Chris Hardwick

Hardwick in 2016, photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Christopher Ryan Hardwick

Place of Birth: Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, United States

Date of Birth: November 23, 1971

Ethnicity: Italian (maternal grandfather), English, small amounts of Scots-Irish/Northern Irish and German, distant Irish and French Huguenot, 3/256ths Cherokee Native American

Chris Hardwick is an American comedian, actor, voice artist, musician, writer, television host, producer, and podcaster. He hosted the late night Internet-based game show @midnight with Chris Hardwick on Comedy Central.

Chris is the son of Sharon Lee Hills (Facente) and Billy Hardwick (born William Bruce Hardwick), a professional bowler. He is married to actress and model Lydia Hearst.

Chris’ father is of mostly English descent, with more distant Scots-Irish (Northern Irish) and German roots. One of Chris’ ancestors on his father’s side was Rebecca Narcises, who was a Cherokee Native American. Rebecca was born in 1740 in Brunswick, Virginia, and married Chris’ ancestor Lanier Brewer, who was of English ancestry. Chris is descended from Rebecca twice, from both his patrilineal great-grandparents.

Chris’ paternal grandfather was Hubert Allen Hardwick (the son of Rufus Allison Hardwick and Lizzetta/Lizzette Mae/May McCrory). Hubert was born in Tennessee. Rufus was the son of James L. Hardwick and Theodocia Z. Bennett. Lizzetta was the daughter of Cornelius Hugh McCrory and Mary Malvina Hollis.

Chris’ paternal grandmother was Mary McCaleb (the daughter of Melvin Bryan McCaleb and Ada Bell Tice). Melvin was the son of James Philemon Polk McCaleb and Virginia Bryan Hughes.

Chris’ maternal grandfather was Emilio/Emil James “Jim” Facente (the son of Alfonso/Alphonse Facente and Maria Dominica Lombardi Introcaso). Emilio was born in New Jersey, to Italian parents, from Montegiordano, Province of Cosenza, Calabria, Italy.

Chris’ maternal grandmother was Antoinette Tommie Smith (the daughter of Thomas Alfred Smith and Aurelia Whitfield Chastain). Antoinette was born in Georgia. Aurelia was the daughter of Oscar Dennis Chastain and Mary Josephine “Mollie” McDuffie. Aurelia descended from The Rev. John Chastain, who was of half French Huguenot descent.

Chris descends from Dr. Pierre Chastain, born c. 1659, in Chârost, Cher, Centre-Val de Loire, a French Huguenot immigrant who is the ancestor of likely millions of Americans, including professional football player Terry Bradshaw and actresses Joan Crawford and Jessica Chastain, among others.

Sources: Genealogy of Chris’ paternal great-great-great-grandmother, Nancy Emily Brewer (through Nancy’s brother, Richard McMillan Johnson Brewer) – https://www.geni.com

Marriage record of Chris’ maternal grandparents, Emilio/Emil James “Jim” Facente and Antoinette Tommie Smith – https://familysearch.org

Information about Chris’ maternal grandfather, Emilio/Emil James “Jim” Facente – http://nerdist.com

Chris’ maternal grandfather, Emilio/Emil James “Jim” Facente, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Immigration record of Chris’ maternal great-grandfather, Alfonso/Alphonse Facente – https://familysearch.org

Immigration record of Chris’ maternal great-grandmother, Maria Dominica Lombardi Introcaso – https://familysearch.org