The triplets who didn't know each other from birth were Edward Galland, David Kellman, and Robert Shafran. They are identical triplet brothers who were adopted as infants by separate families, leading them to grow up unaware of each other's existence.
The Unforeseen Reunion
Their story gained significant public attention due to their accidental reunion as young adults. Robert Shafran arrived at Sullivan County Community College in 1980 and was repeatedly mistaken for another student, Edward Galland. This uncanny resemblance prompted friends to investigate, leading to the discovery that they were identical twins separated at birth. News of their reunion then reached a third individual, David Kellman, who also bore an identical resemblance and was the third triplet.
Key Individuals
This extraordinary case became the subject of the 2018 documentary film, Three Identical Strangers, which explores their lives, reunion, and the ethical questions surrounding the circumstances of their adoption and separation.
| Triplet's Name | Key Aspect |
|---|---|
| Edward Galland | One of the identical triplets, initially discovered by Robert Shafran's college friends. |
| David Kellman | The third identical triplet, whose existence was revealed after the reunion of Edward and Robert. |
| Robert Shafran | The triplet whose arrival at college led to the accidental discovery of his identical brother, Edward. |
Their remarkable story highlights complex themes of identity, family, and the enduring debate between nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) in human development.
