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Sean Hayes discovers family's criminal past on 'Who Do You Think You Are?'

The TLC genealogy series airs new episodes Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.

By Annie Martin
Sean Hayes discovered secrets about his family's criminal past on 'Who Do You Think You Are?' File photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
1 of 5 | Sean Hayes discovered secrets about his family's criminal past on 'Who Do You Think You Are?' File photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

LOS ANGELES, March 30 (UPI) -- Sean Hayes discovered secrets about his family's dark past on Sunday's episode of Who Do You Think You Are?.

The 44-year-old actor is estranged from father Ronald Hayes, but decided to research his paternal ancestors for the TLC genealogy series. Hayes sought to better understand his dad, who was placed in an orphanage after his own father died on skid row.

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Hayes was able to trace his family back to Ballylongford, Ireland due to great-great-grandfather Patrick Hayes, Sr.'s extensive criminal record. The actor learned his relative was sentenced to hard labor for a number of crimes, including assault.

Who Do You Think You Are? aired for three seasons on NBC, and premiered a third season on TLC this month. Julie Chen, Josh Groban and Angie Harmon were previously featured, and Tony Goldwyn, America Ferrera, Bill Paxton and Melissa Etheridge are yet to come.

Hayes is best known for portraying Jack McFarland on NBC sitcom Will & Grace. The actor went on to play Sean Harrison on Sean Saves the World and Kip Finkle on The Millers, and currently executive produces celebrity game show Hollywood Game Night.

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