Does Billy Corgan’s family tree branch to Bill Burr?

Billy Corgan, the enigmatic frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins, recently shared a peculiar and humorous story about a possible connection to comedian Bill Burr. During a guest appearance on the Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast on November 27, 2024, the conversation veered into unexpected territory when the production team mistakenly displayed an image of Burr behind Corgan instead of the musician himself. This prompted Corgan to recount a family anecdote he had kept under wraps for years.

No, this isn't about the time Corgan said his father was "living in some sort of drug den underneath the train tracks in Chicago," but got put his life together with his wife's aunt's lottery winnings.

About a decade ago, Corgan says his stepmother speculated that Burr might be one of his father’s illegitimate children. She brought it up at a family gathering, pointing out Burr’s uncanny resemblance to Corgan’s late father, William Corgan Sr., a jazz guitarist who led a colorful life while touring the country. Corgan revealed that his father had told him on his 18th birthday that he likely had a half-brother named Bill born around the same time as him.

The resemblance between Corgan and Burr, along with this backstory, has fueled speculation and amusement online, while no doubt conveniently boosting the profile of the Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast. However, Corgan was quick to clarify that he isn’t questioning Burr’s parentage or making definitive claims.

Why the Bill Burr meets Billy Corgan story is a bit funny

This lighthearted tale gained extra humor due to Burr’s well-known, irreverent commentary on 1990s music, including grunge acts like Smashing Pumpkins, which he has joked about in the past. Basically, Bill Burr is pretty quick to say (in so many words) "Yeah, that song sucks," which is partly why Corgan backed off from saying it as a definite fact (there could also be legal ramifications, if Burr ever feels litigious).

The Smashing Pumpkins, led by Corgan, are an iconic alternative rock band that gained massive fame in the 1990s with albums like Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Known for their layered sound and introspective lyrics, they remain a key influence in the genre, with a number of songs at least approaching the influence of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Corgan, now 57, continues to tour with the band, recently performing as part of their "World Is A Vampire" tour.

This mix of family mystery, celebrity resemblance, and comedic happenstance has made the story a hit with fans of both Corgan and Burr. However, no evidence beyond the anecdote has been presented, leaving the story a quirky, amusing "what if?" moment.

Watch the key moment here: