Noah Wyle learns about his lineage this Sunday on TLC’s “Who Do You Think You Are?” Unfortunately, not all branches in the “E.R.” alum’s family tree are covered with flowers and singing birds.
In the above clip, which is exclusive to TheWrap, Wyle is shocked to learn that his great-great-great-grandfather John Henry Mills took his own life by shooting himself through the head — or as the newspaper clipping put it, “Blew His Brains Out.”
The actor’s once-wealthy ancestor had lost all of his money through some bad business beats — all he had left was a life insurance policy. Mills was approaching a deadline for an unattainable premium payment on his life insurance plan, but if he missed a payment on that policy, all of his investments into it would disappear, leaving nothing but debts to his loved ones. Prior to the premium’s due date, Mills killed himself — an effort to leave some kind of inheritance for his wife and children.
Watch the video at the top of this post.
“Who Do You Think You Are?” airs Sunday at 10/9c on TLC.