Are Neil Degrasse Tyson And Mike Tyson Related

So, picture this: I’m at a friend’s barbecue, right? Someone’s grilling burgers, the music’s decent, and I overhear a guy say, “I bet Neil deGrasse Tyson could take Mike Tyson in a fight—he’s got that astrophysics brain, you know?”

I nearly choked on my soda. The question that followed, asked with total sincerity, was: “Wait, are they actually related?”

It’s a moment of pure, beautiful confusion that happens more often than you’d think. Let’s clear this up once and for all, shall we?

The Short Answer: Nope, Not Even a Little Bit

Look, I get why people wonder. They share the same last name, they’re both famous, and they both have a commanding presence.

But Neil deGrasse Tyson and Mike Tyson are not related by blood, marriage, or cosmic coincidence. Zero family connection.

One studies the universe, the other used to study how to rearrange your face. That’s the only link—a shared surname that’s as common as “Smith” in some circles.

A Quick Look at Neil

Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist, science communicator, and director of the Hayden Planetarium. He’s the guy who makes black holes and dark matter sound like the coolest party topics.

He’s never thrown a punch on live TV (unless you count his verbal takedowns of flat-Earthers). His parents were sociologist Cyril deGrasse Tyson and gerontologist Sunchita Feliciano Tyson.

No boxing gloves in that family tree, I promise you. Unless we’re talking about the kind used in a laboratory for particle collisions.

And Now, the Baddest Man on the Planet

Mike Tyson, on the other hand, is the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. He bit Evander Holyfield’s ear off—a feat Neil would describe as “a non-elastic collision of two biological objects.”

Mike Tysons Brother Neil Degrasse Tyson - Mike Tysons Mysteries - YouTube

Mike’s upbringing was tough in Brownsville, Brooklyn. His parents were Lorna Smith and Jimmy Kirkpatrick. No astrophysicists in that lineage.

If Neil and Mike were related, I’m pretty sure Neil’s lectures would end with, “And that’s how a supernova works—now get in the ring.”

Why Do People Keep Asking This?

It’s the power of a shared name in a culture obsessed with branding. Both Tysons are iconic, almost mythical figures.

Neil is the “rockstar of science,” and Mike is the “rockstar of violence,” so our brains want to connect them. Plus, there’s that old rumor from the early internet days that they were cousins—it spread like a grammar error on Twitter.

I blame the fact that we humans love a good narrative. A family feud between a boxing legend and a cosmic explorer? That’s a Netflix series I’d binge.

The Actual Connection? Zero. But Here’s the Fun Part.

If they were related, it would be a mind-bending supervillain origin story. Imagine family reunions: “Uncle Mike, please don’t knockout Aunt Carol over the potato salad.”

“Nephew Neil, stop explaining gravitational waves at the dinner table.”

Are Mike Tyson And Neil Degrasse Tyson Brothers? Family Relationship

Alas, reality is less dramatic. The only overlap is that Mike Tyson once said in an interview he’d like to meet Neil to “talk about the stars.”

That’s it. That’s the whole crossover. No DNA test needed, folks.

What About Other Famous Tysons?

There’s also Cicely Tyson, the legendary actress (no relation to either). And a bunch of Tysons in politics and sports.

The surname “Tyson” comes from old English, meaning “firebrand” or “son of Tye.” It’s common, like “Johnson” or “Williams.” So seeing three famous Tysons is less about genetics and more about probability.

Unless you believe in astrological fate—which Neil would politely call “confirmation bias.” Mike would just call it “if it sells tickets, I’m in.”

Final Verdict: They Share a Name, Not a Bloodline

So next time someone at a party asks if Neil and Mike are related, do two things: First, laugh gently. Second, say: “Nope, but they do have one thing in common—they both left an impact on the world, just in very different ways.”

Neil left an impact through ideas. Mike left an impact through fists.

Now go enjoy your burger. And maybe follow Neil on Instagram—he’s more likely to post a cool nebula than a knockout video.