Birth Name: Katherine Elaine Hendrix

Place of Birth: Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Date of Birth: December 28, 1970

Ethnicity: Italian (great-grandfather), English, Irish, Danish

Elaine Hendrix is an American actress, producer, singer, dancer, and activist. She is known for her role in the 1998 remake The Parent Trap. Elaine is the daughter of Mary Elaine (DePersio) and Thomas Hendrix Jr.

Elaine’s maternal grandparents were Robert E. DePersio (the son of Dominick John DePersio and Martha McCarthy) and Rosemary E. Nelson.

Sources: http://www.amc.com

Obituaries of Elaine’s maternal grandparents, Robert E. DePersio and Rosemary E. Nelson – http://www.findagrave.com

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Birth Name: Vanna Marie Rosich

Place of Birth: North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States

Date of Birth: February 18, 1957

Ethnicity:
*Puerto Rican, Spanish (including Catalan), likely some Croatian (father)
*possibly Greek, Italian, English, and German (mother)

Vanna White is an American actress and television personality. She is the hostess of the television game show Wheel of Fortune.

Vanna is the daughter of Miguel Angel (García) Rosich and Joan Marie (Nichols) White. Miguel left the family when Vanna was still a child. Vanna was eventually adopted by her stepfather, Herbert Stackley White, Jr.

Vanna is often described as having Croatian, English, Italian, Puerto Rican/Spanish, German, and Greek ancestry. Her father was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Evidently, her Croatian ancestry is from her father as well, due to the surname “Rosich” (“Rosić”) having Croatian origins. The rest of her stated ancestry must be from her mother’s side.

Vanna is often described as the niece of actor Christopher George, who was of Greek descent. Vanna has clarified the matter, saying: “he wasn’t a blood brother [of my mother], but my mother grew up with his family. Years later in L.A., he and his wife took me under their wing”.

Vanna’s paternal grandparents were Carlos Miguel Benigne/Benigno Tomás Rosich Y Pasarell (the son of José Rosich Y Alomar and Eudoceia/Eudoxia Pasarell Y Torres) and Gloria Maria García de Rosich. Vanna’s great-grandfather José was born in Mallorca, Spain. Eudoceia/Eudoxia was born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Gloria was born in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico. According to a rumor, one of Vanna’s ancestors, with the surname “Barnes”, was one of the first mayors of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Sources: Genealogy of Vanna White – http://www.geni.com

Records of Vanna White – https://familysearch.org
https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of Vanna’s father – https://familysearch.org

Vanna’s father on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Record of Vanna’s father – https://familysearch.org

Birth certificate of Vanna’s paternal grandfather, Carlos Miguel Benigne/Benigno Tomás Rosich Y Pasarell – https://familysearch.org

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Birth name: Simonetta Izzo

Place of Birth: Rome, Italy

Date of Birth: 22 April 1953

Ethnicity: Italian

Family Background: Simona Izzo is an Italian director, screenwriter, actress and dubber.

Simona was born to Renato Izzo, a dubber and actor, and Liliana D’Amico.

Simona’s paternal grandparents were Romolo Izzo, a Prefect, and Giuseppina. They were from Calvi Risorta, Province of Caserta, Campania, Italy.

Simona is married to director and actor Ricky Tognazzi.

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Birth name: Katrina Law

Place of birth: West New York, New Jersey

Date of birth: 30 september 1985

Ethnicity: Taiwanese, German and Italian

Katrina Law is an american actress. She is best known for playing the roles of Mira in the Starz television series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand and Spartacus: Vengeance, and Nyssa al Ghul on The CW television series, Arrow.

Law was born in West New York, New Jersey. Her mother is Taiwanese and her father is of German and Italian descent.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katrina_Law

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Birth name: Chelsea Vanessa Peretti

Place of Birth: Oakland, California, United States

Date of birth: February 20, 1978

Ethnicity:
*Italian, English (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Chelsea Peretti is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. She is known for portraying Gina Linetti on the Fox comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Chelsea was born and raised in Oakland, California. Her brother, Jonah Peretti, is an internet entrepreneur, who founded Buzzfeed and co-founded The Huffington Post.

Chelsea’s father is of Italian and English descent. Chelsea’s mother is Jewish (of Russian Jewish descent).

Chelsea has said:

Our mother’s Jewish and our dad is Italian, so I think from the start, we had sort of a upbringing where we celebrated both Hanukkah and Christmas. This duality was constantly present.

Chelsea’s paternal grandparents were Gino/Gene Joseph Peretti and Barbara Claire King (the daughter of Russell King and Claire Dodge).

Chelsea’s maternal grandparents were Arthur Cherkin (the son of Carl Cherkin and Frances Kanter) and Adina Mantchik (the daughter of Herz Mantchik and Gena Kooriansky). Arthur was born in Pennsylvania, to Russian Jewish parents.

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Birth Name: Robert William Parissi

Place of Birth: Ohio, United States

Date of Birth: December 29, 1950

Ethnicity:
* Italian (father)
* Irish (mother)

Rob Parissi is an American musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the American funk rock band Wild Cherry. He is the son of Goldie Etely (Reidy) and Anthony James “Tony” Parissi, Sr.

Rob’s paternal grandparents were Romeo Parissi (the son of Gaetano “Guy” Parissi and Maria “Mary” Santori) and Anna De Santis (the daughter of Vincenzo De Santis). Romeo was an Italian immigrant, from Ascoli Piceno, Province of Ascoli Piceno. Gaetano was the son of Domenico Parissi and Domenica Marcelli. Maria was the daughter of Emidio Santori and Domenica Giardini.

Rob’s maternal grandparents were Patrick Joseph Reidy (the son of John Reidy and Mary Cuniff) and Bertha Marie Holstein (the daughter of Jacob Harrison Holstein and Ann “Annie” Nicholson). John was an Irish immigrant, from County Limerick. Mary was also born in Ireland, to John Cuniff and Mary. Jacob was the son of Cyrus Holstein and Mary Ulrich. Ann was the daughter of James Nickelson and Permilla A. Morehouse.

Sources: Rob’s birth record – http://birth-records.mooseroots.com/l/8258306/Robert-William-Parissi

Marriage record of Rob’s parents – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZ38-GHD

Birth record of Rob’s father – http://birth-records.mooseroots.com/l/1995693/Anthony-James-Parissi

Birth record of Rob’s mother – http://birth-records.mooseroots.com/l/3345124/Goldie-Etely-Reidy

Census record of Rob’s paternal grandfather, Romeo Parissi – http://www.antenati.san.beniculturali.it/v/Archivio+di+Stato+di+Ascoli+Piceno/Stato+civile+italiano/Ascoli+Piceno/Censimento/1800-1880/27+fogli+2301-2395/007352100_00005.jpg.html

Death record of Rob’s paternal grandfather, Romeo Parissi – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X61F-KXW

Death record of Rob’s paternal grandmother, Anna (De Santis) Parissi – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X6XZ-J7K

Birth record of Rob’s maternal grandfather, Patrick Joseph Reidy – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X66P-7KM

Rob’s maternal great-grandmother, Mary Cuniff, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWF5-M1S

Birth Name: Fernanda Motta

Place of Birth: Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Date of Birth: May 29, 1981

Ethnicity: Italian, possibly other

Family Background: Her surname, Motta, is of Italian origin and somewhat common throughout Brazil.

Source: http://forebears.io/surnames/motta

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Birth Name: David Jason Muir

Place of Birth: Syracuse, New York

Date of Birth: November 8, 1973

Ethnicity: Sicilian/Italian, English, Scottish, Irish, German

David Muir is an American journalist and anchor.

David’s paternal grandfather was Douglas A. Muir (the son of Archibald Muir and Ida Mae/May Browning). Archibald was Scottish, the son of Archibald Muir and Elizabeth Lackey. Ida was the daughter of John Browning and Mary L. Smith.

David’s paternal grandmother was Mary E. McGrath (the daughter of James McGrath and Sadie Edenger). James was born in New York, to Irish parents.

David’s maternal grandfather was Anthony R. Pontello (the son of Richard Pontello and Desileana “Nellie” Petta). Richard was Italian/Sicilian. Desileana was born in New York, to Italian parents.

Sources: David’s paternal grandfather, Douglas A. Muir, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

David’s paternal great-grandmother, Ida Mae/May Browning, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

David’s paternal grandmother, Mary E. McGrath, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of David’s paternal grandmother, Mary E. (McGrath) Muir – http://obits.syracuse.com

David’s maternal grandfather, Anthony R. Pontello, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Jack P. Dorsey

Place of Birth: St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Date of Birth: November 19, 1976

Ethnicity:
*Irish (paternal grandfather)
*German (paternal grandmother)
*Italian, other (mother)

Jack Dorsey is an American programmer and entrepreneur. He is widely known as a co-founder and CEO of Twitter, and as the founder and CEO of Square, a mobile payments company. He is the son of Marcia A. (Smith) and Timothy G. “Tim” Dorsey.

Jack’s paternal grandfather was Edward D. Dorsey (the son of Patrick Daniel Dorsey and Kathryn F. Quinn). Patrick was the son of Irish immigrants, John Dorsey and Mary Danaher. Kathryn was the daughter of Irish immigrants, John Henry Quinn and Bridget Cawley.

Jack’s paternal grandmother was Celeste Rose Messmer (the daughter of Emmet Messmer and Julia Caroline Mueller). Emmet was the son of John Messmer and Minnie Molt. Julia was the daughter of German immigrants, Egidius Mueller and Eva Marie Frank.

Sources: Genealogy of Jack Dorsey (focusing on his father’s side) – http://www.geni.com

Jack’s paternal grandfather, Edward D. Dorsey, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Jack’s paternal grandmother, Celeste Rose Messmer, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Jack’s paternal grandmother, Celeste Rose (Messmer) Dorsey – http://www.legacy.com

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Birth Name: Gia Marie Carangi

Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Date of Birth: January 29, 1960

Date of Death: November 18, 1986

Ethnicity: Italian (father); Irish, Welsh (mother)

Family Background: Her parents are Joseph Carangi and Kathleen Adams. Gia was an American model who tragically died of AIDS at age 26 after becoming a heroin addict.

Source: http://www.nndb.com/people/005/000107681/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gia_Carangi

Birth Name: Kiernan Brennan Shipka

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Date of Birth: November 10, 1999

Ethnicity:
*37.5% Irish
*25% Bohemian/Czech
*12.5% German
*12.5% Italian
*12.5% English, some Scottish, distant French

Kiernan Shipka is an American actress. She is known for playing Sallie Draper on the AMC series Mad Men.

Kiernan’s paternal grandparents are Ronald Bruce Shipka (the son of John Shipka and Mildred Kubala) and LaVerne Young (the daughter of Arthur LeRoy Young and Lulu LaVerne Young). Ronald is of Bohemian/Czech descent. Arthur’s parents, Nicholas S. Young and Catherine Schlenger, were German. Kiernan’s great-grandmother Lulu was of English, some Scottish, and distant French, distant.

On her mother’s side, Kiernan is the granddaughter of William Joseph/Francis Brennan (the son of James E. Brennan and Anna Mae Murphy) and Rose Mary Borio (the daughter of Francis “Frank” Borio and Rose Mary McCauley). Kiernan’s great-grandfather James was born in Illinois, to Irish parents. Kiernan’s great-grandmother Anna was also of Irish ancestry. Kiernan’s great-grandfather Francis was the son of Italian parents, Felix Borio and Angelina Frasca. Kiernan’s great-grandmother Rose Mary was the daughter of Irish-American parents, Patrick Charles McCauley and Abbigail F. Hennessy.

Sources: Genealogy of Kiernan’s paternal great-grandmother, Lulu LaVerne Young – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Kiernan’s maternal grandfather, William Joseph/Francis Brennan, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Kiernan’s maternal grandfather, William Joseph/Francis Brennan – http://www.legacy.com

Genealogy of Kiernan’s maternal grandmother, Rose Mary Borio – http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com

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Place of Birth: East Meadow, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: February 15, 1956

Ethnicity: Italian (including Sicilian)

Family Background: Joy Mangano is an American inventor, businesswoman, and entrepreneur known for inventions such as the self-wringing Miracle Mop. The film “Joy”, starring Jennifer Lawrence, is based on her life.

Joy’s father is Rudy Mangano. The surname “Mangano” is of Sicilian origin.

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Birth Name: Anne Marie Mumolo

Place of Birth: Irvine, California, U.S.

Date of Birth: July 10, 1973

Ethnicity: Italian

Annie Mumolo is an American actress, screenwriter, comedian, and producer.

On her father’s side, Annie is the granddaughter of Dominic Mumolo (the son of Antonio/Anthony Mumolo and Stella Palazzo) and Jeanne Vincenza Galasso (the daughter of Vito Galasso and Teresa Torres). Dominic was a studio musician at NBC from 1949 to 1971; he was born in California, to Italian parents, from Bari. Annie’s grandmother Jeanne was also born in California, also to Italian parents from Bari. Vito was the son of Luigi Galasso and Maria Clarizio. Teresa was the daughter of Luigi Torres.

Sources: Marriage record of Annie’s paternal grandparents, Dominic Mumolo and Jeanne Vincenza Galasso – https://familysearch.org

Annie’s paternal grandfather, Dominic Mumolo, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Annie’s paternal grandfather, Dominic Mumolo – http://www.tributes.com

Annie’s paternal grandmother, Jeanne Vincenza Galasso, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Edwin Cole McCain

Place of Birth: Greenville, South Carolina, United States

Date of Birth: January 20, 1970

Ethnicity: English, French, German, Irish, Scots-Irish (Northern Irish), Scottish, Welsh, remote Channel Islander (Jersey) and Dutch, as well as 1/1024 Italian and 1/8192 Native American (Powhatan)

Edwin McCain is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is the son of Wendy (Boatwright) and Watt McCain, Jr. He is married to Mary Christine “Christy” Young.

Edwin’s father is pictured here (page 75).

Edwin’s paternal grandfather was Watt McCain (the son of Watt McCain and Sarah Rebecca “Sallie” Cole). Edwin’s great-grandfather Watt was the son of John Sidney McCain and Sarah Frances Wheless. Edwin’s great-grandmother Sarah was the daughter of William Ferguson Cole and Aurelia Qualls Walton. Aurelia’s 3rd great-grandfather, Mark Anthony, was an Italian immigrant, from Genoa. Aurelia’s 6th great-grandmother, Pocahontas, was Native American (Powhatan).

Edwin’s paternal grandmother was Berta Aline Fowler (the daughter of Eugene Bass Fowler and Aline Robison). Eugene was the son of Jeremiah Green Fowler and Parazade Camilla Moore. Aline was the daughter of ? Robison and Berta.

Edwin’s maternal grandfather was Purvis James Boatwright (the son of Purvis Jenkins Boatwright and Elizabeth Moore “Bessie” Heard). Edwin’s great-grandfather Purvis was the son of James Boatwright and Agnes Louise Strohecker. Elizabeth was the daughter of William Thompson Heard and Lula Willie Moore.

Edwin’s maternal grandmother was Ann Ware (the daughter of James Robert Ware and Eliza Dargan). James was the son of James Henry Ware and Anna Robert Child. Eliza was the daughter of William Edwin Dargan, Jr. and Mary Brockington Hart.

Edwin’s patrilineal ancestry can be traced back to his 10th great-grandfather, William McKeane.

Edwin’s matrilineal ancestry can be traced back to his 7th great-grandmother, Mary Graceberry.

Source: Genealogy of Edwin McCain – http://www.geni.com

Birth Name: Anthony Joseph Gilroy

Place of Birth: Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 11, 1956

Ethnicity:
*25% Irish
*12.5% Italian
*12.5% German
*50% Slovak

Tony Gilroy is an American screenwriter and filmmaker. He directed the films Michael Clayton (2007), Duplicity (2009), and The Bourne Legacy (2012).

He is the son of Ruth Dorothy (Gaydos), a sculptor and writer, and Frank D. Gilroy, an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and movie director and producer. His siblings are screenwriter Dan Gilroy and editor John Gilroy.

Tony’s paternal grandparents were Frank B. Gilroy (the daughter of Hugh Joseph Gilroy and Hannah McCarty) and Bettina Vasti (the daughter of Tony Vasti and Augusta Bachmann). Hugh was born in West, Sligo, Ireland. Hannah was born in Cork, Ireland. Tony was of Italian descent. Augusta was of German origin, the daughter of Ferdinand Bachmann and Millida Zigler.

Tony’s maternal grandparents were Joseph Gaydos and Mary. Joseph and Mary were ethnic Slovak immigrants.

Sources: Genealogy of Tony’s father – http://www.ancestry.com

Tony’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

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Place of Birth: Montluçon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Date of Birth: 6 February, 1993

Ethnicity: Polish, Italian, possibly French

Paul Jedrasiak is a French professional rugby union player.

Paul is the son of Liliane and Jean-Pierre Jedrasiak.

Paul’s maternal grandparents are Camilla Giambiasi (the daughter of Ferdinando Giambiasi and Concetta Fogola) and René. Camilla’s parents were from Montereggio, Province of Massa-Carrara, Tuscany, Italy.

Source: http://i.imgur.com

Birth Name: Michel François Platini

Place of Birth: Jœuf, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France

Date of Birth:21 June 1955

Ethnicity: Italian

Family Background:

Michel Platini is a French football administrator and former player. Regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, he served as the president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) from 2007 until 2015, after which he was banned for 8 years following an ethics investigation by the FIFA ethics committee on 21 December 2015.

Michel was born to Aldo Platini and Anna Piccinelli, both of Italian descent.

Michel’s paternal grandfather was Francesco Platini. He was born in Agrate Conturbia, Province of Novara, Piedmont, Italy.

Michel’s maternal grandmother was Prima Troian. She was born in Sospirolo, Province of Belluno, Veneto, Italy.

Source:

http://www.eurosport.fr/football/serie-a/2011-2012/platini-de-retour_sto3250174/story.shtml

http://www.ilgazzettino.it/pay/belluno_pay/nel_1985_rivelo_michel_platini_di_origini_bellunesi-1266772.html

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Birth Name: Cristoforo Colombo

Place of Birth: Republic of Genoa (present-day Italy)

Date of Birth: 1451

Ethnicity: Italian

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer, navigator, and colonizer. While attempting to reach India from Europe via the Atlantic Ocean under the auspices of the Spanish monarchs, he discovered America (although he was not the first European to reach the continent), leading to the colonization of the Americas by western coutries.

He was the son of Susanna (Fontanarossa) and Domenico Colombo. Susanna was born in Bisagno, Italy. Domenico was born in Genoa, Italy.

Cristopher’s paternal grandparents were Giovanni Colombo (the son of Lucas Colombo) and ? de Sconocida. Giovanni was born in Chiavari, Italy. De Sconocida was born in Quinto, Italy.

Christopher’s maternal grandfather was Giacomo Fontanarrosa. Giacomo was born in Bisagno, Italy.

Source: Genealogies of Christopher Columbus –
http://www.geni.com/people/Christopher-Columbus/6000000000432836404
https://familysearch.org/tree/#view=ancestor&person=99TN-DN1

Place of Birth: Rome, Italy

Date of Birth: 10 June 1937

Ethnicity: Italian

Luciana Paluzzi is an Italian actress. She is known for her role in the fourth James Bond film, Thunderball.

Luciana is married to Michael Jay Solomon, former president of Warner Bros International Television, and was previously married to actor Brett Halsey.

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Birth Name: Laura Nerina Morante

Place of Birth: Santa Fiora, Province of Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy

Date of Birth: 21 August 1956

Ethnicity: Italian (including Sicilian), Jewish (paternal great-grandmother)

Laura Morante is an Italian film actress.

Laura is the daughter of Marcello Morante and Maria Bona Palazzeschi. Laura’s aunt, Elsa Morante, was a prominent novelist.

Laura’s paternal grandparents were Francesco Lo Monaco and Irma Poggibonsi/Poggibonzi. Francesco was from Acireale, Province of Catania, Sicily, Italy. Irma was from Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, and was Jewish on her mother’s side. “Morante” was the surname of Marcello’s stepfather, Augusto Morante, who was a Jew from Rome.

Source: Irma Poggibonzi’s mention: https://books.google.it

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