Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe shares a distant ancestral tie with contemporary actress Sydney Sweeney, according to genealogical findings released by MyHeritage. The research team identified the two performers as ninth cousins, once removed, tracing their lineage back to a shared early American colonist. The revelation adds a biological dimension to long-standing cultural and stylistic comparisons between the classic film legend and the modern star.
Researchers determined that Monroe and Sweeney's family trees intersect through Ezra Perry, an English settler who lived from approximately 1625 to 1689 in Sandwich, Massachusetts. The ancestral link surfaced after genealogists chose to explore archival records to see if there was any factual basis beneath recurring public discussions comparing Sweeney to Monroe.
Archival Discoveries Trace Common Ancestry
Roi Mandel, director of research at MyHeritage, explained in a statement that the agency was motivated to investigate because observers frequently draw parallels between the two actresses. Mandel noted that finding a confirmed connection was a powerful reflection of how human history intersects across vast family trees, proving that Sweeney and Monroe possess a genuine, documented ancestral bond.
The findings arrived following numerous moments where Sweeney channeled Monroe's timeless public persona. At a December 2025 screening for "The Housemaid," Sweeney drew attention for wearing a white dress that echoed Monroe's celebrated look from the 1955 film "The Seven Year Itch." Later, during the 2026 Santa Barbara Film Festival, the "Euphoria" actress appeared in a vintage Ceil Chapman dress reminiscent of Monroe's attire on an April 1952 cover of LIFE magazine.
Dakota Johnson's Surprising Familial Link to the Screen Legend
In addition to Sweeney's lineage, the genealogy platform reported a parallel discovery involving actress Dakota Johnson. According to the platform's records, Monroe is also related to Johnson, standing as her ninth cousin, three times removed.
MyHeritage researcher Naama Lanski stated that the genealogical team decided to probe Johnson's family tree due to Monroe's renewed presence in cinema. Johnson recently took on the role of Monroe alongside veteran actress Ellen Burstyn in director Maggie Gyllenhaal's short film "Flesh Impact." Lanski noted that confirming their lineage transforms Johnson's casting into an authentic piece of real-life family history.
Monroe's Enduring Portrayals Across Hollywood History
While Sweeney has never depicted Monroe on screen, Monroe remains one of the most frequently portrayed real-life figures in American entertainment. Major dramatizations have consistently yielded critical recognition for performers who have stepped into the part over the decades.
Past screen depictions include Michelle Williams in "My Week with Marilyn" and Ana de Armas in "Blonde," both of whom secured Academy Award nominations for their portrayals. With Johnson also joining the ranks of performers playing Monroe in "Flesh Impact," the historical figure's life remains a recurring touchstone for contemporary cinematic storytellers.
As genealogical archives continue to modernize and expand, historical figures from cinema's golden age frequently resurface in conversations surrounding modern talent. With both Sweeney and Johnson actively leading contemporary projects, these archival findings provide unexpected historical context connecting today's top screen performers with one of mid-century Hollywood's most enduring icons.
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Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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