Is Neil Degrasse Tyson Related To Mike Tyson

Let’s settle this once and for all. Is Neil deGrasse Tyson related to Mike Tyson? You’ve probably wondered while watching one explain black holes and the other knock out ears. The short answer? No. They are not blood relatives. But the story is way more fun than a simple “no.”

The Great Tyson Confusion

It’s an easy mistake to make. Both are famous. Both have the same last name. One is a cosmic genius, the other a boxing legend. Your brain wants to connect them.

But here’s the kicker: Neil is a scientist. Mike is a fighter. That’s like asking if Einstein was related to Rambo. Still, the internet loves this rumor.

I blame pop culture. Neil once joked, “I get asked this more than I get asked about dark matter.” That’s funny—and a little sad for science.

Neil deGrasse Tyson: The Star Stuff Guy

Neil is an astrophysicist. He runs the Hayden Planetarium in New York. He made “cosmic perspective” a household phrase. His voice is smooth, like a NPR bedtime story.

He’s related to no one famous—except maybe Carl Sagan, spiritually. His parents were sociologists. No punchlines, just equations. His biggest fight? Debating flat-Earthers on Twitter.

Fun fact: Neil has a cameo in Batman v Superman. He played himself. No ear-biting required.

Mike Tyson: The Baddest Man on the Planet

Mike is a former heavyweight champion. He bit Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997. He also has a pigeon-racing hobby. Yes, pigeons. This man is pure chaos.

His life is a movie. He went from prison to the ring to a one-man Broadway show. He now sells cannabis gummies called “Mike Bites.” They’re shaped like ears. He has a magnificent sense of humor about it.

Neil DeGrasse Tyson Wallpapers - Wallpaper Cave

Is Mike related to any scientists? Nope. His family tree is full of fighters, hustlers, and at least one tattoo artist. No astronomers. Unless you count his forehead tattoo—it looks like a star map.

Why Do People Think They’re Related?

Blame the name. “Tyson” sounds rare and powerful. It feels like a royal surname, like “Rothschild” or “Kardashian.” But it’s actually common in African American communities. Just a coincidence.

Also, Neil once hosted a show called Cosmos. Mike once starred in a movie called The Hangover. Both involve trippy moments. That’s where the connection ends.

There’s a viral tweet from 2018: “Imagine Mike Tyson teaching Neil deGrasse Tyson how to box.” It got 100k likes. The internet craves this parody.

The One Real Connection

Okay, there’s one tiny link. In 2015, Neil mentioned Mike in an interview. He said, “I’m often introduced as ‘the Tyson who doesn’t bite.’” Mike later responded on Twitter: “I’m the Tyson who bites stars.” Wait—that was Neil’s joke.

No, Mike never actually replied. But if he did, it would be the greatest crossover event in history. Better than Avengers: Endgame.

Neil Degrasse Tyson

Imagine Mike Tyson explaining the Big Bang. “You see, the universe… it’s like a left hook. BOOM.” I’d pay to watch that.

What If They Were Family?

Picture a Thanksgiving dinner. Neil is dissecting the turkey’s atomic structure. Mike is threatening to eat the turkey raw. Auntie is screaming. It’s beautiful chaos.

Would they share DNA? Nope. But they share vibes. Both are New Yorkers. Both are cultural icons. Both have a lisp that’s instantly recognizable. Neil’s is from childhood speech therapy. Mike’s is from—well, a life of getting punched.

One more thing: both have pigeon stories. Neil once used pigeons to explain quantum entanglement. Mike once said, “Pigeons are the toughest birds.” Coincidence? Probably. But it’s fun to pretend.

The Final Verdict

Are Neil and Mike related? No. Is it fun to ask? Yes. It’s a cosmic joke. Two men with the same name, different universes. One explores the stars. The other knocked them out of boxers.

Next time you hear someone ask, smile. Tell them, “They’re only related by awesomeness.” Then quote Neil: “We are all made of star stuff.” Then quote Mike: “I’m the baddest star stuff on earth.”

Let’s end with a challenge. Go to a party. Ask this question. Watch the room explode. Then pull up this article. You’re now the expert on the world’s greatest non-relationship. You’re welcome. Boom.