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The Best Episodes of Who Do You Think You Are?

Every episode of Who Do You Think You Are? ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Who Do You Think You Are?!

The Best Episodes of Who Do You Think You Are?

From roots in the Deep South to the slums of New Jersey, "Who Do You Think You Are?" follows the journeys of some of the...

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  1. 8.7/10(69 votes)

    #1 - Kelly Clarkson

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    S4:E1

    Singer Kelly Clarkson explores her lineage and uncovers an ancestor deeply rooted in American history; she comes face-to-face with her 3x great grandfather's wartime bravery and sacrifice.

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  2. 8.2/10(26 votes)

    #2 - Hilary Duff

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    S10:E4

    Actress Hilary Duff uncovers the tale of an ancestor who bravely led an American colony to battle a notorious gang of pirates; she dives centuries-deep into her Scottish roots and is shocked to discover that she descends from a heroic medieval king.

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  3. 8.2/10(15 votes)

    #3 - Molly Shannon

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    S10:E5

    Actress Molly Shannon heads to Ireland in search of her mother’s unknown family tree. She finds desperate ancestors forced to choose between their faith and survival; uncovers a family legacy of bravery; and meets Irish cousins for the first time.

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  4. 8.1/10(26 votes)

    #4 - Megan Mullally

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    S10:E3

    Megan Mullally explores a shocking pattern of dysfunction in her father's line; she finds her two-times great grandmother was bravely defying societal norms in order to fight for her family's survival, while struggling to hang on to her own sanity.

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  5. 8.0/10(44 votes)

    #5 - Christina Applegate

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    S4:E2

    Actress Christina Applegate investigates her paternal grandmother - a stranger to her and her father. Uncovering dramatic details along the way, Christina gains insight into the life and hardships of the woman she and her father loved, but never knew.

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  6. 8.0/10(54 votes)

    #6 - Zooey Deschanel

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    S4:E4

    Actress Zooey Deschanel searches for rumored abolitionists in her father’s Ouaker family background. Her journey takes her around Pennsylvania where she uncovers, and follows, the story of a remarkable ancestor who sacrificed everything for her beliefs.

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Who Do You Think You Are?

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  8. 8.0/10(12 votes)

    #7 - Matthew Morrison

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    S11:E4

    Actor Matthew Morrison explores his American roots for the first time and is surprised to discover his family's ties to the Revolutionary War. He learns of the bold lengths his ancestor went through to protect his allegiances and the brutality he faced on the battlefield.

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  9. 7.9/10(36 votes)

    #8 - Chris O'Donnell

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    S4:E5

    In memory of his late father, actor Chris O’Donnell investigates the paternal side of his family and finds ancestors on the frontlines of American history. Chris explores a patriotic legacy and a family devotion that extends deeper than he ever imagined.

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  10. 7.9/10(23 votes)

    #9 - Jon Cryer

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    S10:E1

    Jon Cryer's journey takes him from America to Scotland as he uncovers the dramatic tale of an ancestor who survived a catastrophic battle, endured horrific conditions as a prisoner of war, and was forced to come to America as an indentured servant.

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  11. 7.9/10(17 votes)

    #10 - Mandy Moore

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    S11:E1

    Actress Mandy Moore is shocked to discover ancestors who lived in Australia and travels far, determined to unlock the mystery of how they got there. Moore is touched by the courage of those who made the journey and the sacrifice of those who were left behind.

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  12. 7.8/10(46 votes)

    #11 - Chelsea Handler

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    S4:E3

    Media mogul Chelsea Handler confronts a deep family secret: her Grandfather’s rumored Nazi past. As she dives into her family’s struggle to survive in a desperate time, the details uncovered will finally confirm or deny his affiliation to the dark regime.

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  13. 7.6/10(36 votes)

    #12 - Cindy Crawford

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    S4:E6

    World famous supermodel Cindy Crawford takes a journey to discover her family origins. With travels to the UK and beyond, she discovers ancestors dating back to the English Civil War, and even finds a connection linking her to early European royalty!

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  14. 7.6/10(23 votes)

    #13 - Trisha Yearwood

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    S4:E7

    Since her parents passed, country singer Trisha Yearwood knows little about her paternal side of the family. Her search for a deeper family connection takes Trisha to England, where she uncovers an ancestor’s history of crime, loss, and perseverance.

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  15. 7.6/10(21 votes)

    #14 - Jean Smart

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    S10:E6

    Actress Jean Smart uncovers the curious tale of an unconventional ancestor in colonial Massachusetts, who got her children entangled in her own thievery ring and later faced execution when she was accused of witchcraft.

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  16. 7.4/10(19 votes)

    #15 - Josh Duhamel

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    S11:E2

    Actor Josh Duhamel travels to England to investigate the extraordinary life of his twelve times great-grandfather and uncovers an astonishing, dark twist of interrogation and torture that rocks his belief system to the core.

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  17. 6.9/10(17 votes)

    #16 - Laverne Cox

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    S10:E2

    Actress and activist Laverne Cox pieces together the inspiring life of her African American ancestor, who challenged societal norms and bravely pushed the boundaries just years after Emancipation.

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  18. 6.9/10(13 votes)

    #17 - Regina King

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    S11:E3

    Actress Regina King investigates her maternal family tree and uncovers an ancestor who was a passionate civil rights activist in Alabama; a man who came out of slavery, endured horrific violence, but never stopped fighting for his people.

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  19. 6.6/10(72 votes)

    #18 - Jim Parsons

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    S4:E8

    In tribute to his late father, actor Jim Parsons explores the ancestors on his paternal side of the family. The journey takes Jim to Louisiana and eventually France, where he discovers generations of his forefathers who made an indelible mark in history.

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  20. NaN/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Sarah Jessica Parker

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    S1:E1

    Sarah Jessica Parker is a celebrated icon in film and television as well as fashion, who recently served as a producer and reprised her Emmy Award-winning role as Carrie Bradshaw for the screen adaptation of the hit HBO series "Sex and the City." The actress took an emotional journey from coast to coast in search of her family's roots, crossing paths with the California Gold Rush and the Salem Witch Trials.

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  21. NaN/10(0 votes)

    #20 - Emmitt Smith

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    S1:E2

    Emmitt Smith is an NFL Hall of Fame running back who, since retirement, has devoted himself to business and giving back to the community. But recently, he decided to embark on a journey inward, tracing his family's past. It was a journey that took him beyond his wildest expectations, discovering not only his African roots, but his connections to slave owners in Virginia.

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  22. NaN/10(0 votes)

    #21 - Lisa Kudrow

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    S1:E3

    Lisa Kudrow journeys to the small Jewish town of Ilya where she discovers how her great-grandmother died in the Holocaust. Yet, Lisa finds hope when she uncovers a 60-year old family mystery.

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  23. NaN/10(0 votes)

    #22 - Matthew Broderick

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    S1:E4

    On his journey to learn more about his paternal roots, Matthew Broderick discovers the heroic story of his grandfather during World War I and finds the final resting place of his great-great-grandfather who fought in the Civil War.

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  24. NaN/10(0 votes)

    #23 - Brooke Shields

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    S1:E5

    Brooke learns a tragic secret about her grandmother and then discovers a connection to royalty through her paternal roots.

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  25. NaN/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Susan Sarandon

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    S1:E6

    Susan leads an emotionally charged search for her family roots. Starting with her estranged grandmother Anita who abandoned Susan's mother in early childhood, Susan's journey takes her all the way to Tuscany, Italy. Back in America, Susan discovers a surprising connection to her grandmother.

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  26. NaN/10(0 votes)

    #25 - Spike Lee

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    S1:E7

    Spike begins his journey in Atlanta, Georgia, where his grandmother Zimmie worked in the segregated Southern systems for many years. Here, Spike follows the trail of his ancestors dating back to the Civil War and discovers a shocking family connection.

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Best Episodes Summary

"Kelly Clarkson" is the best rated episode of "Who Do You Think You Are?". It scored 8.7/10 based on 69 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 7/23/2013. This episode scored 0.5 points higher than the second highest rated, "Hilary Duff".