Billy Corgan, the celebrated frontman of the Smashing Pumpkins, has raised eyebrows with his recent claim about comedian Bill Burr potentially being his half-brother. During a candid appearance on the Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast aired on November 26, 2024, Corgan shared the story he had kept under wraps for years, only divulging it to close friends.
The spark for Corgan's suspicions reportedly emerged about ten years ago when one of his brothers was celebrating his birthday. His stepmother, present at the festivity, posed the intriguing question, "Do you know who Bill Burr is?" At the time, Corgan had no clue about the comedian, nor was he aware of the familial connection she had hinted at.
"I didn’t know he was a comedian or anything. He could have been the guy down the street," Corgan recalled, adding he initially didn’t grasp why his stepmother had brought up Burr's name. Curiosity piqued, Corgan soon analyzed Burr's image and instantly recognized familial qualities. "I kind of noticed right away, ‘Gee, he kind of looks like my father,’" he said. "Bill Burr looks more like my father than Bill Burr looks like me or I look like Bill Burr."
Corgan’s stepmother suggested the possibility of Bill Burr being one of Corgan's father's illegitimate children. She quipped, "I think it might be one of your father’s illegitimate children. Bill Burr might be one of the children your father sired during his days as a traveling musician." Corgan, now 57, attested to the authenticity of this story, proclaiming, "This is all totally true. I swear to God." He even recounted how his father had once casually mentioned to him on his 18th birthday about having another son named Bill, born around the same time as Corgan.
Skeptical yet fascinated, Corgan later revealed, "It’s my belief at this point, because I’ve sat on the story for 10 years, I don’t think Bill Burr and I are related. I think it’s just one of those things. There are just people who look alike." Regardless, the concept of sharing blood with the famous comedian undoubtedly intrigued him.
Fast forward to early February 2025, during another visit to Mandel's podcast, the stars aligned for Corgan and Burr to cross paths for the first time. The producers thought it would be entertaining to facilitate this unexpected family meeting, resulting in what Corgan described as a "surreal" experience. "It was pretty surreal. First of all, I’d never met Bill Burr. Secondly, he really does look like my father, like in person," Corgan noted, expressing astonishment at Burr's physical resemblance to his dad.
The meeting was undeniably awkward. Burr, known for his quick wit and incisive humor, later expressed his irritation with Mandel’s ploy, calling him an "a**hole" for orchestratively bringing them together. Although the interaction left Burr feeling frustrated, Corgan was more gracious, recognizing the peculiar nature of their encounter.
Corgan reflected on the chaos of meeting someone he may be related to, recounting, "I’d seen the pictures. Never seen him in person. So it’s the surreal thing of shaking somebody’s hand who you have this kind of physical affinity for. And there are all these questions..." This palpable sense of uncertainty surrounding their kinship added another layer to the already complex exchange. Corgan described how, during the moment, everything felt bigger than the individuals involved, hinting at the multitude of emotions stirred up by the situation.
Despite the palpable awkwardness and Burr's annoyance with the scenario, Corgan emphasized Burr's kindness throughout their interaction. "He basically left the door open to meet again and let it be known I was always welcome in his world." Yet, both men seemed acutely aware of the strangeness of the circumstances they were thrown together under.
Burr revealed shortly after the encounter, his frustration with Howie Mandel's motives, stating, "Howie did what he did because he is a Hollywood whore and doesn’t care what happens…" He expressed dissatisfaction with how the meeting went down, questioning the wisdom behind such exposés of familial ties, especially when relationships are based on speculation.
At the end of it all, questions remain about the authenticity of Corgan and Burr’s potential connection. With Corgan openly contemplating the reality of their kinship but also harboring doubt, the narrative of two celebrities possibly intertwined by blood continues to remain elusive. Whether they meet again or explore their connection on their own terms, the world watches with curiosity, eager for more from the unusual tale involving Billy Corgan and Bill Burr.