Ethnicity: African-American, smaller amounts of English/Scottish
Gayle King is an American television television personality, journalist, and author. She is an editor-at-large for O, The Oprah Magazine. She is a close friend of Oprah Winfrey.
Gayle is the daughter of Peggy and Scott King. She has two children with her former husband, attorney and assistant attorney general William G. Bumpus.
Standing at 5’10 tall, Gayle has stated that she was made fun of as a child for her height, and that she would prefer to date men at least 6’4 tall.
A DNA test whose results were displayed on the show Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (2021) stated that Gayle’s genetic ancestry is:
*66.3% Sub Saharan African
*32.2% European
Gayle’s paternal grandfather was The Rev. Beauregard King, known as “Fat Daddy.” The Rev. Beauregard was born in Alabama.
Gayle’s maternal grandmother was named Emma Louise Barnes/Brown (the daughter of a man surnamed Copes, and of Ella Barnes). Emma was born in South Carolina, to a white father and a black mother. Gayle’s great-grandfather was the son of Robert Elliot Copes and Rose Rowan “Rosa” Ellis.
Ethnicity:
*father – Native Hawaiian, small amount of English
*mother – German, possibly other
Jason Momoa is an American actor, model, director, writer, and producer. He plays Aquaman in the DC Cinematic Universe.
Jason was born in Honolulu, the son of Coni, a photographer, and Joseph Momoa, a painter. Jason’s father is from a Native Hawaiian family, with a small amount of English ancestry, from Massachusetts. Jason’s mother is of mostly German descent, and is from Norwalk, Iowa, where Jason was raised. Jason’s mother is also said to have Irish and Native American ancestry. Her own maternal grandfather was adopted, and it is not clear what his biological ancestry was.
Jason is married to actress Lisa Bonet, with whom he has two children. His stepdaughter is actress Zoë Kravitz.
Jason’s paternal grandfather was Louis Kuulei Momoa, Jr. (the son of Louis Kuulei Momoa and Jennie/Jenny Kini Malaya). Jason’s grandfather Louis was born in Hawaii. Jason’s great-grandfather Louis was the son of Leonard Puakanui Momoa and Julia Kuuianao Kaluna. Jennie was the daughter of John Kane “Johnny” Malaya/Malaea/Malia and Sarah/Syria Thomas Williams.
Jason’s paternal grandmother was Phyllis Rose Leilani Kaeo (the daughter Joseph Namakaha Kaeo, Jr. and Edith Kahili Keaulana). Phyllis was born in Hawaii. Joseph was the son of David Kawaihalau Namakeha Kaeo and Lucinda Kinia Wright, whose grandfather was from Massachusetts.
Jason’s maternal grandfather is Delaine William Lemke (the son of Erich Albert Nicholas Lemke and Edna Anna Vohs). Delaine was born in Iowa. Erich was born in Iowa, to German parents, Peter Lemke and Wilhelmina Feige. Edna was also born in Iowa, also to German parents, from Holstein, Wilhelm F. Vohs and Dorothy “Dora” Marie Grutmacher Schroeder.
Jason’s maternal grandmother is Mabel L. Hoult (the daughter of Louis Smith Hoult and Edith Mae Wenzel). Mabel was born in Iowa. Louis was adopted by George C. Hoult and Fannie Doyle, who was born in Ireland; Louis was the biological son of George Sinkey. Edith was the daughter of John Adam Wenzel, who was born in Illinois, to German parents, and of Emma Susan Ritzhaupt, who was born in Iowa, to German parents, Balthasar/Balzar/Baltzer Ritzhaupt and Wilhelmina “Minnie” Bettleman.
I grew up in Maine in the woods without electricity… We had wood stoves and fireplaces and it throws people off. But my parents go to their friends house to watch [her show] each week… my dad is kind of a hippie and my mom grew up in Costa Rica.
She also told Latina.com, “I’m Latina…There’s not much more to it,” and that she is the daughter of a white father and Costa Rican mother.
07/20/2014 – Grimes – 2014 Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago – Day 3 – Union Park – Chicago, IL, USA – Keywords: Electronic experimental synthpop, witch house, Claire Elise Boucher, Orientation: Portrait Face Count: 1 – False – Photo Credit: Daniel Locke / PR Photos
Birth Name: Claire Elise Boucher
Place of Birth: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Date of Birth: March 17, 1988
Ethnicity: French-Canadian, German, English, one eighth Italian, 1/16th Swedish, distant Breton, Belgian [Walloon], Métis, Cornish, Irish, and Welsh
Grimes is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, and visual artist. She is the daughter of former Crown prosecutor and arts advocate Sandra “Sandy” Garossino and banker Maurice Boucher. Her step-brother is rapper Jay Worthy. Grimes has one child with her partner, South African-Canadian-American inventor and businessperson Elon Musk.
Grimes’ father is of approximately half French-Canadian and half ethnic German descent, along with distant Breton, Belgian [Walloon], and Métis. Grimes’ mother’s ancestry is English, one quarter Italian, one eighth Swedish, and distant Cornish, German, Irish, Breton, and Welsh.
Grimes is also often said to have Russian and/or Ukrainian ancestry. This likely refers to her paternal grandmother, who is from an ethnic German family from Eastern Europe.
Grimes’ patrilineal ancestry can be traced to her tenth great-grandfather, Marin Boucher (c. 1587, Mortagne-au-Perche, Orne, France – March 25, 1671, Château-Richer, Québec).
Grimes’ paternal grandfather is Joseph Roland Maurice Boucher (the son of Wilfrid Boucher and Marie Anne Marie Louise Paquin). Roland was born in Notre-Dame-du-Nord, Québec. He is French-Canadian, and also has Breton, and distant Belgian [Walloon] and Métis, ancestry. Some of his ancestors lived in Acadia. Wilfrid was the son of Édouard Boucher and Victoria Lefebvre. Louise was the daughter of Louis Paquin and Orosia Goyette. Orosia’s paternal great-great-grandfather, Pierre Goyette dit Sancoucy, was a Métis, whose mother, Marie Madeleine Panis dite Clignancourt, was a Panis or slave of First Nations descent.
Grimes’ paternal grandmother is Bertha Lauretta Borth (the daughter of Wilhelm “William” Borth and Louise Schneider). Bertha’s parents were from ethnic German families. Wilhelm was born in Tariverde, Cogealac, Constanța, Romania, the son of Daniel Borth and Augustina Rosenberg. Louise was born in Akkerman (now Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi), Odessa Oblast, Ukraine, the daughter of Martin Schneider and Rosena Gutsche.
Grimes’ maternal grandfather is Frederick Grant Garossino (the son of Alfred Victor “Fred” Garossino and Mildred Christine Wickstrand). Grant was born in Calgary, Alberta. Alfred was born in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France, the son of Italian parents, Vittorio Lorenzo (later Victor Lawrence) Garossino, of Turin, and of Angelina (or Angèle in French) Bocco, of Villar Perosa, Turin. Mildred was born in Alexandria, Minnesota, U.S., the daughter of John Ephraim Wickstrand, whose parents were Swedish; and of Anna Myrtle Tillotson, who was of English, Cornish, German, Irish, as well as distant Breton and Welsh, descent.
Grimes’ maternal grandmother is Mary Evelyn Steward (the daughter of Charles Arthur Cholmondeley Steward and Marianne Hawthorne Whaley). Mary was born in British Columbia, to English parents, from Paddington, London and Liverpool, Lancashire (now Merseyside), respectively. Charles was the son of Frederick William Steward and Georgiana Rudston-Read. Marianne was the daughter of John Whaley and Eleanor Hawthorne.
Grimes is a direct descendant of Zacharie Cloutier (c. 1590-1677), a prominent early Québec settler.
Justin Bieber is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor. He is the son of Jeremy Bieber and Pattie Mallette. A picture of Justin with his parents can be seen here. Justin was raised in Stratford, Ontario. He is married to American model Hailey Baldwin.
On his father’s side, Justin has German, Irish, English, and Scottish ancestry. Justin’s mother’s family is of French-Canadian, some Irish and English, and remote Swiss-French and Scottish, ancestry.
Justin has stated that he has some Native Canadian (First Nations) ancestry. No recent First Nations ancestry appears on any publicly available family trees of Justin Bieber. He does have remote (less than 1/1024) First Nations ancestry on his mother’s side.
Justin is able to understand some French but can not speak the language fluently. He was raised by his single mother, and is able to play the piano, drums, guitar, and trumpet. He was discovered on YouTube by Scooter Braun, who later became his manager.
Justin’s patrilineal line traces to Philippe Bieber, an ethnic German who was born, c. 1788, in Zilling, Moselle, Lorraine, then in France.
Justin’s paternal grandfather is George Bieber (the son of Hiram Albert Bieber and Ellen Anne Mary Loretta Egan). Justin’s great-grandfather Hiram was born in Dashwood, Ontario, of German descent. Hiram’s parents were William Albert Bieber (the son of Philip/Philippe Bieber and Caroline “Lena” Bier) and Margaretta “Maggie” Pfaff (the daughter of Henry Pfaff and Elizabeth Keller).
Justin’s great-grandmother Ellen was born in Ontario, of Irish descent. Ellen’s parents were John Michael Egan (the son of Michael Egan and Helen Lang) and Mary Ann Whalen (the daughter of James Whalen and Ann Birch).
Justin’s paternal grandmother is Kathleen “Kathy” Arnold (the daughter of Jack Arnold and Florence Alice Kennedy). Justin’s great-grandfather Jack was born in Poole, Dorset, England, the son of George Arnold and Kate Elizabeth Rattew. Justin’s great-grandmother Florence was the daughter of David Alexander Kennedy, who was of Scottish origin, and of Muriel Florence Napper, who was of English descent.
Justin’s maternal grandfather is Michael Mallette (the son of Joseph Alexandre “Alex” Mallette/Mallet and Teresa/Theresa/Therese Hamblin/Hamelin). Alexandre was the son of Felix Alfred Telesphore Mallette/Mallet and Alida Lachance, who were French-Canadian. Teresa was born in Reading, Berkshire, England, to a mother whose maiden name was Walsh.
Justin’s maternal grandmother is Diane M. Henry (the daughter of Venant Eugène Henry and Estelle Germain). Justin’s grandmother Diane is from a French-Canadian family. Venant was the son of Joseph Daniel Henry and Marguerite Léocadie/Louse Babin. Estelle was the daughter of Joseph-Roland Garneau Germain and Marie-Alphonsine-Germaine Breton.
Justin’s matrilineal ancestry traces to Marie Meilleur, who was born, c. 1599, in Sainte-Madeleine-de-la-Ventrouze, Perche, France.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Bieber in 2011, photo by Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com
Place of Birth: Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date of Birth: August 22, 1975
Ethnicity:
*father – Italian
*mother – Brazilian [Portuguese, including Azorean, possibly other]
Rodrigo Santoro is a Brazilian actor. His father, Francesco Santoro, is Italian, and is an engineer from Paola, Province of Cosenza, Calabria, Italy. His mother, Maria José Junqueira dos Reis, who is Brazilian, has Portuguese ancestry, including some Azorean roots.
Rodrigo has a daughter with his partner, television host, actress, and singer Mel Fronckowiak.
Rodrigo’s paternal grandfather was named Salvatore “Salvador” Santoro. Salvatore was born in Paola, Province of Cosenza, Calabria, Italy.
Rodrigo’s paternal grandmother is Eva Melucci (the daughter of Paolo Melucci and Isabella Santoro). Eva was born in Paola.
Rodrigo’s maternal grandfather was Francisco Prudente Junqueira Reis (the son of Gabriel Junqueira Reis and Maria Henriqueta Junqueira). Gabriel was the son of Prudente dos Reis Meirelles and Francisca Ribeiro de Carvalho Junqueira, and had ancestors in Felgueiras, Porto; Horta, Faial Island, Azores; Trancoso, Guarda; Vila do Conde, Porto; and Ovar, Aveiro, all in Portugal. Rodrigo’s great-grandmother Maria Henriqueta was the daughter of Francisco Olyntho Fortes Junqueira and Adelina Clara Diniz.
Rodrigo’s maternal grandmother was Maria Antonietta Ribeiro Bueno (the daughter of José Prado da Silva Bueno and Maria José Ribeiro).
Sources: Genealogy of Rodrigo Santoro (focusing on his mother’s side) – http://geneall.net
02/16/2017 – Kate Upton – Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2017 Launch Event – Arrivals – Center415 Event Space, Fifth Avenue – New York City, NY, USA – Photo Credit: Lisa Holte / PRPhotos.com
Birth Name: Katherine Elizabeth Upton
Place of Birth: St. Joseph, Michigan, U.S.
Date of Birth: June 10, 1992
Ethnicity: English, small amount of Scottish, distant German and Dutch
Kate Upton is an American model and actress. She is the daughter of Shelley (Davis), a Texas state tennis champion, and Jeff Upton. Her uncle is Republican politician Fred Upton (Frederick Stephen Upton), who has been a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan, since January 3, 1987. Her great-uncle, Frederick Upton, co-founded appliance manufacturer and marketer Whirlpool Corporation. She grew up partly in Melbourne, Florida.
Kate is married to baseball player Justin Verlander, with whom she has a daughter.
Kate’s paternal grandfather is Stephen Edward Upton (the son of Frederick Stanley Upton and Margaret Mather Beckley). Stephen was born in Michigan. Kate’s great-grandfather Frederick was the son of Cassius Marcellus Upton and Carrie A. Blodgett. Margaret was the daughter of Edward Everett Beckley and Carrie Naomi Mather.
Kate’s paternal grandmother is Elizabeth Brooks Vial (the daughter of Charles Henry Vial and Margaret Hastings Tyler). Elizabeth was born in Illinois. Charles was the son of George McNaughten/McNaughton Vial and Emma Frost Goodrich. George’s mother, Margaret McNaughten, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. Kate’s great-grandmother Margaret was the daughter of William Chester Tyler, who was born in Natal, South Africa, to American missionary parents, and of Laura Leland Brooks, who was born in Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
Kate’s maternal grandfather is Roy Ennis Davis (the son of Roy Ennis Davis and Francis/Frances Pearl/Gayle Wood). Kate’s grandfather Roy was born in Texas. Kate’s great-grandfather Roy was the son of Roy Elonza Davis and Emma Sabina Dowdy. Francis was the daughter of Joseph Lesley Wood and Grace Frances Hooser.
Kate’s maternal grandmother is Leta Joan Moore (the daughter of Fritz Alex Moore and Minnie Elouise Garner). Leta was born in Texas. Fritz was the son of Fritz Alex Moore and Ida Catherine Gayler/Gaylor. Minnie was the daughter of James Joshua Garner and Lorene Ann/Anna Sharp.
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Death: January 23, 2021
Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
Larry King was an American television and radio host, actor, and comedian. He hosted the show Larry King Live from 1985 to 2010, and Larry King Now from 2012 to 2020.
Larry’s parents, Jennie (Gitlitz) and Aaron Zeiger, were Jewish emigrants. His father was born in Kolomyia, Ukraine. His mother was born in Vilna, Lithuania. He stated in an interview that he grew up in Brooklyn with a very culturally Jewish life. He also stated that growing up in a multicultural area in the ’30s and ’40s let him develop a liberal social consciousness. Therefore, he always resisted the inhumanity of prejudice.
Larry was married to singer, actress, and television host Shawn Southwick, until his death. He had a son with his former wife Annette Kaye; two children with his former wife Alene Akins; and two children with Shawn.
Larry’s paternal grandparents were named David Zeiger and Marie Krinwitz.
Larry’s maternal grandparents were named Abraham Gitlitz and Hanah Kosofny.
Faith Evans is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress.
Her father is white and her mother is African-American. Her father left the family before Faith was born. In her book autobiography, Keep the Faith: A Memoir, 2008, Faith talks about her father, Richard Swain, who was white; she states, “I’ve heard people mumble something about him being Italian but I don’t know for sure.”
Her mother, Helene Evans, is a professional singer.
Faith is married to DJ, record producer, and television personality Stevie J. She was previously married to rapper The Notorious B.I.G., until his death. She has a son, actor C. J. Wallace (Christopher Jordan Wallace), with The Notorious B.I.G.; two children with her former husband, record company executive Todd Russaw; and a daughter with music producer Kiyamma Griffin.
Zendaya, also credited as Zendaya Coleman, is an American actress, singer, dancer, and model. She plays MJ in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Her father, Kazembe Ajamu (born Samuel David Coleman), is African-American, from a family from Arkansas. Her mother, Claire Marie (Stoermer), who is white, has German, Irish, English, and Scottish ancestry. Her name, Zendaya, comes from the word Tendai/Tendayi, which means “to give thanks” in Shona, a Southwestern African language common in Zimbabwe and southern Zambia.
Zendaya’s maternal grandfather was Phillip Hilary Stoermer (the son of Fritz Hillary Stoermer and Marian Elizabeth Peir). Phillip was born in California. Fritz was the son of Henry Stoermer and Etta Tyler Fritz. Marian was the daughter of Alois Henry Peir and Kathyrn Gertrude Leahy/Leady.
Zendaya’s maternal grandmother was Daphne Carol Whitelaw (the daughter of Douglas William Walker Whitelaw and Thelma Ray Kelly). Daphne was from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Douglas was the son of Harry Tulloch Whitelaw and Agnes Drummond. Thelma was the daughter of Joseph William Kelly, from Waterloo, Ontario, and of Ella Sparling, from Huron, Ontario.
02/16/2017 – Kate Upton – Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2017 Launch Event – Arrivals – Center415 Event Space, Fifth Avenue – New York City, NY, USA – Photo Credit: Lisa Holte / PRPhotos.com
Birth Name: Katherine Elizabeth Upton
Place of Birth: St. Joseph, Michigan, U.S.
Date of Birth: June 10, 1992
Ethnicity: English, small amount of Scottish, distant German and Dutch
Kate Upton is an American model and actress. She is the daughter of Shelley (Davis), a Texas state tennis champion, and Jeff Upton. Her uncle is Republican politician Fred Upton (Frederick Stephen Upton), who has been a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan, since January 3, 1987. Her great-uncle, Frederick Upton, co-founded appliance manufacturer and marketer Whirlpool Corporation. She grew up partly in Melbourne, Florida.
Kate is married to baseball player Justin Verlander, with whom she has a daughter.
Kate’s paternal grandfather is Stephen Edward Upton (the son of Frederick Stanley Upton and Margaret Mather Beckley). Stephen was born in Michigan. Kate’s great-grandfather Frederick was the son of Cassius Marcellus Upton and Carrie A. Blodgett. Margaret was the daughter of Edward Everett Beckley and Carrie Naomi Mather.
Kate’s paternal grandmother is Elizabeth Brooks Vial (the daughter of Charles Henry Vial and Margaret Hastings Tyler). Elizabeth was born in Illinois. Charles was the son of George McNaughten/McNaughton Vial and Emma Frost Goodrich. George’s mother, Margaret McNaughten, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. Kate’s great-grandmother Margaret was the daughter of William Chester Tyler, who was born in Natal, South Africa, to American missionary parents, and of Laura Leland Brooks, who was born in Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
Kate’s maternal grandfather is Roy Ennis Davis (the son of Roy Ennis Davis and Francis/Frances Pearl/Gayle Wood). Kate’s grandfather Roy was born in Texas. Kate’s great-grandfather Roy was the son of Roy Elonza Davis and Emma Sabina Dowdy. Francis was the daughter of Joseph Lesley Wood and Grace Frances Hooser.
Kate’s maternal grandmother is Leta Joan Moore (the daughter of Fritz Alex Moore and Minnie Elouise Garner). Leta was born in Texas. Fritz was the son of Fritz Alex Moore and Ida Catherine Gayler/Gaylor. Minnie was the daughter of James Joshua Garner and Lorene Ann/Anna Sharp.
Cloris was the daughter of Cloris Votruba (Wallace) and Berkeley Claiborne “Buck” Leachman. Her sister was actress and cabaret performer Claiborne Cary. Her father had English ancestry, as did her maternal grandfather. Her maternal grandmother was from a Bohemian Czech family. She had five children with her former husband, editor, director, producer, and actor George Englund. George’s uncle was actor Jack Albertson. Cloris’ granddaughter is singer and songwriter Anabel Englund.
Cloris was a second cousin, twice removed, of vaudeville performer and voice actor Pinto Colvig. Cloris’s maternal great-great-great-grandparents, Allen “Allyn” Woodford and Alphia/Aphia Woodruff, were also Pinto’s paternal great-grandparents.
Cloris’s paternal grandfather was Robert Parker Leachman (the son of William Leachman and Sarah Parker). Robert was born in Illinois. William was the son of Leonard Leachman and Sarah Sanford. Cloris’s great-grandmother Sarah was the daughter of Calvin S. Parker and Sarah A. “Sally” Sparks.
Cloris’s paternal grandmother was Rose/Rosa Claiborne (the daughter of Charles Baring Eugene Claiborne and Rosalthe/Rosa/Rosaltha/Rose Gleason Thompson). Cloris’s grandmother Rose was born in Iowa. Charles was born at sea between England and Australia, the son of The Rev. Richard Baring Claiborne, a clergyman for the Episcopalian church, who was of English parentage, and of Sarah Woodward. Cloris’s great-grandmother Rosalthe was born in Massachusetts, the daughter of Archibald Thompson, who was born in Maine, and of Olive Gleason, who was born in Vermont.
Cloris’s maternal grandfather was Everett Oren Wallace (the son of Andrew/Asa Chipon Wallace and Elmira/Almira/Myra Wiley). Everett was born in Iowa. Andrew was the son of George Wallace and Narcissa Choate. Elmira was the daughter of Jacob Anson Wiley and Mary Leve Woodford.
Cloris’s maternal grandmother was Bertha Votruba (the daughter of Matthis/Mathis/Matthew/Matěj Votruba and Mary/Marie Bratrsovsky/Bratršovská/Brothers/Barthers). Bertha was born in Iowa, to Bohemian Czech parents. Matthis was the son of John Votruba and Dorothy/Dorota Ibeck. Mary was the daughter of Josef/Joseph Bratršovský/Bratrsovscheho and Josephine Ibeck/Abel.
Place of Birth: San Diego, California, United States
Date of Birth: October 10, 1973
Ethnicity: Mexican [Spanish, Indigenous]
Mario Lopez is an American actor and entertainment journalist. He is known for playing A.C Slater on the series Saved by the Bell.
His parents were born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. He is married to actress and producer Courtney Mazza, with whom he has three children.
He was a high school wrestler and is an avid boxing fan. He also commentates professional boxing fights.
A DNA test whose results were displayed on the show Extra (2013) stated that Mario’s genetic ancestry includes Indigenous American, Spanish, and British.
He is a devout Catholic, and underwent baptism by immersion at the Jordan River.
Ethnicity: English, German, with Scottish, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Irish, and Welsh
Tiffani-Amber Thiessen is an American actress, also credited as Tiffani Thiessen. She is the daughter of Robyn (Ernest) and Frank Thiessen, a park designer and landscape architect. She is married to actor Brady Smith, with whom she has two children.
In 1998, Tiffani told InStyle Magazine:
I’m a mutt. I have so much of everything in me, and half of it I don’t even know. German on one side, Greek, Turkish and Welsh on the other. My mom is very olive-skinned; I get my blue eyes from my dad.
This statement, about Greek and Turkish ancestry, does not appear to be correct. Tiffani’s maternal grandfather, Robert Howell Ernest, is listed as having died in Turkey, but he was not of Turkish descent. Robert was born in New Jersey, of approximately three quarters German and one quarter English ancestry.
Tiffani’s paternal grandmother remarried to Lowell Henry Thiessen, who adopted Tiffani’s father. Tiffani’s father subsequently took on the surname Thiessen. Lowell’s ancestry traces to Johann Abraham Thiessen, who was born, c. 1866, in Russia. He was an ethnic German.
Tiffani’s biological paternal grandfather was Franklin Arthur “Frank” Chadwick (the son of Andrew William Chadwick and Pearl Genevieve McCoy). Frank was born in Iowa. Andrew was born in Iowa, the son of Jerome P. Chadwick and Sarah Ellen Ulin. Tiffani’s great-grandmother Pearl was also born in Iowa, the daughter of William McCoy and Nellie Spencer.
Tiffani’s paternal grandmother was Beverly Jean Bondshu (the daughter of Albert Clarence Bondshu and Esma Amanda Hamlett/Hamlet). Beverly was born in California. Albert was born in California, the son of Francis/Frank Albert Bondshu and Mary Elizabeth Halstead. Francis’s father, Karl/Charles Albert Bondshu, was German, from Baden, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Tiffani’s great-grandmother Esma was the daughter of Frank B. Hamlett and Harriett Louise Turner.
Tiffani’s maternal grandfather was Robert Howell Ernest (the son of Otto Bernard Ernest and Gladys Natalie Inderlied). Robert was born in New Jersey. Otto was born in Saxony, Germany, the son of Bernhardt Otto Ernst/Ernest and Bertha Auguste Ziegler, who was from Falkenstein, Upper Palatinate, Bavaria. Gladys was born in New York, the daughter of Charles Franklin Inderlied and Natalie Clara Wolfe.
Tiffani’s maternal grandmother was Therese/Theresa Frances Hood (the daughter of William Aaron/Alexander/Andrew Jackson Hood and Ora Irene Ecton). Therese was born in Californa. William was born in Georgia, the son of Enoch Chapman Hood and Amanda Jane Townsend. Ora was born in Utah, the daughter of Jesse Alexander Ecton and Emma Williams, who was born in Utah, to Welsh parents, her father from Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent and her mother from Swansea.
Wedding announcement of Tiffani’s paternal step-grandfather, Lowell Henry Thiessen, and Tiffani’s paternal grandmother, Beverly Jean Bondshu – http://www.newspapers.com
Place of Birth: Owensboro, Daviess, Kentucky, United States
Date of Birth: June 9, 1963
Ethnicity: English, along with small/distant amounts of Irish, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Scottish, Welsh, French, French-Canadian, Dutch, Flemish Belgian, and German, as well as 3/2048 African
Johnny Depp is an American actor, musician, and producer. He is the star of the films Edward Scissorhands, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Public Enemies, and The Lone Ranger, among many others. Johnny was selected People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2003, and again in 2009. He is also a member of rock supergroup Hollywood Vampires, with Alice Cooper and Joe Perry.
Johnny is the son of Betty Sue (Wells) and John Christopher Depp. He has two children, including actress and model Lily-Rose Depp, with his former partner, French singer, model, and actress Vanessa Paradis.
Much or most of Johnny’s ancestry traces back to England. He also has small amounts (to varying degrees) of Irish, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Scottish, Welsh, French, French-Canadian, Dutch, Flemish Belgian, and German, ancestry, as well as 3/2048 African ancestry (through Elizabeth Key Grinstead, who is his ancestor twice over). Johnny’s patrilineal line is generally traced back to Pierre Deppe, who was born, c. 1706, in France, and to Pierre’s wife, Angelica/Angeline LeVillian/le Villian.
Both of Johnny’s parents, as well as all of Johnny’s grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents, were born in Kentucky. Johnny has stated, on several occasions, that he has or likely has Native American ancestry (of varying tribes, most often Cherokee). For example:
I guess I have some Native American somewhere down the line… My great grandmother was quite a bit of Native American, she grew up Cherokee or maybe Creek Indian. Makes sense in terms of coming from Kentucky, which is rife with Cherokee and Creek.
It does not appear that this Native American ancestry has been documented. All of Johnny’s grandparents and great-grandparents are listed as “White” on United States Censuses. No verified Native American ancestry has been produced for Johnny Depp.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
LOS ANGELES – MAY 18: Depp arrives for “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” US Premiere in Hollywood, CA, 2017, photo by DFree
Johnny’s paternal grandfather was Oren Laramore/Larimore/Larry Depp (the son of Oren Robert/Richard Depp and Effie America Palmore). Johnny’s great-grandfather Oren was the son of John Burks/Burkes Depp and Mariba Elizabeth Reneau. Effie was the daughter of Andrew Houston Palmore and Mary Elizabeth “Mollie” McCreary.
Johnny’s paternal grandmother was Violet Mattie Grinstead (the daughter of Roy F. Grinstead and Mary Edna Bailey). Roy was the son of Christopher Tompkins Grinstead and Martha S. “Mattie” Sanders. Johnny’s great-grandmother Mary Edna was the daughter of Joseph Taylor Bailey and Martha Ann Mansfield.
Johnny’s maternal grandfather was Walter Everett/Everette Wells (the son of Richard Mac/Mack Wells and Anna/Annie Cooper). Richard was the son of Commodore Charlie/William Perry Wells and Rebecca Ann “Beckie” Litteral. Johnny’s great-grandmother Anna was the daughter of William “Bill” M. Cooper and Sarah “Sallie” Jane Craft.
Johnny’s maternal grandmother was Bessie Irene Whitaker (the daughter of Branch Whitaker and May/Mae Slone). Branch was the son of William C. Whitaker and Sarilda/Serilda/Sirilda Amanda Fletcher. May was the daughter of Wiley Slone and Amanda Bradley.
Johnny is descended from a woman, Martha, who born in 1612, and who was of African descent. Martha had a daughter, Elizabeth Key (also an ancestor of Johnny). Elizabeth’s father, William Grinstead, was caucasian, of English descent. Elizabeth was the first woman of African ancestry to successfully take legal action to free herself from slavery. This happened in 1656. Johnny is descended from Martha twice (on one family tree, she is both one of his eight times great-grandmothers, and one of his nine times great-grandmothers). That would mean that Johnny is of 3/2048 African ancestry.
Some family trees state that Johnny’s nine times great-grandmother was a woman named Nicketti Opechancanough, who is said to have been of Powhatan Native American ancestry. If true, that would make Johnny of 1/2048 Powhatan Native American descent. However, stories about her are believed to be a myth. Scholarly research and records dispute the existence of Nicketti Opechancanough.
Genealogy of Johnny’s paternal grandparents, Oren Laramore/Larimore/Larry Depp and Violet Mattie Grinstead – http://www.findagrave.com
Johnny’s paternal grandfather, Oren Laramore/Larimore/Larry Depp (“Laramore Depp”), on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Johnny’s paternal grandmother, Violet Mattie Grinstead (“Violet M. Grinstead”), on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Johnny’s paternal great-great-grandparents, Christopher Tompkins Grinstead and Martha S. “Mattie” Sanders, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Zendaya, also credited as Zendaya Coleman, is an American actress, singer, dancer, and model. She plays MJ in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Her father, Kazembe Ajamu (born Samuel David Coleman), is African-American, from a family from Arkansas. Her mother, Claire Marie (Stoermer), who is white, has German, Irish, English, and Scottish ancestry. Her name, Zendaya, comes from the word Tendai/Tendayi, which means “to give thanks” in Shona, a Southwestern African language common in Zimbabwe and southern Zambia.
Zendaya’s maternal grandfather was Phillip Hilary Stoermer (the son of Fritz Hillary Stoermer and Marian Elizabeth Peir). Phillip was born in California. Fritz was the son of Henry Stoermer and Etta Tyler Fritz. Marian was the daughter of Alois Henry Peir and Kathyrn Gertrude Leahy/Leady.
Zendaya’s maternal grandmother was Daphne Carol Whitelaw (the daughter of Douglas William Walker Whitelaw and Thelma Ray Kelly). Daphne was from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Douglas was the son of Harry Tulloch Whitelaw and Agnes Drummond. Thelma was the daughter of Joseph William Kelly, from Waterloo, Ontario, and of Ella Sparling, from Huron, Ontario.
Place of Birth: Hayward, Alameda, California, United States
Date of Birth: May 2, 1972
Ethnicity:
*father – African-Canadian/Black Nova Scotian, small amount of Irish
*mother – Samoan
Dwayne Johnson, also credited as The Rock, is an American actor, producer, businessperson, professional wrestler, and American/Canadian professional football player.
He is the son of Ata Johnson (born Feagaimaleata or Mataniufeagaimaleata Fitisemanu Maivia) and Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles), a Canadian and American wrestler. A picture of Dwayne at a young age, along with his parents, can be found here.
Dwayne’s father, who was black (African-Canadian), was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada, of Black Nova Scotian heritage. Black Nova Scotians are descended from African-Americans who left the U.S. after the American Revolution, having sided with the British. Dwayne’s paternal grandparents were both black, and Dwayne has stated that he also found out that he has some “strong Irish blood” on his father’s side. Dwayne has also been said to have First Nations (Native Canadian) ancestry, although it is not clear if that is accurate.
Dwayne’s mother is Samoan. Dwayne spent some time growing up in Grey Lynn, New Zealand, where he was able to learn about his Pacific Islander heritage. He has a tribal “pe’a” chest-and-arm tattoo.
Dwayne was selected People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2016. He is the second non-white man, and the second man of significant African ancestry, to have been given this title by the magazine (Denzel Washington, in 1996, is the first, and Idris Elba, in 2018, John Legend, in 2019, and Michael B. Jordan, in 2020, are the others, fitting both criteria). Dwayne is also the first Polynesian man to have been given the title.
Dwayne is married to singer and songwriter Lauren Hashian. He has a daughter with his former wife, producer Dany Garcia; and two children with Lauren. Dany works on many of Dwayne’s films.
Dwyane’s paternal grandfather was James Henry A. Bowles (the son of John W. Bowles and Lila/Lilla/Lillian Jones). James was born in Amherst, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, Canada. John was the son of Stephen Bowles and Charlotte. Lila was the daughter of Henry Jones and Mary Jane.
Dwyane’s paternal grandmother was Lillian Gay (the daughter of Alfred Nathan Gay and Isabelle/Isabel/Isabell/Isabella Sickles). Lillian was born in Amherst, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Alfred was the son of Delia. Isabelle was born on Prince Edward Island, the daughter of William Benjamin Sickles and Hannah Colecraft.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Dwayne Johnson with his parents, 2015, photo by kathclick/Bigsotck.com
Dwyane’s maternal grandfather was named Fanene Leifi Pita Maivia (the son of Rebecca Fanene). Fanene was a famous Samoan pro-wrestler, under the name Peter Maivia. He was from American Samoa. In Dwayne’s early wrestling days, he was known as Rocky Maivia, a combination of the nicknames of his father, Rocky Johnson, and his grandfather, Peter Maivia.
Dwayne’s maternal grandmother was named Ofelia “Lia” Fuataga. Ofelia was born in Lalomanu, Aleipata, Western Samoa (then under New Zealand rule, now independent), and was a wrestling promoter.
Dwayne’s paternal great-grandparents, Alfred Nathan Gay and Isabelle/Isabel/Isabell/Isabella Sickles, on the 1901 Canada Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Alfred Nathan Gay and Isabelle/Isabel/Isabell/Isabella Sickles on the 1911 Canada Census – familysearch.org
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Johnson with wife Lauren Hashian, 2013, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com
Naomi Osaka is a Japanese professional tennis player. She has been ranked No. 1 by the Women’s Tennis Association, is the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles, is a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, and as of 2021, is champion of the U.S. Open and the Australian Open.
She is the daughter of Tamaki Osaka and Leonard “San” François. Her father is Haitian, from Jacmel, Haiti. Her mother is Japanese, from Hokkaido, Japan. Her parents met when her father visited Hokkaido as a college student from New York. Her sister, Mari Osaka, is also a professional tennis player. Her parents used her mother’s name for their children as it was more practical in Japan.
During Naomi’s early years, her family relocated to Valley Stream, Long Island, New York. She was also raised in Florida. Her father was inspired to teach his daughters tennis by the Williams sisters. Her parents also decided that their daughters would represent Japan professionally.
Naomi has limited Japanese language ability. In Japanese interviews, the interviewer often asks questions in simple Japanese, to which Naomi only gives brief answers in the casual form of the language.
Ethnicity:
*father – English, small amounts of Scottish, German, and Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, remote French Huguenot
*mother – Chinese
Olivia Munn is an American model, actress, writer, and television personality.
Olivia was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S., and was raised in Tokyo, Japan. Her father, who is American-born, is white, and has English, and distant Scottish, German, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, and French Huguenot, ancestry. Her mother was raised in Vietnam, and is of Chinese descent. Olivia’s mother moved to the U.S. after the Vietnam War. She remarried to an American Air Force man who was stationed in Japan. As a result, Olivia spent a lot of her youth living in Shinjuku, one of the busiest parts of Tokyo. She has modeled in Japan, as well as in the U.S.
Olivia’s paternal grandfather was Luke/Luther Eugene Munn (the son of Bynam/Bynum Franklin Munn and Susan Elizabeth “Susie” Otwell). Luke was born in Arkansas. Bynam was the son of Thomas Franklin Munn and Mary Ann Morris. Susan was the daughter of John Page Otwell and Rebecca Jane House.
Olivia’s paternal grandmother was Carolyn Estelle Sherrill (the daughter of Henry Hunt Sherrill and Carrie Etta Cannon). Olivia’s grandmother Carolyn was born in Oklahoma. Henry was the son of Robert Lorenzo Sherrill and Mary Rebecca Henley. Olivia’s great-grandmother Carrie was the daughter of William Lafayette Cannon and Rebecca Jane Pinion.
Sources: Genealogy of Olivia Munn (focusing on her father’s side) – http://www.geni.com
Place of Birth: Carmichael, Sacramento, California, United States
Date of Birth: March 27, 1988
Ethnicity: Hmong, Thai
Brenda Song is an American actress, singer, producer, and model. She has appeared in the films Leave it to Beaver, College Road Trip, and Secret Obsession, among others.
Her father is a Hmong who emigrated to the U.S. from Laos. Her mother is Thai, and was adopted by Hmong parents.
Her father’s family name was originally Xiong, but was changed to Song after her father moved to the U.S. Brenda is fluent in Hmong and stated in an interview that her father encouraged her and her brothers to speak Hmong at home to keep their culture.
