Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty; Annapurna Pictures
Ancestryhas uncovered whySam Rockwell‘s portrayal ofGeorge W. Bushin theupcoming Dick Cheney biopicViceis so uncanny — because they’re related!
According to a new report from the genealogy website, the 50-year-old actor and 72-year-old politician’s bloodlines connect back in the 17th century with a man named Jacob Decker, who lived from 1671 to 1761. They’re technically eighth cousins once removed.
According to Ancestry, Decker and his wife Anna Kortregt were Dutch settlers who lived in Ulster, New York. They were married in 1695 and had 11 children. That makes Decker the seventh great-grandfather of Rockwell and the eighth great-grandfather of Bush.
Presley Ann/Getty; Getty
This isn’t the first time a little lineage research has uncovered a connection between an actor and the politician he has a knack for recreating. The PBS showFinding Your Rootspreviously discovered that Vermont Sen.Bernie SandersandSeinfeldcreatorLarry Davidwere distant cousins. David hasflawlessly portrayed Sanders onSaturday Night Liveon several occasions.
The film also starsAmy Adamsas Cheney’s wife Lynne andSteve Carellas Donald Rumsfeld, Bush’s secretary of defense.
During an appearance onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showearlier this month, Rockwell opened up about playing the former president. Explained Rockwell, “I just kind of did what Christian [Bale] did, I obsessed and listened to him and watched him on talk shows.”
He continued, “Lots of interviews, just like listening to him over and over again for months. … I hope that the acting is going to penetrate through the impression.”
source: people.com
