Niecy Nash Reveals How She's Related to Oscar Nominees Danielle Brooks and Sterling K. Brown

Talent runs strong in Niecy Nash-Betts' family. 

After all, the recent Emmy winner revealed that she's related to Orange Is the New Black's Danielle Brooks and This Is Us star Sterling K. Brown. 

"Both of my COUSINS are OSCAR NOMINATED," Niecy wrote on Instagram Jan. 23, sharing a photo of herself and the two stars at last year's Academy Museum of Motion Pictures gala. "Yes! We are blood related! REAL cousins!"

The Reno 911! alum added, "I'm so proud of my fam! @thedaniellebrooks @sterlingkbrown I'm rooting for you!"

Needless to say, many of Niecy's fans and friends were floored by the family connection. As Kerry Washington put it, "So the talent runs in the family, got it."

"Yaaaaaasssss," Danielle's The Color Purple costar Taraji P. Henson wrote alongside three heart emojis, with Kandi Burruss adding in the comments section, "Talented family!"  

Niecy's post came hours after Danielle and Sterling each received their first-ever Oscar nomination. Danielle was recognized in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role category for her portrayal of Sofia in The Color Purple, while Sterling received a Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role nod for his work in American Fiction.

"It's one thing to dream of this occasion but to have it actually happen is mind blowing," Danielle said of her nomination in a statement to E! News. "This role demanded a lot from me mentally and physically because of the emotional complexity Sofia carries, but I would do it over and over again in a heartbeat because the importance of this character is so crucial to humanity, to who we all are, to learning to stand up for ourselves and get back up when the world pushes us down."

 

Meanwhile, Sterling described the career milestone as "crazy."

"It's nice to be part of history," Sterling said in an Instagram video, pointing out how he and costar Jeffrey Wright are the first Black actors from the same film to be simultaneously nominated in the lead and supporting actor categories. "Really cool."

For more surprising celeb family connections, keep reading.

Genealogist 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.

Stassi, a self-professed true crime fan, commented on Newman's post, "Omg I'm unwell."

The 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."

The Teen Witch star and the Gossip Girl alum are half-sisters who share the same mom, talent manager Elaine Lively.

The "Ex's & Oh's" singer is the SNL vet's daughter, born from his relationship with former model London King.

The rapper and Fast & Furious franchise star is cousins with the R&B singer thanks to her stepfather, Reverend Edward Best, who happens to be Luda's uncle.

The late-night host and the Rescue Me creator are third cousins.

The onetime Grey's Anatomy doc has called the legendary director stepdad ever since he married her mom Kate Capshaw in 1991.

The Grown-ish star calls the rapper her second cousin. She was even the flower girl in his 2005 wedding with now ex-wife Kelis!

The star of The Politician is also the daughter of the Back to the Future icon.

Not 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.

Some Emily in Paris viewers were très shocked to discover Lily is the daughter of the English Grammy winner. 

The comedian and the New York Senator are actually related, as he's the first cousin of her father.

According to a 2014 People interview, a family historian from Ancestry.com claimed that the Fannings and the Duchess of Cambridge are all descendants of King Edward III, who ruled England from 1327 to 1377, making them very distant relatives—21st cousins, to be exact.

The actors are actually brother and sister!

Talent 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!" Niecy wrote on Instagram January 2024. "REAL cousins!"

The SNL alum calls the Cheers icon Uncle George whenever he seems him. At least, we assume he does.

Yep, Game of Thrones' Stannis Baratheon is the real-life dad of Fear the Walking Dead's Nick Clark.

The brunette beauty and the soulful "Stay With Me" crooner are third cousins. During a radio interview, Smith admitted that the pair have never met because their family is "huge."

The Salt actor and the memorable Law & Order: SVU guest star are half-brothers.

You may not have guessed but the Bridesmaids comedian and The View co-host are cousins.

The gorgeous British model is the eldest child of the Bush lead singer. The father and daugher first met when Lowe was 14 after she requested a paternity test. 

The We're the Millers actress has the perfect mentor in the Pretty Woman star, who happens to be her auntie.

Who knew the stunning Dancing With the Stars pro is second cousins with the Friends star?

The sexy True Blood vampire caught the acting bug from his dear old dad who stars in both The Avengers and Thor franchises.

The 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.

The outspoken British singer is the older sister of the Game of Thrones star. She even wrote a song about him titled "Alfie."

 

The Damages star and the Lipstick Jungle actress are second cousins.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty actress originally inspired her baby brother to get into show business.

The gorgeous Parks and Recreation actress is the daughter of the legendary music producer.

The Lost actor has a very famous cousin in the Mission: Impossible action star.

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