Brad Pitt is related to US presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

The 'Fight Club' actor - whose attempt to help Senator Obama's election
campaign was reportedly refused by the Democrat - is a distant cousin of
Obama, claim researchers at the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

According to the society, Pitt and Obama are actually ninth cousins, linked
by a man called Edwin Hickman who died in 1769 in Virginia.

It has also been revealed Pitt's long-term partner Angelina Jolie is related
to Obama's rival for the Democratic candidacy Hillary Clinton.

Jolie - who has three adopted children and a biological daughter with Pitt -
is ninth cousins with Senator Clinton, through Jean Cusson, who died in
Quebec, Canada, in 1718.

Genealogist Christopher Child said: "It shows that lots of different people
can be related, people you wouldn't necessarily expect."

The study found Obama is also related to British World War II Prime Minister
Winston Churchill and US Vice President Dick Cheney, while Clinton has links
to Madonna, Celine Dion and Alanis Morissette.

The New England Historic Genealogical Society, which was founded in 1845, is
the largest non-profit genealogical organisation in the US.

(Photoshop magic by prettyontheoutside.com)