One of the more interesting aspects of studying genealogy is finding the famous people you’re related to. Anyone who has read my book, Inheriting the Trade, knows that I’m distantly (very distantly) related to Samuel Colt, inventer of the Colt .45 revolver, William Hopper, who played Paul Drake on the Perry Mason television series, Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick, and the actress Ethel Barrymore.

Which means, yes it is true, that Drew Barrymore and I are cousins… sort of. Let’s see. Her great aunt Ethel was married to my fifth cousin, twice removed. I have yet to determine how to figure out the exact relationship–by marriage and not blood, I think–between Drew and me, but it is there… somewhere…

The main thing is that our family follows Drew’s career and activities with fond interest. I was particularly pleased when she took an interest in humanitarian food programs in Africa and, after working with the World Food Program for two years, was named an Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations.

On Monday I watched the Oprah Winfrey show (one of the advantages of working at home) and Drew Barrymore was her first guest. Drew was there to make a special gift to the World Food Program. She wrote them a check for one million dollars. It is gratifying to see someone who has been so blessed in her life offer her time, her energy, and her money to such an important cause.

You can join Drew Barrymore and our family in supporting the World Food Program here.