On Tuesday’s episode of The View, the EGOT winner was left speechless when she learned that she and former NFL star Tony Gonzalez are actually cousins, according to a new DNA finding.
The revelation was made by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the historian and host of the long-running PBS series Finding Your Roots. On the series, Gates works with expert researchers in genealogy and history to inform guests about their ancestors.
Goldberg appeared in an earlier season of the show when it was called African American Lives. But a decade after that series, Gates, Jr. discovered her connection to Gonzalez.
“On the first series, I did [a number of Black celebrities including] Whoopi and we didn’t have the sophisticated tests that we now use for DNA at that time,” Gates explained. “You all know about DNA cousins? You have a DNA cousin, dear … Tony Gonzales is your DNA cousin.”Upon learning the news, Goldberg was at a loss for words. “That’s my cousin!?” she asked, keeping her mouth agape and struggling to speak again.
Her View co-hosts had plenty to say, though, thirsting after the former football tight end, who played in the NFL for 17 seasons and currently works as a football analyst on Prime Video.
“He is smoking!” Sunny Hostin gushed while Sara Haines joked, ” Wow, I want to come over for your family dinner.”
“They could be kissing cousins,” teased Joy Behar. (Gonzalez is married to October Tobie, with whom he shares three children. He has another son from a previous relationship with entertainment reporter Lauren Sánchez).
Added Gates, Jr., “How’s that for a Christmas present?”By the episode’s end, Goldberg had regained her composure. “Cousin Tony, come see me here. We’d like to have you here at The View,” she said. “Tony Gonzalez, come on!”
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Goldberg isn’t the first celebrity to learn they were related to another star through genealogy testing.
During an episode of Ancestry’s 2 Lies & A Leaf series, Ashley Tisdale learned she and her best friend Austin Butler are 10th cousins once removed. “No wonder we have such a connection!” Tisdale, 38, said when she heard the news. “We’ve always said we were brother and sister! That is insane. I literally am going to cry.”
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