Sophia Maddox discovers Charles Manson as grandfather and chronicles search in new Hulu film

In 2022, 22-year-old actress and filmmaker Sophia Maddox was told by her father, Daniel Arguelles, that DNA results linked him to Charles Manson, making Manson her grandfather. The revelation, which Maddox described as devastating, led her to create the Hulu documentary "My Grandfather Charles Manson" to investigate the hidden family connection. The series features interviews with individuals who knew Manson, including former followers, and delves into his abusive childhood and the violent crimes for which he was convicted.

Maddox emphasizes that the film is not an attempt to excuse Manson's actions but to understand the forces that shaped him. Both Maddox and her father describe themselves as ordinary, working-class artists with no criminal background. The documentary also touches on Maddox's decision to adopt the surname Maddox, which she says means "goodness."