How Bill Hader Found Out He Was Related To Carol Burnett

Bill Hader has a surprising connection to another famous performer — and it looks like sketch comedy is a family affair. As a kid, Hader's family was all about movies. "We were a big movie family — even more so than television and books," Hader said on "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross in 2012. "My grandparents lived next door to us when we were growing up — my mom's parents — and they were the reading house, and our house was the movie house."

Now a father himself, the "Saturday Night Live" alum is hard at work raising the three children he shared with his ex-wife, Maggie Carey: Hannah, Harper, and Hayley. In a jaw-dropping 2016 episode of the hit PBS show, "Finding Your Roots," Hader discovered that his 40th great-grandfather was none other than Charlemagne, an emperor who once ruled the Holy Roman Empire, as reported by History. But the surprises don't end there. The comedian recently uncovered yet another famous connection in his family tree — showbiz icon and legendary comedian Carol Burnett. 

Bill Hader received the surprising news of his connection to Carol Burnett through an email, as he excitedly shared with ET in April 2023. "Yeah, [Burnett] emailed me and said, 'Hey, we're related,'" Hader recalled. "And I went, 'What?'" Additionally, Hader stated that he and Burnett have remained in contact. "We've been texting and emailing and stuff, so it's been really exciting. I hope I can, like, have dinner with her," Hader said.

When the "Barry" star visited "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in April 2023, Kimmel noted that Burnett had discovered she is "like, a distant cousin" of Hader's. Hader detailed how Burnett heard this news on "Finding Your Roots" before emailing him to let him know. "It's insane," Hader said. Kimmel then shared a past video clip in which Hader revealed he previously "had a giant crush on [Burnett]" as he watched Burnett's comedy series, "The Carol Burnett Show." In this 2015 interview, Hader shared his affection for the comedy icon. "She's so charming and genuine and sweet," Hader said in a clip posted to "The Carol Burnett Show" YouTube Channel, adding that Burnettt's show "had this very welcoming feeling. It was all led from the heart." Burnett has also spoken about her emotions amid learning that Hader is family.

Carol Burnett was happy to learn that Bill Hader is a distant family member of hers. The iconic performer confirmed that she and Hader "are distantly related" while stopping by "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in April 2023. She said of this discovery, "It's just great, you know," before stating, "I'm very thrilled that we are related."

At a recent premiere event for his show "Barry," Hader praised Burnett in an "Access Hollywood" interview. "She's the best," Hader said of Burnett. He added, "I would love for my kids to meet her, and we can have dinner or something. I think that would be really exciting." 

Vulture notes that NBC plans to honor Burnett with a special called "Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love" for her upcoming 90th birthday. Hader is listed as one of the famous faces set to make an appearance, which was scheduled to film in March and will debut on April 26. Other celebs on the guest list include Katy Perry, Kristen Wiig, and Steve Carrell. Burnett expressed her excitement leading up to the taping. "I can't wait to look back at so many wonderful moments throughout my career, I feel so lucky to share this night with everyone," she said.