Untangling How Dakota Johnson and Marilyn Monroe Are Related

Dakota Johnson Looks Nearly Unrecognizable in Marilyn Monroe TransformationTurns out Dakota Johnson is Marilyn Monroe’s lost cousin. After The Lost Daughter actress was confirmed to be starring in the short film Flesh Impact as the Hollywood legend, scientists revealed that the pair are distantly related. “Their shared ancestry traces back to Richard [Tydings] and Charity Tydings, 17th-century English settlers in Maryland,” read a press release from MyHeritage. “Marilyn descends from their daughter Pretitia, while Dakota and [her father] Don Johnson descend from her younger sister, Mary.” In other words, Johnson and Monroe are ninth cousins three times removed, according to a family tree created by the online genealogy platform. As for what inspired the MyHeritage team to dig into a familial link between the two? “With a new film bringing Marilyn Monroe back into the spotlight, our research team wanted to see whether there was a deeper family connection,” MyHeritage researcher Naama Lanski said in a statement. “Discovering that Dakota Johnson and Marilyn Monroe are related turns the casting into a real-life family story.”With one glance at the short film’s first look, it’s not so shocking that Johnson and Monroe are cut from the same cloth. After all, the Fifty Shades alum looked eerily like the Gentlemen Prefer Blondes actress as she underwent a complete transformation for the role. Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images, Photo by Bettmann ArchiveIn a photo shared alongside a press release for the film, which sees Johnson portray “Monroe at the height of her fame,” the Fifty Shades alum ditched her signature brunette hairdo for a curly blonde bob. But what really took the look home was her glam, which included pink lipstick, long lashes and, of course, Monroe’s signature beauty mark above her lip. But Johnson isn’t the only star who underwent a complete makeover in honor of Monroe’s legacy. Indeed, Ellen Burstyn is also set to play the 1950s icon, per the release, “as a version of Marilyn the world never had a chance to see.” Photo credit: GenesisThe short film—written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal in partnership with global automotive brand Genesis—will have its World Premiere at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival in honor of Monroe’s 100th birthday. “I’ve always been fascinated by Marilyn Monroe. So, when Genesis first came to me with the idea of a celebratory project for her centennial, I knew I wanted to work together on bringing this story to life,” Gyllenhaal said of the film—also starring Peter Sarsgaard and Sepideh Moafi—in a July 27 statement. “With Flesh Impact, we showcase the timeless icon we know and love through a modern lens that reclaims her story.” Keep reading for more celebs you may not have known are related…John Salangsang/Shutterstock; Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/ShutterstockNancy Cartwright & Sabrina CarpenterThe Simpsons actor, who has voiced Bart since the show premiered in 1989, is the aunt of the "Espresso" singer. “She's not a blood relative,” Nancy clarified on a January 2026 episode of Toon’d In with Jim Cummings. “Her grandmother was married to my dad, so her dad was my stepbrother.” And that family connection led to Nancy playing a pivotal role in Sabrina's success. “They would come out every year and stay with me," she continued. "They lived with me for four months at a time during pilot season and helped her get management [and an] agent.” The Emmy winner added, "She certainly doesn't need my help. I gave her a little boost and she ran with it, and I'm very proud of her.”Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images/Steve Granitz/FilmMagicLena Dunham & Larry David On a 2024 episode of Finding Your Roots, host Henry Louis Gates Jr., revealed that Lena Dunham had a distant ancestor in common with Larry David on her mother's side. Astrid Stawiarz/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images/Instagram/Gypsy Rose BlanchardStassi Schroeder & Gypsy Rose BlanchardGenealogist Dr. Adina Newman, known on Instagram as My Family Genie, revealed Blanchard and the Vanderpump Rules alum are allegedly related on their paternal grandmother's side dating back all the way to the 1600s. Schroeder, a self-professed true crime fan, commented on Newman's post, "Omg I'm unwell."Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Hollywood ReporterAntonio Banderas & Dakota JohnsonThe Mask of Zorro star was married to the Fifty Shades of Grey actress' mother Melanie Griffith for 20 years before they ultimately split in 2015, but that doesn't mean the stepfather and daughter's bond has been severed. Johnson got emotional when she presented an award to Banderas at the 2019 Hollywood Film Awards. "I come from a family of many a marriage and I got very lucky," Johnson, whose dad is actor Don Johnson, said. "I got a bonus dad who I realized that, over time, is actually one of the most influential people in my whole life," she said. "When I was six years old, my mother married a man who brought an unbelievably bright light and a whole new world of creativity and culture—and one remarkably magical little sister into our family."Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for SiriusXMAlix Earle & Dylan DreyerGet ready to have your mind blown: The TikToker and the Today anchor are second cousins. "Growing up, your dad is like one of seven. You have lots of brothers and sisters," Dreyer told Earle of her dad Thomas "TJ" Earle, who is the morning show host's first cousin, during a May 2026 broadcast. "You have a million cousins. The Christmas card, when it arrives every year, there's like 100 people in it."InstagramRobyn Lively & Blake LivelyThe Teen Witch star and the Gossip Girl alum are half-sisters who share the same mom, talent manager Elaine Lively.Getty ImagesElle King & Rob SchneiderThe "Ex's & Oh's" singer is the SNL vet's daughter, born from his relationship with former model London King.Getty ImagesLudacris & MonicaThe Fast & Furious star is cousins with the R&B singer thanks to her stepfather, Reverend Edward Best, who happens to be the rapper's uncle.Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesConan O'Brien & Denis LearyThe late-night host and the Rescue Me alum are third cousins.Getty ImagesSteven Spielberg & Jessica CapshawThe onetime Grey's Anatomy doc has called the legendary director stepdad ever since he married her mom Kate Capshaw in 1991.Getty ImagesYara Shahidi & NasThe Grown-ish star calls the rapper her second cousin. She was even the flower girl in his 2005 wedding with now ex-wife Kelis.Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty ImagesLea Thompson & Zoey DeutchThe actress is the daughter of the Back to the Future icon.J. Merritt/FilmMagicKiefer Sutherland & Sarah SutherlandNot only did the Veep vet make a name for herself playing a famous daughter on the HBO comedy, but she's also a famous daughter in real life. The erstwhile Jack Bauer star is her father.Todd Williamson/Getty ImagesPhil Collins & Lily CollinsSome Emily in Paris viewers were très shocked to discover Lily is the daughter of the English Grammy winner. Andrew Burton/Getty ImagesAmy Schumer & Chuck SchumerThe comedian and the New York Senator are actually related, as he's the first cousin of her father.Getty ImagesKate Middleton, Dakota Fanning & Elle FanningAccording to a 2014 People interview, a family historian from Ancestry.com claimed that the Fannings and the Princess of Wales are all descendants of King Edward III, who ruled England from 1327 to 1377, making them very distant relatives—21st cousins, to be exact.Paul Archuleta/FilmMagicJonah Hill & Beanie FeldsteinThe actors are actually brother and sister.©Academy Museum Foundation; Photo by Hunter AbramsNiecy Nash, Danielle Brooks & Sterling K. BrownTalent runs in this family, as the Reno 911! alum, Orange Is the New Black actress and This Is Us star are all cousins. "We are blood related!" Nash wrote on Instagram January 2024, sharing a photo of the trio at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Third Annual Fundraising Gala. "REAL cousins!"Getty ImagesJason Sudeikis & George WendtThe SNL alum calls the Cheers icon Uncle George whenever he sees him. At least, we assume he does.John Shearer/Getty Images for AMC/Dave M. Benett/Getty ImagesStephen Dillane & Frank DillaneYep, Game of Thrones' Stannis Baratheon is the real-life dad of Fear the Walking Dead's Nick Clark.Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Danny Martindale/WireImageLily Allen & Sam SmithThe brunette beauty and the "Stay With Me" singer are third cousins. During a radio interview, Smith admitted that the pair have never met because their family is "huge."Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Netflix/AP ImagesLiev Schreiber & Pablo SchreiberThe Salt actor and the memorable Law & Order: SVU guest star are half-brothers.Getty ImagesMelissa McCarthy & Jenny McCarthyYou may not have guessed but the Bridesmaids comedian and the former View co-host are cousins.Steve Granitz/Getty ImagesJulia Roberts & Emma RobertsThe We're the Millers actress has the perfect mentor in the Pretty Woman star, who happens to be her auntie.Getty ImagesLacey Schwimmer & David SchwimmerWho knew the stunning Dancing With the Stars pro is second cousins with the Friends alum?Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesAlexander Skarsgård & Stellan SkarsgårdThe True Blood vampire caught the acting bug from his dear old dad who stars in both The Avengers and Thor franchises.J. Vespa/WireImage; Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagicSofia Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, Nicolas Cage & Francis Ford CoppolaThe Ghost Rider actor comes from an extremely talented family. One of his cousins directed The Bling Ring, the other starred in Saving Mr. Banks and his uncle directed The Godfather.Eamonn McCormack/WireImageLily Allen & Alfie AllenThe outspoken British singer is the older sister of the Game of Thrones star. She even wrote a song about him titled "Alfie."Scott Wintrow/Getty ImagesBrooke Shields & Glenn CloseThe Damages star and the Lipstick Jungle actress are second cousins.Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesShirley MacLaine & Warren BeattyThe Terms of Endearment actress originally inspired her baby brother to get into show business.For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App