Sydney Sweeney Discovered to be a Distant Relative of Marilyn Monroe

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 9, 2026

Genealogical research has revealed that Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe are distant relatives, sharing a common ancestor from 17th-century Massachusetts. This discovery highlights a surprising familial link between the contemporary star and the iconic actress, adding depth to comparisons between the two.

Actress Sydney Sweeney has been identified as a distant relative of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe through genealogical research. The connection was revealed when researchers traced both actresses’ family trees back to a common ancestor, Massachusetts settler Ezra Perry, who died in 1689. According to the findings, Sweeney and Monroe are ninth cousins once removed.

Sweeney, 29, known for her roles in the television series "Euphoria" and "The White Lotus," has often drawn comparisons to Monroe, whose birth name was Norma Jeane Mortenson. Monroe rose to international fame during the 1950s with films such as "Some Like It Hot," "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," and "The Seven Year Itch" before her death at age 36 in 1962.

The research was conducted by the genealogy platform MyHeritage, whose spokesperson Roi Mandel noted the longstanding public perception of similarities between the two actresses. Mandel described uncovering their shared ancestry as a remarkable discovery.

This familial connection adds an intriguing dimension to the public profiles of both actresses, highlighting unexpected links that can emerge through detailed examination of genealogical records.

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