Adrian Grenier
Grenier in 2010, Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com
Place of Birth: Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.
Date of Birth: July 10, 1976
Ethnicity:
*father – English, Irish, Scottish, German, remote French
*mother – Mexican [Spanish, Indigenous], as well as possibly 1/8th French
Adrian Grenier is an American actor, producer, director, musician, and envrionmentalist. He is known for his role as Vincent Chase on the series Entourage, and for appearing in the film The Devil Wears Prada.
Adrian’s father, John Miles Dunbar, from Ohio, has English, Irish, Scottish, German, and remote French, ancestry. Adrian’s mother, Karesse Grenier, was born in New Mexico, of approximately 7/8ths Mexican descent [Spanish and Indigenous Mexican]. Many of Adrian’s mother’s ancestors had lived in New Mexico for many generations, since before it became a state. Her other great-grandparent was possibly of French origin. Adrian was not raised around his Mexican/Latino heritage.
Adrian is married to Jordan Roemmele, with whom he has one child.
A DNA test whose results were displayed on the show Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (2012) stated that Adrian’s genetic ancestry is:
*91.56% European
*8.44% Native American
Adrian’s Native American ancestry likely comes from Indigenous Mexican roots. Adrian’s matrilineal line is Indigenous. Adrian previously incorrectly believed that he has Apache Native American ancestry.
Adrian’s paternal grandfather was Carl Sanford Dunbar (the son of John I. Dunbar and Lydia Martha Phelps). Carl was born in Ohio. John was the son of George Wesley Dunbar and Mary Elizabeth Sanford. Lydia was the daughter of Theodore Austin Phelps and Mary Ellen McCarty.
Adrian’s paternal grandmother was Esther R. Messenger (the daughter of Miles Claude Messenger and Geneva/Genevra Rice). Esther was born in Ohio. Miles was the son of Riverius Messenger and Catherine Warrington. Geneva was the daughter of George M. Rice and Louisa Schlecht.
Adrian’s maternal grandfather was Junio López (the son of Elauterio López and Josefina/Josephita Ester Blea). Junio was born in Colorado. Josefina was the daughter of Norberto Blea and Maria Cesaria Barceló.
Adrian’s maternal grandmother was Priscilla/Pricilla Grenier (originally Greenier, the daughter of Robert Emmit Greenier and Lucaria Ortiz). Prsicilla was born in New Mexico. Robert was the son of Frederick William Grenier, who was almost certainly not Hispanic (he may have had French ancestry), and of Isabel Marcial. Lucaria was the daughter of Rufino Ortiz and Sarita/Sara Maria Gonzales y Ramirez.
Sources: Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (2012) – http://www.pbs.org
Genealogy of Adrian Grenier – http://www.geni.com
Genealogy of Adrian Grenier (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.wikitree.com
Adrian’s paternal grandfather, Carl Sanford Dunbar, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Adrian’s paternal grandfather, Carl Sanford Dunbar – http://www.findagrave.com
Adrian’s maternal grandmother, Priscilla/Pricilla Greenier/Grenier, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
I believe it is FRENCH, and the reason is my aunt was with Al Genier for 40+years, and he could even be a family member for all I know. Im from a french family, (French-Canadian) and he was real french speaking, (Montreal-Quebec)and into singing and music. I came on this site to see if I could find that out. I know Mr. Genier had children, Adrian could be a grandson, maybe even great-grandson. I might of met them a few times, lived in LA off Wilshire. My Aunt died on my BD unfortunately, Antonette, they never married due to the Catholic issues about Divorce. They also never had any children of there own. My aunt had one daughter Theresa, who lived and died in Oregon. I would be very proud if he was part of my big french family. Bless him, and I wish him the very best life has to offer. And Im still looking to see what I can find out.
Adrian is also of Irish heritage on his father’s side. His father’s name was Dunbar. IMDb state this. I’ve also read it on numerous other sources.
I heard his European ancestry is Irish and French.
Hey MC, I going to list French due to his surname.
what about his european ancestry?grenier sounds french but probably he has also other origins..
He looks creole.