with her mother's friend and fellow USO performer. Katey also finds a surprising link to the Amish and uncovers the harrowing story of her relative's daring escape from attackers.

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#16 - Scott Foley

Season 7 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/10/2016

Tracing his patriotic roots, Scott Foley finds a relative who risked his life for one of America’s founding fathers, and an ancestor who suffered unspeakably during one of this nation’s darkest times.

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#17 - Aisha Tyler

Season 7 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/3/2016

Aisha Tyler's journey reveals an ancestor who, as a politician, struggled to keep his illegitimate son a secret. Against all odds, her 2x great-grandfather exemplifies bravery and determination during one of America's most tumultuous eras of racism.

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#18 - Tom Bergeron

Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/30/2015

Television personality Tom Bergeron researches his paternal roots in France and discovers his nine-times great grandmother, Marguerite, who endured upheaval and faced going against her Protestant upbringing in order to survive.

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#19 - Bryan Cranston

Season 6 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/23/2015

Bryan Cranston's happy childhood shattered when his father abandoned the family when Bryan was just 11. Seeking answers, Bryan explores his paternal roots, finds a troubling pattern of desertion, a man of honor and an aunt he never even knew existed.

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#20 - Into the Archives

Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 8/16/2015

This special episode digs into its archives and features highlights throughout the seasons including triumphs and tragedies, delightful discoveries and sobering moments. It also unveils outtakes and never-before-seen footage from the "Who Do" vault.

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#21 - Alfre Woodard

Season 6 - Episode 3 - Aired 8/9/2015

Alfre Woodard goes on a journey searching for her grandfather's roots, and finds a relative who endured one of the most horrifying periods in American history, but accomplished an extraordinary feat.

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#22 - Melissa Etheridge

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 4/26/2015

Melissa Etheridge digs into her French roots and finds a family shaken by a scandalous lawsuit; a turbulent relationship entangled with tragedy; and an adventuresome ancestor who prospered in colonial America

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#23 - Zachary Quinto

Season 11 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/14/2022

Actor Zachary Quinto travels to Italy and the Midwest and discovers the story of his great-grandfather, who held a political career in Pittsburgh.

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#24 - Bradley Whitford

Season 11 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/7/2022

Actor and political activist Bradley Whitford learns about his grandmother's heritage, discovering why his ancestors immigrated to the United States in 1846.

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#25 - Zachary Levi

Season 11 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/31/2022

Actor Zachary Levi's journey into his family's past unearths a story of trauma that has been passed down through generations.

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