Pals Matt Damon, Ben Affleck are also distant cousins

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have more in common than their childhood friendship, the Hollywood stars are also reportedly distant cousins.

The New England Genealogical Society have found evidence that the actors are tenth cousins, once removed.

Both were said to have descended from bricklayer William Knowlton Jr, who shifted from England to the US in the 1630s, reports China Daily.

The society researchers said Affleck could boast of other famous relatives including 16 American presidents, Barack Obama no exception, and the late Princess Diana.