Actor Kurt Russell spent part of his Fourth of July visiting the Massachusetts house where his eighth great-grandfather was butchered by British soldiers in a bloody battle that kicked off the Revolutionary War in 1775.

Russell, 74, said he wasn’t aware until recently of his family’s ties to the American Revolution, despite the dramatic nature of his ancestor’s death, which happened outside his home in one of the bloodiest battles on the first day of the American Revolution, April 19, 1775.

“I’m stunned by it,” Russell said Friday when asked whether he was surprised that such a dramatic event in his family’s history was not passed down to him, as he toured the historic Jason Russell House in Arlington. “I don’t know why.”

The actor’s ancestor Jason Russell was shot twice and bayoneted multiple times by British soldiers outside his home as they retreated from the battles of Lexington and Concord, where the first shots of the war took place.

“He’s 59 years old, had a bad leg, but he saw himself as still being eligible and someone who should fight if they had to,” Russell said. “He chose to go back … and check to make sure everything was OK, knowing he was coming back to this.”

Douglas says he’s all but retired from acting

Michael Douglas is embracing a break from the spotlight.

During a news conference at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the 80-year-old Oscar winner explained that he has “purposely” stepped back from acting in recent years, with no current plans to return, according to USA Today.

“I realized I had to stop,” he said. “I’d been working pretty hard for almost 60 years, and I didn’t want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set.” The “Wall Street” and “Basic Instinct” star said he’s happy with the time off, adding that while he’s not officially retired, it would take something “special” to bring him back, the report said.

“Otherwise, I’m quite happy. I just like to watch my wife work,” he added, referring to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron steps down after 27 years

Drummer Matt Cameron announced on social media Monday he was leaving Pearl Jam after 27 years with the rock band.

“After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam,” he said in a statement posted on the band’s Instagram. “Much love and respect to Jeff (Ament), Ed (Eddie Vedder), Mike (McCready) and Stone (Gossard) for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.”

No reason for Cameron’s departure was given.

— Wire reports