Place of Birth: Qawra, St. Paul’s Bay, Malta
Date of Birth: 25 February 1988
Ethnicity:
* Italian (father)
* Maltese (mother)
Claudia Faniello is a Maltese singer. She will represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.
Claudia’s older brother, Fabrizio Faniello, is also a singer, who represented Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 and 2006, placing 9th and 24th, respectively.
Claudia’s father, Vincenzo Faniello, is Italian. Claudia’s mother, Anna, is Maltese, also from Qawra.
Place of Birth: Floriana, Malta
Date of Birth: 27 April 1981
* Italian (father)
* Maltese (mother)
Fabrizio Faniello is a Maltese singer. He represented Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 and 2006, placing 9th and 24th, respectively.
Fabrizio’s younger sister, Claudia Faniello, will represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.
Fabrizio’s father, Vincenzo Faniello, is Italian. Fabrizio’s mother, Anna, is Maltese, from Qawra, St. Paul’s Bay.
Birth Name: Christopher Charles Cuomo
Place of Birth: Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Birth: August 9, 1970
Ethnicity: Italian (including Sicilian)
Chris Cuomo is an American television journalist.
Chris is the son of Matilda (Raffa) and Mario Cuomo, a Governor of New York, from January 1, 1983 to December 31, 1994. His brother is Andrew Cuomo, a politician, who has been Governor of New York, since January 1, 2011, among other duties.
Chris’s paternal grandparents were Andrea Cuomo (the son of Donato Cuomo and Germana Castaldo) and Immaculata Giardano. Andrea was born in Nocera Superiore, Salerno, Italy. Immaculata was born in Tramonti, Salerno, Italy.
Chris’s maternal grandparents were Charles Raffa and Mary Gitto. Charles was born in Messina, Sicily, Italy. Mary was also Italian.
Sources: Partial family history of Chris’s father – http://blogs.ancestry.com
Genealogy of Andrew Cuomo – http://www.geni.com
Photo: miromiro/Bigstock.com
Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S
Date of Birth:March 5, 1959
Ethnicity:
Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
mix of Dutch, English, some German (maternal grandfather)
Italian (maternal grandmother)
Family Background: Talia Balsam is an American TV and film actress. She is the daughter of film actor Martin Balsam and actress Joyce Van Patten. She was formerly married to actor George Clooney, and is currently married to actor John Slattery.
Source: https://www.geni.com/
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/
Photo by s_bukley/Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Luis Fernando da Silva, Jr.
Place of Birth: Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.
Date of Birth: August 3, 1982
Ethnicity:
*Portuguese (father)
*Italian (mother)
Luis da Silva is an American actor, basketball player, author, and producer. He is also known as Luis Trikz.
He was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the son of Luis Fernando da Silva, Sr., and Dana C. da Silva. He has a sister, Shari.
His father is originally from Parada de Gonta, Tondela, Portugal. His mother is Italian.
He speaks fluent Portuguese and English.
Sources: http://luistrikz.com
https://www.youtube.com (Interview in Portuguese)
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Birth Name: Maria Teresa Dizzia
Place of Birth: Belleville, New Jersey, U.S.
Date of Birth: December 29, 1974
Ethnicity: Italian, possibly Greek
Maria Dizzia is an American actress. She was born in Belleville, New Jersey, the daughter of Lorraine (Bladis) and John Paul Dizzia. She has a sister, Gina. Both her parents have at least some Italian ancestry.
Her maternal grandparents were Albert A. Bladis and Virginia Ruggiero.
The surname “Bladis” can be of Greek origin.
Source: Obituary of Maria’s maternal grandmother, Virginia (Ruggiero) Bladis – http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?pid=153127733
Photo by prphotos.com
Birth Name: Victoria Syde Praver
Place of Birth: San Diego, California, United States
Date of Birth: June 4, 1987
Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*Italian, Norwegian, German, Czech/Bohemian, some Dutch (mother)
Tori Praver is an American model and swimwear fashion designer. She was born in San Diego, California, the daughter of Lori J. (Boggio) and Stephen L. Praver. She had a brother, Ryan. Tori was raised in Maui, Hawaii, U.S. Tori is married to surfer, model, photographer, and independent filmmaker Danny Fuller. They have two children.
Tori’s paternal grandfather was Edwin Praver (the son of Albert Praver and Eve/Eva). The surname “Praver” can be traced back to Galicia (now Poland/Ukraine). Albert was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents. Eva was also born in New York, also to Russian Jews.
Tori’s paternal grandmother was Joan L. Rauch (the daughter of Benjamin G. Rauch and Syde). Benjamin was born in New York, to Austrian Jewish parents. Syde was also Jewish, and was born in New York, to a father from Russia and a mother from New York.
Tori’s maternal grandfather was Joseph” Joe” Louis Boggio. He had Italian ancestry.
Tori’s maternal grandmother was Barbara Ann Bergsrud (the daughter of Burton Andrew Bergsrud and Irma Zita Hinker). Burton was born in Iowa, to a Norwegian father, Hans Bergsrud, and a first-generation American mother, Anna G., whose parents hailed from Norway. Irma’s father, John Henry Huinker/Hinker, was born in Iowa, of mostly German, and some Dutch, descent, with German roots in North Rhine-Westphalia. Irma’s mother, Tori’s great-great-grandmother Rose, was born in Iowa, to Bohemian parents, Frederick Houdek and Kathryn Houska.
Sources: Birth certificate of Tori Praver – https://familysearch.org
Obituary of Tori’s brother, Ryan B. Praver – http://archives.starbulletin.com
Tori’s surname origin – http://www.geshergalicia.org
Engagement announcement of Tori’s paternal grandparents, Edwin Praver and Joan L. Rauch – https://www.newspapers.com
Tori’s paternal grandfather, Edwin Praver, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Tori’s paternal grandmother, Joan L. Rauch, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Obituary of Tori’s maternal grandfather, Joseph “Joe” L. Boggio – http://www.recordgazette.net
Genealogy of Tori’s mother’s family – http://stlucas.square7.ch
http://ossianfestinastlucasfamilies.weebly.com
Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Dennis G. Farina
Date of Birth: February 29, 1944
Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Date of Death: July 22, 2013
Place of Death: Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
Ethnicity: Italian (including Sicilian)
Dennis Farina was an American actor of film and television and former Chicago police officer.
Dennis was the son of Italian parents, Joseph Farina and Yolanda Donati. His father, a physician, was born in Villalba, Province of Caltanissetta, Sicily. His mother was born in Borgo a Buggiano, Province of Pistoia, Tuscany.
Dennis’s paternal grandparents were Joseph Farina and Josephine Panateri.
Source: Record of Dennis’ father – https://familysearch.org
Photo by Starfrenzy/www.bigstockphoto.com
Birth Name: Michael Vincent Rispoli
Place of Birth: Tappan, New York, U.S.
Date of Birth: November 27, 1960
Ethnicity: Italian
Michael Rispoli is an American actor. He is the son of Madeline (Buonocore) and Ralph O. Rispoli. He has eight siblings.
Michael’s paternal grandparents were James Rispoli and Madeline. They were both from Italy.
Michael’s maternal grandparents were Ernest/Arnesto B. Buonocore (the son of Diodato Buonocore and Madalena Deroco) and Carmela DelGrosso.
Sources: https://www.backstage.com
Michael’s father on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Obituary of Michael’s mother, Madeline (Buonocore) Rispoli – http://www.legacy.com
Photo by DFree/Bigstock.com
Place of Birth: São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Date of Birth: December 12, 1946
Ethnicity:
*Italian (father)
*Polish, possibly Russian (mother)
Emerson Fittipaldi is a Brazilian semi-retired racing driver. He has won both the Formula One World Championship and the Indianapolis 500 twice.
Emerson was born in the city of São Paulo, to a first-generation Brazilian father, Wilson Fittipaldi, Sr., and a Russian-born Polish mother, Józefa “Juzy” Wojciechowska.
Wilson was born in Santo André, São Paulo, to Italian parents from Trecchina, province of Potenza, Basilicata, who moved to Brazil in the early 1900s.
Józefa was originally born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, of Polish descent. She is said to also have Russian descent.
Emerson’s paternal grandfather was Pasquale Fittipaldi.
Emerson’s maternal grandfather was Ivan Wojciechowski.
He speaks fluent Portuguese, Italian, English, Spanish, and French.
Sources: http://m.viagem.uol.com.br (in Portuguese)
http://motor-chicche.blogspot.com.br (in Italian)
Photo by prphotos.com
Birth Name: Alok Achkar Peres Petrillo
Place of Birth: Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
Date of Birth: August 26, 1991
Ethnicity: Brazilian (Italian, Lebanese, Portuguese, possibly other)
Alok is a Brazilian DJ and record producer.
He was born in Goiânia, Goiás, the son of Brazilian parents Ekanta Jake Peres and Juarez “Swarup” Achkar Petrillo.
After they divorced, Alok moved with his mother and twin brother, Bhaskar, to Amsterdam, London, and São Paulo. He was then raised in Brasília during his teenage years.
Both Ekanta and Juarez are also DJs. Ekanta’s surname is Portuguese. Juarez’s surnames are of Italian and Lebanese origin.
Alok’s paternal grandparents were José Petrillo and Dalel Achkar.
Alok’s maternal grandmother is Val Jake.
Alok has stated that his name is originally from India and means “light”.
Alok is pictured with his parents here.
Sources: http://beatland.com.br (in Portuguese)
https://tecnocibernetico.wordpress.com (in Portuguese)
http://www.craveonline.com
Birth Name: Nathanaele Eugenio Koll-della Torre di Valsassina
Place of Birth: Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
Date of Birth: 4 April 1992
Ethnicity:
* Austrian (father)
* Italian (mother)
Nathan Trent is an Austrian singer. He will represent Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.
Nathan’s father, Reinhard Koll, is a violinist, from Vienna. Nathan’s mother, Mizar della Torre di Valsassina, is Italian.
Nathan’s maternal grandparents are Chlotario della Torre di Valsassina and Addis Brizi.
Sources: http://www.schick-magazin.com
Obituary of Nathan’s maternal grandfather, Chlotario della Torre di Valsassina – http://necrologie.ilpiccolo.gelocal.it
Place of Birth: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Date of Birth: April 21, 1979
Ethnicity:
*Italian (father)
*English (mother)
Dominic Zamprogna is a Canadian actor and voice artist. He was born in Hamilton, Ontario, the son of choreographer Lou Zamprogna and dancer teacher Pauline Elizabeth. His sister Gema and twin sister Amanda are also actresses.
His father has Italian ancestry. His mother was originally from Cheshire, England.
Sources: http://www.hpl.ca
Obituary of Dominic’s mother, Pauline Elizabeth – http://obits.dignitymemorial.com
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Birth Name: Chloe Elizabeth Lukasiak
Place of Birth: Churchill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Date of Birth: May 25, 2001
Ethnicity: Polish, 1/8 Italian, other
Chloe Lukasiak is an American actress, dancer, television personality, and model. She was born in Churchill, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Marcus Anthony “Marc” Lukasiak and Christina Maria “Christi”(Zook). She has a sister, Clara.
Marcus’s surname is of Polish origin. Christina has partial Italian ancestry.
Chloe’s paternal grandparents were Mark D. Lukasiak and Kathryn/Katherine R.
Chloe’s maternal grandfather was James A. Zook. His parents were William C. Zook, Jr. (the son of William C. Zook) and Sarah Louise Veltri (the daughter of Leonard Veltri and Louise Tiano). Leonard was born in West Virginia to Italian parents, Frank Veltri and Sarah. Louise was also born in West Virginia, to Italian parents Louis Tiano and G. Isabella.
Chloe’s maternal grandmother was named Deborah.
Sources: https://www.newspapers.com
https://familysearch.org
Obituary of Chloe’s maternal great-grandmother, Sarah Louise (Veltri) Zook – http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net
Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: June 9, 1984
Ethnicity:
*Italian (father)
*Dutch, English, Irish, possibly other (mother)
Caroline D’Amore is an American actress, DJ, songwriter, and model. She was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Joseph “Joe” F. D’Amore, Jr. and Bonnie (Major). She has a sister, Christie.
Bonnie passed away when Caroline was six years old. Caroline and her sister were raised by their father.
Bonnie had English and Dutch ancestry (through the surname Bogert). Joseph is of Italian descent.
Caroline’s paternal grandparents were Joseph D’Amore, Sr. and Nicoletta Lanci.
Caroline’s maternal grandfather was Whetton Philip “Phil” Harry Major (the son of Philip J. Major and Jessie Flora Pringle). Whetton was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, to parents from Canada. Flora’s parents were James Pringle and Issabel McAuly/McAuley.
Caroline’s maternal grandmother was Althea Christie Bogert. Her parents were Herbert Bogert (the son of David Clark Bogert and Eva) and Ella Florence Updike (the daughter of James M. F. Updike and Ella Florence).
Caroline is married to musician Bobby Alt, a founding member of punk rock band Street Drum Corps.
Sources: Birth vertificate of Caroline D’Amore – https://familysearch.org
Obituary of Caroline’s paternal grandfather, Joseph D’Amore, Sr. – http://www.legacy.com
Obituary of Caroline’s maternal grandmother, Althea C. (Bogert) Major – http://westford.wickedlocal.com
https://www.wikitree.com
http://www.advocate.com
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Birth Name: Lisa Marie D’Amato
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: October 22, 1980
Ethnicity: Italian, Danish, possibly other
Lisa D’Amato is an American fashion model, recording artist, and television personality. She was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Denise Marie (Sorensen) and Peter “Pete” Paul D’Amato, III. She has a sister, Amy Lynn.
Her maternal grandparents are Edith Marie Sorensen and Eugene Sorensen-Baca. Edith was born in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Sources: https://familysearch.org
https://www.facebook.com
Photo by s_bukleyBigstock.com
Birth Name: Kelly Marie Monaco
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Date of Birth: May 23, 1976
Ethnicity: Italian
Kelly Monaco is an American actress. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Albert “Al” Michael Monaco and Carmina Angeline. She has four sisters: Christine, Marissa, Carmina, and Amber. They were raised Catholic.
Kelly’s parents have Italian ancestry.
Her paternal grandmother was Helen Monaco.
Her maternal grandmother was Beatrice A. Mervine.
Sources: http://www.poconorecord.com
http://www.metacritic.com
Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Brytni Melicia Sarpy
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: September 21, 1987
Ethnicity: Creole [African, French, Italian], Filipino, possibly Apache Native American and Cherokee Native American
Brytni Sarpy is an American actress. She was born in California, the daughter of Kim (Javier) and Melvin Jerome “Mel” Sarpy. She has a half-brother, Aiden.
Brytni has stated in an interview that she has Creole (including French, African, and Italian), Apache and Cherokee Native American, and Filipino, ancestry.
Brytni’s parents are pictured here.
Sources: http://swirlgirlarmy.com
https://soaphub.com
https://familysearch.org
Photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com
Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Birth: June 3, 1931
Ethnicity:
*Italian (father)
*Hungarian (mother)
Carmen Dell’Orefice is an American model and actress. She is sometimes credited as the longest working model in the industry.
Carmen was born in New York City, New York, the daughter of a ballerina from Hungary and a violonist from Italy.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk
Photo by Prphotos
Birth Name: Angélica Cristine Kvieczynski
Place of Birth: Toledo, Paraná, Brazil
Date of Birth: September 1, 1991
Ethnicity: Brazilian (Polish, German, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, possibly other)
Angélica Kvieczynski is a Brazilian individual rhythmic gymnast. She was born in Toledo, Paraná, the daughter of Ana Luiza (Erdman/Erdmann) and Dalito Kvieczynski. She has two sisters, Jéssica and Ana Beatriz.
Angélica has stated that her surname is of Polish origin and that she also has German, Russian, and Italian ancestry.
Two of Angélica’s maternal great-grandparents were Altair Taborda Lopes and Lúcia Manfron. The surnames “Taborda” and “Lopes” might indicate Portuguese ancestry.
Angélica is pictured with her mother, husband, and sister here.
Source: http://esporte.ig.com.br