Birth Name: Michael Thomas Conforto

Place of Birth: Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Date of Birth: March 1, 1993

Ethnicity:
*Italian (father)
*Spanish, Native Hawaiian (mother)

Michael Conforto is an American professional baseball outfielder for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Michael is the son of Michael Anthony Conforto and Tracie (Ruiz) Conforto. Tracie is a famous former olympic medalist in synchronized swimming.

On his mother’s side, Michael is the grandson of Carlos Emmanuel Ruiz and Shirley Obatay.

Sources: Obituary of Michael’s maternal grandfather, Carlos Emmanuel Ruiz – https://www.findagrave.com

http://www.nj.com

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Birth Name: Frederic Alan Schepisi

Place of Birth: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Date of Birth: December 26, 1939

Ethnicity: Italian/Sicilian (paternal grandfather), Irish

Fred Schepisi is an Australian film director, film producer, and screenwriter.

Fred is the son of Loretto Ellen (Hare) and Frederic Thomas Schepisi.

Fred’s paternal grandparents were Giuseppi/Giuseppe Schepisi and Catherine Mary Bennett (the daughter of Thomas Michael Bennett and Maria Crowley). Giuseppe was originally from Salina, Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy. Thomas and Maria were from County Cork, Ireland.

Fred’s maternal grandparents were Matthew James Hare and Catherine Mary Quinlan.

Sources: http://www.ancientfaces.com
https://www.myheritage.com.br

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Birth Name: Brook M. Busey

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

Date of Birth: June 14, 1978

Ethnicity:

*English, German [including Alsatian German] (father)

*Italian (mother)

Diablo Cody is an American screenwriter, producer, author, journalist, memoirist, stripper and exotic dancer.

Diablo is the daughter of Pamela “Pam” Mary and Gregory “Greg” F. Busey. Her father has English and German (including Alsatian) ancestry. Her mother is said to have Italian ancestry.

Her paternal grandfather was Clinton M. Busey. His parents were  Mary Ann Foster and Clinton Matthew Busey (the son of Clinton John Simpson Busey and Carolina Maria Snyder). John’s parents were Matthew Wales Busey (the son of Samuel Busey and Catherine Seigler) and Elizabeth Bush (the daughter of Josh Bush and Mary Phillips). Mary Phillips was born in Pennsylvania, to a mother from Alsace, France, and a father from Germany.

Her paternal grandmother was Vera A. Sanderson. Her parents were Walter Sanderson (the son of Frederick Sanderson and Celestia Horton) and Emily Lucretia Gregory (the daughter of Knudt Gregory and Amy Lurinda Bliss).

Sources: Diablo’s paternal grandfather, Clinton M. Busey, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSYT-ZS7

Genealogy of Diablo’s father, Gregory “Greg” F. Busey – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/

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Birth Name: Cynthia Michele Watros

Place of Birth: Lake Orion, Michigan, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 2, 1968

Ethnicity: Polish (paternal grandmother), Italian (maternal grandfather), English, possibly other

Cynthia Watros is an American actress.

Cynthia is the daughter of Nancy Rose-Marie (Salvador) and Bruce Wayne Watros.

Cynthia’s paternal grandfather was George Alfred Watros/Watrous (the son of Frederick “Fred” Delray Watros/Watrous and Mary Alina/Albina Williams). Frederick was the son of Clinton Delray Watrous and Hattie Ann Nelson. Mary Alina/Albina was the daughter of John Dow Williams and Laura Adaline/Addaline Thomas.

Cynthia’s paternal grandmother was Florence Clare Kaszubowski (the daughter of Joseph Kaszubowski and Martha Viola Hayka/Heyka). Joseph was the son of Thomas Kaszubowski and Theresa Gierszewski. Martha was the daughter of Jakub Hejka and Rozalia Gardzilewski; Jakub was the son of J. Hejka and Jadwiga Kinkrewier.

Cynthia’s great-great-grandparents Thomas, Theresa, Jakub, and Rozalia were all born in either Germany or Poland, and had Polish background.

Cynthia’s maternal grandfather was Henry J. Salvador (the son of Guiseppe/Giuseppe “Joseph” Salvador and Roselina Maria “Rosa” Martinelli). Henry was born in Michigan, to parents from Valfurva, Province of Sondrio, Lombardy, Italy.

Cynthia’s maternal grandmother was Dorothy Margelia/Marzella/Marcella Mullens or Wimbrow (the daughter of Fannie). Fannie was born in Indiana and married Harry W. Wimbrow. Fannie’s daughter, sometimes registered as “Margelia Mullens” or “Marcella Wimbrow”, was likely Harry’s stepdaughter.

Sources: Genealogy and obituary of Cynthia’s father, Bruce Wayne Watros (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://findagrave.com

Genealogy of Cynthia’s paternal grandfather, George Alfred Watros/Watrous – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Cynthia’s paternal great-grandparents, Frederick “Fred” Delray Watros/Watrous and Mary Alina/Albina Williams, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Cynthia’s maternal grandfather, Henry J. Salvador, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Cynthia’s maternal grandfather, Henry J. Salvador – http://www.genealogybuff.com

Obituary of Cynthia’s maternal grandmother, Dorothy Margelia/Marzella (Wimbrow) Salvador – http://www.mideathnotices.com

http://www.filmreference.com

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Birth Name: Darnell R. Martin

Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: January 7, 1964

Ethnicity:

*African-American (father)

*Irish, Italian, possibly other (mother)

Darnell Martin is an American film director, screenwriter, and film producer.

Darnell is the daughter of Marilyn and Lewis Emmet Lowry Martin. Darnell has two sisters, Lowry and Kim.

Darnell’s mother is white, and is said to have Irish and Italian ancestry. Darnell’s father is African American.

Darnell’s paternal grandparents were Lewis Marshal Martin and Rose Alice Lowry.

Sources: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/

https://www.pressreader.com/

Little Known Black History Fact: Darnell Martin

https://bradyenterpriseassociation.com/lewis_emmet_martin.htm

Place of Birth: New York (likely)

Date of Birth: c. 2002/2003

Ethnicity: Italian

Thomas Barbusca is an American actor. His surname is pronounced bar-boos-ka. He has said (at 0:55 here):

…I’m Italian. Everybody thinks I’m Irish [because of his red hair color], but I’m 100% Italian, and nobody believes me… [My hair is] like Sicilian red hair… It’s like an auburn… Sicilian auburn, and nobody gets it.

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Birth Name: Daniel John Caruso, Jr.

Place of Birth: Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S.

Date of Birth: January 17, 1965

Ethnicity: Italian

D. J. Caruso is an American film director and producer.

D. J. is the son of Lorraine (Zullo) and Daniel John Caruso, Sr. Both of D. J.’s parents have Italian ancestry.

D. J.’s maternal grandfather was Fred/Ferdinand Zullo, Sr. (the son of Lorenzo/Laranzo Zullo and Constantina/Marry Marro). Lorenzo and Constantina were born in Italy.

D. J.’s maternal grandmother was Maria Mezzo (the daughter of Salvatore Mezzo and Rosaria/Rose Pacifico). Salvatore and Mezzo were born in Italy.

Sources: Obituary of D. J.’s maternal grandfather, Fred/Ferdinand Zullo, Sr. – http://www.legacy.com

D. J.’s maternal great-grandparents, Lorenzo/Laranzo Zullo and Constantina/Marry Marro, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of D. J.’s maternal grandmother, Maria (Mezzo) Zullo – http://www.legacy.com

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Birth Name: Michael Joseph Kelly

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

Date of Birth: May 22, 1968

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

Michael Kelly is an American actor.

Michael is the son of Maureen and Michael Kelly. He has a brother, Andrew, and two sisters, Shannon and Casey. They were raised in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Michael has stated that his father is 100% Irish and that his mother is 100% Italian.

Michael’s paternal grandfather was originally from County Donegal, Ireland.

Source: https://www.goss.ie

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Birth Name: Jason Deneen Beghe

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

Date of Birth: March 12, 1960

Ethnicity: Italian (paternal grandfather), German, English, 1/16th French-Canadian

Jason Beghe is an American film and television actor.

Jason is the son of Bina Loulie (House) and Renato William Beghe.

Jason’s father, a Judge of the U.S. Tax Court, was of half-Italian descent, along with German and English, ancestry. Jason’s mother had English and French-Canadian roots.

Jason’s paternal grandfather was Bruno Beghe. Bruno was a painter, sculptor, and violonist originally born in Italy. His surname was possibly originally spelt “Beghè”.

Jason’s paternal grandmother was Emmavve/Emmaive Frymire. Her parents were William B. Frymire (the son of Benton J. Freymier and Emma Bell) and Laura Jane Cooper (the daughter of Ezra Alonzo Cooper and Vanda Jane Harriman). Benton’s mother, Rose Ann Miller, was originally from Germany.

Jason’s maternal grandfather was Thomas William House, IV. His parents were Thomas William House, III (the son of Thomas W. House, II, and Ruth Nicholson) and Bessie Forbes (the daughter of Thomas Forbes and Lila Hughes). Thomas William, II, was born in Texas to parents from Somerset, England.

Jason’s maternal grandmother was Bina Day Deneen. Her parents were Charles Samuel Deneen (the son of Samuel Hedding Deneen and Mary Frances Ashley) and Bina Day Maloney (the daughter of James Smith Maloney and Frances Viola Bashaw). Frances Viola’s parents were Peter Bashaw (the son of Jean Baptiste Bachand and Marie Françoise Meunier Lapierre) and Mary Elizabeth Ashby (the daughter of Jean Baptiste Ashby and Catherine Vegiard).

Jason’s great-grandfather Charles Samuel was the 23rd Governor of Illinois, and was the first to serve two consecutive terms, from 1905 to 1913. Jason’s great-great-grandmother Frances Viola was born in Marieville, Québec, Canada, of French-Canadian descent.

Sources: Obituary of Jason’s father, Renato William Beghe – http://www.legacy.com

Genealogy of Jason’s paternal grandmother, Emmavve/Emmaive Frymire – https://www.ancestry.com

Genealogy of Jason’s maternal grandfather, Thomas William House, IV – https://www.findagrave.com

Genealogy of Jason’s maternal grandmother, Bina Day Deneen – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com

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Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: March 1, 1974

Ethnicity: Italian

Cara Buono is an American actress, screenwriter, and director.

Cara is the daughter of Rosemary and Anthony Buono.

She has stated:

“I grew up in the Bronx. Both of my parents are Italian. I attended Columbia University”.

Source: http://www.vogue.it/en/people-are-talking-about/focus-on/2010/10/cara-buono

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Birth Name: Emma Martina Luigia Morano

Date of Birth: 29 November 1899

Place of Birth: Civiasco, Vercelli, Italy

Date of Death: 15 April 2017

Place of Death: Verbania, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Italy

Ethnicity: Italian

Emma Morano was an Italian supercentenarian, who was the living person to have been verified as being born in the 1800s.

She was the daughter of Giovanni Morano and Matilde Bresciani. She was married to Giovanni Martinuzzi.

Birth Name: Dominic M. Fumusa

Place of Birth: McFarland, Wisconsin, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 13, 1969

Ethnicity: Italian/Sicilian, possibly other

Dominic Fumusa is an American stage and television actor, and voice over artist.

Dominic is the son of Clara E. and Peter M. Fumusa. He has nine siblings. Dominic is married to actress Ilana Levine and converted to Judaism upon their marriage.

Dominic’s paternal grandfather was Giuseppe/Joseph Fumusa (the son of Peter Fumusa and Catherine Belfiore/Bellafiore). Joseph was born in Sicily, Italy, and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Dominic’s paternal grandmother was Josephine Sancetta (the daughter of Sam Sancetta and Molle). Josephine had Italian ancestry.

Sources: http://archive.boston.com/

Marriage of Dominic’s paternal grandparents, Giuseppe/Joseph Fumusa and Josephine Sancetta – www.familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Cheryl Ann Oteri

Place of Birth: Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 19, 1962

Ethnicity:
*Italian (father)
*publicly unknown (mother)

Cheri Oteri is an American actress.

Cheri is the daughter of Gaetano Thomas Oteri. Her siblings are Denise, Brian, and Tommy, Jr.

Cheri’s paternal grandfather was Nuncie/Nunzie/Nunzi Oteri (the son of Gaetano Oteri and Amelia). Nuncie was born in Pennsylvania, to parents from Italy.

Cheri’s paternal grandmother was Clara Maria Silvestri (the daughter of Michael Silvestri and Rubina/Rubine). Clara was born in Delaware, to parents from Italy.

Sources: Genealogy of Cheri Oteri (focusing on her father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

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Birth Name: Benjamin Thomas Zobrist

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

Date of Birth: May 26, 1981

Ethnicity: English, German, 1/8 Italian/Sicilian, possibly other

Ben Zobrist is an American professional baseball player. He is a second baseman and outfielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Ben is the son of Cynthia (Cali) and Thomas A. Zobrist. He is married to Julianna Zobrist, a Christian musician, who plays a Christian pop style of electronic dance music.

Ben’s maternal grandparents are Andrew Cali III (the son of Andrew Cali II and Dorothy White) and Dorothea “Dot” Marshall. Ben’s great-grandfather Andrew was the son of Andrea Cali and Antonina Canale, who were both Sicilian.

Sources: http://www.pantagraph.com

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Birth Name: Hélène Aurore Alice Rizzo

Place of Birth: Six-Fours-les-Plages, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France

Date of Birth: 26 February, 1971

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

Hélène Segara is a French singer who came to prominence playing the role Esmeralda in the French musical Notre-Dame de Paris. Thanks to her duet with the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, she has achieved success since 1996, surpassing 10 million records sold.

Helène Segara is the daughter of Bernard Rizzo and Thérèse Kasbarian. Hélène’s father is a French from an Italian family whose roots are from Liguria and Piemonte. Hélène’s mother is of Armenian descent whose ancestors were from Georgia and East Turkey.

Hélène’s paternal grandfather was Augustin Marius Rizzo (the son of Jean Rizzo and Bernadine Angèle Marenco). Jean was the son of Barthélémy Rizzo and Louise Maria Antonia Damiano, both native of Dego, Liguria, Italia. Bernadine Angèle was the daughter of Pierre François Marie Marenco and Marie Zunino, both born in Sassello, Liguria, Italia.

Hélène’s paternal grandmother was Augusta Joséphine Tappa (the daughter of Laurent Tappa and Maria Madeleine Giuseppina Tassistro). Laurent was born in Spigno Montferrato, Piemonte, Italia to Giovanni Tappa and Ferdinenda Viazzo. Maria Madeleine Giuseppina was born in Pareto, Piemonte, Italia to Dominique Tassistro and Rosa Parodi.

Hélène’s maternal grandfather was Zarzan Kasbarian. Zarzan was an Armenian born in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Hélène’s maternal grandmother was Marie-Andrée Dagarian (the daughter of Pienamine Dagarian and Satenik Avedissian). Pienamine was the son of Beghos Dagarian and Mariam Bedrossian. Marie-Andrée’s parents were Armenian born in Mush/Muş, Turkey. However, Mariam Bedrossian was native of Kars, Turkey.

Birth Name: Lino Schmidek Machado Facioli

Place of Birth: Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

Date of Birth: July 29, 2000

Ethnicity: Brazilian (Austrian, Italian, Portuguese, German, possibly other)

Lino Facioli is a Brazilian actor. He is most known for his role as Robyn Arryn in HBO series Game of Thrones.

Lino is the son of Claudia Schmidek and Cako Facioli. The family moved to London, England, U.K., when Lino was five years old.

Lino’s mother has stated on Twitter that she has German and Austrian ancestry. Lino’s father has Italian roots. The surname “Machado” is of Portuguese origin.

Lino’s maternal grandfather is Werner Robert Schmidek. Werner was born in Vienna, Austria, the son of Anna and Anton Schmidek (the son of Anton Schmidek and Ernestine)

Lino is pictured with his parents here.

Sources: http://www.primeirahora.com.br (in Portuguese)
https://twitter.com

Immigration record of Lino’s maternal grandfather, Werner Robert Schmidek – https://familysearch.org

Birth Name: Danielle Nicole Bisutti

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Date of Birth: October 1, 1976

Ethnicity: Italian

Danielle Bisutti is an American actress and singer.

Danielle is the daughter of Diane M. (Ferrare) and Richard Jude Bisutti. Danielle’s aunt (mother’s sister) is model Cristina Ferrare. One of Danielle’s great-aunts (paternal grandmother’s sister) is actress Helen Grayco.

Both Danielle’s parents have Italian ancestry.

Danielle’s paternal grandfather was Mario J. Bisutti (the son of Frank Bisutti and Rosa/Rose Renald/Renaldi).

Danielle’s paternal grandmother was Catherine J. Greco (the daughter of Battista C. Greco and Rosina Cranflone/Cianflone). Battista and Rosina were born in Italy, with origins in Lamezia Terme, Calabria.

Danielle’s maternal grandparents were Renata Torinesi and Ottavio “Tavio” Carmen Ferrare.

Sources: Birth Certificate of Danielle’s father, Richard J. Bisutti – http://www.familysearch.org

Marriage record of Danielle’s parents, Diane M. Ferrare and Richard J. Bisutti – http://www.familysearch.org

Danielle’s paternal great-grandparents, Battista C. Greco and Rosina Cranflone/Ciaflone, on the 1940 U.S. Census – http://www.familysearch.org

Helen Grayco

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Birth Name: Gregory Gene Berlanti

Place of Birth: Rye, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: May 24, 1972

Ethnicity:
*Italian (father)
*English, Irish, German (mother)

Greg Berlanti is an American film and television writer, producer, and director.

Greg is the son of Barbara (Moller) and Eugene “Gene” L. Berlanti. Greg has a sister, Dina.

Greg’s father is of Italian descent. Greg’s mother has Irish, English, and other, ancestry.

Greg’s paternal grandfather was Eugene “Gene” Berlanti.

Greg’s paternal grandmother was Helen Del Grande (the daughter of Louis Del Grande and Candida). Helen was born in Pennsylvania, to parents from Italy.

Greg’s maternal grandfather was John William Moller.

Greg’s maternal grandmother was Bertha “Betty” Elizabeth Parker (the daughter of Charles Parker and Agnes). Charles was the son of John Parker and Ida Rollberg; Ida was born in New York, to parents from Germany, Henry Rollberg and Johanna/Annie. Greg’s great-grandmother Agnes was born in New York, to parents from Ireland.

Sources: Obituary of Greg’s paternal grandmother, Helen (Del Grande) Berlanti – http://www.legacy.com

Greg’s maternal grandmother, Bertha “Betty” Elizabeth Parker, on the 1930 U.S. Census – http://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Greg’s maternal grandmother, Bertha “Betty” Elizabeth (Parker) Moller – http://www.legacy.com

Greg’s maternal great-great-great-grandparents, Henry Rollberg and Johanna/Annie, on the 1880 U.S. Census – http://www.familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Jonathan Frederick Togo

Place of Birth: Rockland, Massachusetts, U.S.

Date of Birth: August 25, 1977

Ethnicity:

*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)

*Italian, Irish, possibly English (mother)

Jonathan Togo is an American actor.

Jonathan is the son of Sheila (Webster) and Michael “Mike” D. Togo. They are pictured here.

Jonathan’s father is Jewish; his surname was possibly originally spelt “Tonkaview”. Jonathan’s mother is said to have Irish and Italian ancestry; her surname is usually of English origin.

Jonathan’s paternal grandfather was Morris/Maurice Togo (the son of Edward J. Togo and Sarah Shoobe). Morris was born in Russia, to parents from Russia.

Jonathan’s paternal grandmother was Sylvia Glaser/Glacer (the daughter of Hyman Glaser/Glacer and Frieda Kourlansky/Kurlansky). Sylvia was born in Massachusetts, to parents from Russia.

Sources: Jonathan’s paternal grandfather, Morris/Maurice Togo, on the 1940 U.S. Census – http://www.familysearch.org

Jonathan’s paternal grandmother, Sylvia Glaser/Glacer, on the 1930 U.S. Census – http://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Jonathan’s paternal grandmother, Sylvia (Glaser) Bourne – http://www.legacy.com

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

Ethnicity: French, Italian, Spanish, Lebanese

Murielle Telio is an American actress.

Murielle is the daughter of Janine (Sitbon) and Ike Telio. Murielle was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Sources: http://murielletelio.com (Official Website)

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