Billy Corgan recently sparked intrigue when he suggested during Howie Mandel's podcast, Howie Mandel Does Stuff, the possibility of comedian Bill Burr being his half-brother. This unexpected claim began to gain traction after Corgan’s initial comments on the podcast back in November, where he recounted an astonishing story involving family speculation.
During his November appearance, Corgan recalled how, around ten years ago, his stepmother had brought up the subject of Burr, whose comedic style has earned him widespread acclaim. It all started at one of Corgan’s brother's birthday parties. He narrated, “Most of my friends don’t even know this story. About 10 years ago, one of my brothers was having a birthday party, and my stepmother was there. She said to me, ‘Do you know who Bill Burr is?’ At the time, I had never heard of Bill Burr; I didn’t know who he was. I didn’t know he was a comedian or anything.”
That simple question set off quite the family mystery, with Corgan’s stepmother implying Burr could be one of his father’s “illegitimate children” from his days as a traveling musician. Billy continued, “She goes, ‘I think it might be one of your father's illegitimate children. Bill Burr might be one of the children your father sired.’ This is a true story. I’m not making this up; there is no joke in this.”
Fast forward to January, tensions were high as the two were finally brought together on Mandel's show. Burr, caught off guard by the surprise, was met with Corgan walking onto the set. Their interaction was filled with humor, starting with Burr’s immediate greeting, “What’s up,” and quipping to Mandel, “You’re an asshole,” alluding to the unexpected and somewhat awkward family reunion.
The two quickly got lost in jesting about their possible familial ties, much to the delight of listeners. An intriguing element of their conversation revolved around their physical resemblance. Corgan noted, “Gee, he kind of looks like my father,” acknowledging the similarity. Burr also weighed in humorously, positing, “Did you ever think the fact I never told this story, maybe you shouldn’t?”
Corgan, always quick with a retort, jokingly remarked, “The fact he said he can’t sing, I think disproves we’re related, 'cause I’m not funny.” The interplay between the two excited fans of both Corgan’s music and Burr’s comedic performances, with Mandel acting as the humorous facilitator. At one point, Mandel cheekily suggested Burr should join the Smashing Pumpkins as their drummer, to which Burr responded, “What was supposed to happen? Are we gonna go play catch? We’re both in our fifties!”
Despite the absurdity of the suggestion, the banter reflected their easy camaraderie fueled by shared laughter. Their exchanges were emblematic of the entertaining nature of the show, showcasing how two seemingly unrelated stars could find common ground through humor and speculation.
The encounter concluded without any firm conclusions on their relationship status, but it highlights the captivating saga rooted within Corgan's family history and Burr's background. Corgan continues to thrive musically as the frontman of the Smashing Pumpkins, whose storied career includes hits like “1979” and “Bullet with Butterfly Wings.” These tracks solidified the band's legacy during the 90s, culminating with the acclaimed double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, which achieved diamond status.
On the other hand, Burr's career as a comedian has seen him release multiple acclaimed stand-up specials, combining storytelling with wit and self-deprecatory humor. His continued success is marked by the anticipation of future works, including his upcoming comedy special, Drop Dead Years, set to release on March 14, 2025, on Hulu.
This unexpected family mystery involving Billy Corgan and Bill Burr has captivated fans and followers alike. While the rumors surrounding their potential blood relation might appear far-fetched, it has undeniably generated buzz and excitement, showcasing the unique narrative threads connecting two influential figures from different entertainment realms. Whether they truly are half-brothers remains uncertain, but the humor and charm of their relationship certainly remain firmly established after their meeting and the curious lineage speculated upon during Mandel's show.