Native Americans are in integral part of American genetics. With genetic testing more readily available today, more and more people are finding out about their Native American ancestry and heritage. Some of the people that you encounter on a day-to-day basis might unknowingly have Native American blood. There have been many influential and popular people throughout history that have claimed their Native American heritage. These are 20 of some of the most famous celebrities that come from a Native American heritage.
1. Elvis Presley
Famed singer and King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley is probably one of the most popular celebrities with the most documented Native American heritage. Specifically, Presley comes from a Cherokee ancestry. The book, Elvis and Gladys,details the singer’s lineage going back to his maternal great-great-great grandmother—a Cherokee woman who was called Morning White Dove. According to the history, Morning White Dove married a man who comes from a French background, William Mansell. The couple had three children, which includes Presley’s great-great grandfather John Mansell. Mansell had a child named White, who eventually married Martha Tackett. Tackett had a daughter named Doll Mansell, who eventually became the mother of Glady’s Presley—Elvis’ mother.
2. Jimi Hendrix
Closer to his own personal lineage, Hendrix’s Cherokee heritage is strong. Although it wasn’t anything talked about publicly during his time, Hendrix’s grandmother was Cherokee. This ancestry was something that the Hendrix family celebrated and was deeply proud of. The musician’s family even submitted some of his personal belongings on a long-term loan to the National Museum of the American Indian in New York City. At the museum, visitors can view and learn about the many contributions of Native Americans to the culture of American music throughout history.
3. Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is the type of person that refuses a category. She’s a gifted actress, a humanitarian, a philanthropist, and a beautiful mother. Her heritage is much like who she is as a person, deeply rooted and complex. Her father, fellow actor Jon Voight, comes from a part-German and part-Eastern European ethnicity. Jolie’s mother on the other hand came from a French Canadian, Dutch, and German background. Through Jolie’s father’s ancestral line, Jolie happens to be part Native American, specifically Iroquois.
4. Cameron Diaz
There are some people out there that has such a strikingly unique look that it’s hard to pinpoint what their heritage could be. One example is actress Cameron Diaz. She may pass as white, but her background is a little bit more complicated than that. Diaz’s father, Emilio Diaz, is Cuban-American. This means that Diaz is of Spanish descent, as her ancestors migrated from Spain to Cuba so long ago. According to Diaz, her mother is of Italian, German, and Native American ethnicity. There’s no further detail as to what tribe her heritage comes from or whether the information has been officially verified.
5. Johnny Depp
Fascinating doesn’t even begin to describe who Johnny Depp is. He’s one of the most beloved and prolific actors in the industry. Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, Depp mostly comes from an English background. He does have some French, German, and Irish ancestry. His family has deep roots in American history. His last name, Depp, comes from a known French immigrant that settled in Virginia in the 1700s, Pierre Dieppe. He is also descended from historical freedom fighter Elizabeth Key Grinstead. Depp claims that his great grandmother was of Cherokee or Creek Indian descent. In addition, he’s become an honorary son and adopted member of a Native American family. Comanche Nation tribal member La Donna Harris adopted Johnny Depp during his promotion of the film, The Lone Ranger.
6. Cher
There’s been a lot of controversy about Cher’s heritage. Does she come from a Native American background? Identifiably, Cher comes from half Armenian and half Scottish, Irish, German, and Dutch ethnicities. On her 1973 hit Half Breed, the singer sings, “My father married a pure Cherokee; my mother’s people were ashamed of me; the Indians said I was white by law; the white man always called me Indian Squaw.” Whether the basis of this is some truth or not remains to be verified. According to Cher, she is one-sixteenth part Cherokee through her mother’s ancestry. Who are we to claim falsehood?
7. Vanessa Hudgens
One of the most underrated actresses of her generation, Vanessa Hudgens comes from a unique heritage. While Hudgens is vocal about her Filipino heritage through her mother, who herself comes from a Spanish and Chinese background, we don’t hear her talk much about her father’s ancestry. From her father’s side, Hudgens is part French, Irish, and Native American. What tribe her father’s ancestors belonged to is unknown.
8. Beyoncé
This might be the biggest surprise for some readers here, but Beyoncé seem to have some Native American ancestry. In a L’Oréal makeup commercial back in 2012, Beyoncé went on record to say that her skin is the way it is because it tells a story of her heritage—African American, Native American, and French. What this means specifically is not explained in further depth. Beyoncé has always celebrated her Creole heritage, and there have been articles reviewing as to how Creole indigeneity works. Native American is used too often as an over-generalization.
9. Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum was one of the more prominent faces of early 2000 films. Tatum obviously presents as nothing but white, but his patrilineal line traces back to London, England. His ancestry includes English, Scottish, German, Welsh, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, and even some distant French. However, Channing’s family has lived in the American South for many generations now. He himself claims that he’s got Native American and Creole ancestry from his father’s genealogy. Tatum’s lineage is heavily documented, but we’re not entirely sure what part his Native American ancestry comes from.
10. Chuck Norris
One of the biggest names in American martial arts and film, Chuck Norris is one of a kind. His Native American ancestry is of no question. Norris is part Irish and part Cherokee Indian. Both his paternal grandmother and maternal grandfather were full blooded Cherokee. Both of his parents were then half Irish and half Cherokee. Some say that there are inconsistencies in his claims because most of his family’s surnames are English-based. But only Norris and his family could really know where their roots come from.
11. Tori Amos
American singer, songwriter, composer, and pianist Tori Amos has had a rich music career since the late 70s. She’s one of the most unique and recognizable voices in her industry. Amos is famous for her red hair and quirky personality, but many people don’t know much about her heritage. She comes from English, Scottish, and remote French ancestry, but she’s also stated that she’s part Cherokee from her mother’s side. Amos has stated that her both her maternal great-great grandparents were full-blooded Cherokee. However, her family are listed as “White” on the United States Censuses.
12. Tommy Lee Jones
Academy Award winner Tommy Lee Jones has had a successful career starting from when he was a student at Harvard. However, he comes from the humblest of beginnings. Both his parents were hardworking middle class members of society. Jones was born in and raised in Texas. He has said that he has some Cherokee ancestry. He has even referred to himself in the past as a “little Indian boy.” According to Jones, one of his paternal great-great grandmothers, Harriet Jane Walls, was part Cherokee. Walls was supposedly the daughter of a Native American woman called Nicameah.
13. Taylor Lautner
In the Twilight films, Taylor Lautner played the role of Jacob Black, a member of the Quileute Native American Tribe of La Push. According to sources, the filmmakers only cast actors with Native American heritage to play the roles of the Quileute members in the film. Lautner himself has some German, French, and Dutch ancestry from his father’s side, but he could definitely pass as non-white. Through his mother, Lautner has some distant Native American ancestry—specifically Ottawa and Potawatomi.
14. Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly’s ancestry is as unique as her star quality is. She is easily recognizable in Hollywood for her look and for her voice. Tilly is known for her work in movies such as Liar Liar (1997), Stuart Little (1999), and The Haunted Mansion (2003). Tilly is generally regarded as Asian Irish. His father was of Chinese descent, and her mother was both Irish and Finnish. It’s been said that Tilly gets her Native American heritage from her mother’s side, although there aren’t a lot of documentation as to how.
15. Anthony Kiedis
One of the most influential and talented lyricist and vocalist from the 90s is Red Hot Chili Pepper’ Anthony Kiedis. Kiedis has been singing with the band since 1983, and he has been vocal about honoring and celebrating his Native American heritage since he found out that he has some Mohican ancestry. Kiedis took this knowledge to heart and tries to live as one with Mother Earth. Although many find his ways misguided and he’s even been criticized by the Mohican tribe, Kiedis will always stay true to what he believes is right. In 2007, Kiedis named his child Everly Bear as a tribute to his heritage.
16. Ben Harper
California native Ben Harper is another musician on this list to have some Cherokee heritage. Harper’s late father, Leonard Harper, was of Cherokee and African American ancestry. His paternal grandmother was supposedly part Cherokee. Harper’s mother on the other hand is Jewish with Russian-Lithuanian ethnicity. Ben Harper’s career has been going and evolving since the early 90s. He is truly one of the biggest folk and blues talents of his generation.
17. Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is a living American music legend. She has influenced the country music industry in so many ways and continues to be an inspiration to young artists today. At first glance, Parton is your stereotypical southern lady. She’s sweet and sassy, and she’s got the look to boot. Parton has been said to have some degree of Cherokee ancestry, and it seems she’s dedicated to honoring this heritage. Parton owns the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. She put up a replica of a Native American village that features Cherokee summer and winter homes. There are also featured demonstrations of Native American culture, storytelling, food, music, and more.
18. Rosario Dawson
Beautiful and multi-faceted, Rosario Dawson is one of Hollywood’s biggest talents. Dawson rose to fame for her roles in movies such as Seven Pounds (2008) and Rent (2005). There’s always been captivating about Dawson and her heritage. She happens to be of Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban descent from her mother’s side. Her mother also happens to have Taino roots, though there’s no documentation as to how far back the roots go. It seems that Dawson’s biological father was Caucasian. Dawson’s mother had her when she was only 16 years old and never married Dawson’s father. Eventually, her mother married a construction worker, Greg Dawson—hence the name.
19. Kid Cudi
Born as Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, American hip-hop artist is a mixture of ethnicities. He is part African American and some Mexican as well. In addition, Kid Cudi’s father was half Cherokee, making him part Cherokee as well. This is something that Kid Cudi has always known. However when his father passed away, the traditions of the culture died along with him. Kid Cudi didn’t have anyone around him that cared about uplifting and maintaining his Native American heritage, so he abandoned it as well.
20. Jason Momoa
Everyone is familiar with Jason Momoa’s Native Hawaiian and Polynesian ancestry from his father. The Aquaman star is outspoken about his heritage, and he clearly also looks the part. However, not many people know that Momoa also has some Native American heritage. His mother is mostly of German and Irish descent. Momoa’s mother comes from a line of Native American Pawnee.
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