Amanda Seyfried is shocked.
The actress just revealed a shocking piece of her family history on the season 11 premiere of PBS’ Finding Your Roots.
In an exclusive clip shared by People, Mamma Mia! The actress learned of the tragic fate of her third great-grandfather, John P. Ebert, who was murdered in 1905.
As host Henry Louis Gates Jr. guides her through the discovery, Seyfried, 39, reads aloud from an old newspaper article, “He was almost to the back door… when the outhouse and the vineyard From the middle of the arbor he stepped in. A man who fired three shots at him point blank.
The article described Ebert, a retired baker and respected member of the community, as “a good citizen and an obnoxious man.”
The shocking murder happened near his home on Washington and Lumber Streets at 9:30 p.m.
Visibly moved, Seyfried reacted, “Oh my God, that’s so sad.” “Your third great grandfather was murdered,” Gates confirmed.
When asked if he had any prior knowledge of the incident, Seyfried replied, “No, no, definitely not.”
The discovery sparks mixed emotions for the Emmy-winning actress.
“It’s weird — I don’t know him, but still, he’s family,” she reflects, adding, “I’m just like, ‘How dare they!’ Like, ‘Seek justice.’
Seyfried is one of several celebrities featured on the latest season of Finding Your Roots, which delves deep into its guests’ ancestors.
Other notable participants this season include Joy Behar, Kristen Bell, Laurence Fishburne, Debra Messing, Dax Shepard, Sharon Stone, Chrissy Teigen, Amy Tan and Sheryl Lee Ralph.