Kristin Chenoweth Discovers Eerie Connection to Her Birth Dad

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Kristin Chenoweth wasn’t the only one in her family to spend one short day in the Emerald City. 

Kristin Chenoweth, adopted as a baby by Junie and Jerry Chenoweth, discovered a surprising connection with her birth father, Billy Ethridge. On the February 24th episode of Finding Your Roots, host Henry Louis Gates Jr. revealed that Billy had performed in a production of The Wizard of Oz when he was young – years before Kristin became famous for playing Glinda in Wicked on Broadway.

Kristin read aloud from a notice: “The Junior Players Guild is performing The Wizard of Oz, starting Friday at 8 p.m. in the Great Hall of St. Matthew’s Cathedral. Billy Eugene Ethridge will play the role of the Wizard.”

“You’re joking!” she said, clearly surprised. “That’s really strange! It’s just like The Wizard of Oz. Wow. It turns out we had a lot in common.”

Kristin and Billy had more than just The Wizard of Oz and Wicked in common. She discovered Billy had also performed in musicals like The King and I and A Connecticut Yankee, and he’d been part of a dance group, a music club, and his school choir.

Oh my gosh, when I think of Billy, I just know he was a rockabilly at heart! I mean, everyone says he was an amazing guitarist and pianist, but honestly, I never pictured him as some Broadway type. But… he totally was, you know? It’s just… surprising, but amazing!

After discovering the connection, the 57-year-old woman said she wished her biological father were still alive so she could share the news with him. She explained, “I just wish I could show him this.”

Kristin had mentioned Billy’s musical gift before, and she believes she got her own talent from him.

“My birth father—major musician,” she told Larry King in 2019. “Guitarist. Pianist. Perfect pitch.”

Kristin didn’t just inherit her talent from her father. She reconnected with her birth mother, Lynn, in 2012 and discovered Lynn was also a creative person who loved music. Though Lynn sadly passed away in 2023, she had a significant impact on Kristin’s life.

She shared on Instagram after Lynn’s passing that the decade-plus she knew her was a special time. Meeting Lynn helped her understand herself better, and those who knew her were drawn to her vibrant spirit. Lynn was passionate about music and art, and was a creative person herself.

Kristin explained that while she was growing up, she discovered a love for guitarists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, Doyle Bramhall, and Jimi Hendrix – and especially her biological father, Billy Ethridge. She believes they both instilled in her the artistic talent she possesses today.

Kristin has always openly discussed being adopted and how thankful she is to her parents who raised her.

She recalled her father often saying, ‘It’s like we won the lottery!’ But in a 2022 interview on Today, she explained that she felt like the lucky one.

I was so moved by what she shared. She said finding out she was adopted wasn’t a shock at all. Her parents had always been open with her, explaining that her birth mother loved her deeply but wasn’t able to provide the life she wanted for her. It was such a beautiful and honest way to put it, and it really stuck with me.

For more stars who were adopted, keep reading.

Jenna was born in South Korea on April 28, 1986. She was adopted when she was three months old and grew up in Long Island, New York.

Jamie was raised by his mom’s adoptive parents soon after his birth on December 13, 1967.

Kelly was only three years old when her father died in a drowning accident. Later, her mother, Linda, married Peter Palzis, who lovingly adopted Kelly as his own.

JC was adopted at age five by Karen and Roy Chasez. They had previously been foster parents to JC’s mother.

Kristin’s parents separated when she was very young. Later, her mother married Keith Davis, and he officially adopted Kristin as his own.

Trace Cyrus was adopted by his step-dad Billy Ray Cyrus.

Keyshia was adopted at two years old by Leon and Yvonne Cole, who were close friends of her birth mother, Francine Lons.

Frances did a lot of traveling growing up. This was because her adoptive father was a pastor who moved from church to church, helping them rebuild and strengthen their communities.

Sarah was adopted at a young age and didn’t find out she was adopted until she was 9.

Faith was adopted as a baby by Ted and Edna Perry, who also raised two sons of their own.

Snooki was adopted when she was only six months old and raised in New Jersey.

Although it’s widely thought that Nicole Richie is Lionel Richie’s biological daughter, he actually adopted her. Nicole’s birth parents were friends of Lionel and his wife, Brenda Harvey. She began living with them at age three, and the adoption was finalized when she was nine.

Kristin was born on July 24, 1968, and adopted five days later. She was raised in Oklahoma.

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2026-02-28 02:17