Halle Berry is related to Sarah Palin

Halle Berry was left stunned after a fan pointed out the actress is a distant relative of former U.S. Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

The Oscar winner was being interviewed on U.S. news show Extra with Tom Hanks, her co-star in new film Cloud Atlas, when she revealed her genealogy secret.

Berry asked the interviewer if he wanted to know who she was related to, before pulling a face and saying, "Sarah Palin!"

She adds, "In some twisted way (we are related)... somebody sent me this information that she was my distant (relative)."

A shocked Hanks then pointed out the odd connection is linked to their new movie, which is about how people's lives impact on each other in the present and future.

He added, "This is the Cloud Atlas continuum, without a doubt. I'm telling you the connections that go through! It doesn't matter who, what race, where, what time."