Edward Norton as a descendant of Pocahontas. The actor of Birdman, Fight Clib, American History, Glass Onion – Knives out, is the great-grandson, twelfth in line of succession, of the famous Native American who inspired the Disney cartoon. A story that was handed down in the family but to which the actor and director from Boston, three Oscar nominations, had not given particular credit. However, on the occasion of the transmission of the PBS Finding Your Roots (or “find your origins”) the family legend has become historical fact.
Edward Norton in the sequel to ‘Knives Out’: “My obnoxious rich nerd, capricious and very current”
by Arianna Finos
“Pocahontas really is your 12th great-grandmother,” the historian told him Henry Louis Gates Jr., host of the show. Gates was able to trace John Rolfe and Pocahontas, ancestors of the actor. The two – according to the historian’s study – were married on April 5, 1614 in Jamestown, Virginia. Pocahontas died several years later in March 1617 in Gravesend, England, while settler John Rolfe died around March 1622.
The actor of Fight club, who is passionate about history, was very impressed by the revelations of the broadcast and also of a second uncomfortable truth that Gates told. His third great-grandfather held “seven people in bondage,” including a 55-year-old man, a 37-year-old woman and five girls, ranging in age from 10, 9, 8, 6 and 4, the PBS anchor said. . Norton commented: It’s a judgment on the history of this country and it needs to be addressed. When you read ‘Slave, 8 years’, you feel like you’re dying.”
