Jon Cryer

Cryer in 2012, image via kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Jonathan Niven Cryer

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

Date of Birth: April 16, 1965

Ethnicity: English, German, Swiss-German, Dutch, Scottish, Swedish

Jon Cryer is an American actor, writer, director, and producer. His roles include the films No Small Affair, O.C. and Stiggs, Pretty in Pink, Morgan Stewart’s Coming Home, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, Dudes, Hiding Out, Hot Shots!, Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God… Be Back by Five, which he also co-wrote, Holy Man, Shorts, Stay Cool, Hit by Lightning, and Big Time Adolescence, and the shows Two and a Half Men and Supergirl/the Arrowverse, the latter as Lex Luthor.

He is the son of Gretchen Cryer (born Gretchen Kiger), a playwright, songwriter, singer, and actress, and David Cryer (Donald David Cryer), an actor and singer. Jon is married to entertainment reporter Lisa Joyner. He has a son with his former wife, British actress Sarah Trigger; and a daughter with Lisa.

An AncestryDNA test whose results were displayed on the show Who Do You Think You Are? (2018) stated that Jon’s genetic ancestry includes:

*46% Great Britain
*33% Scandinavia
*11% Ireland/Scotland/Wales

Jon’s paternal grandfather was The Rev. Donald Walter Cryer (the son of Walter Elmer Cryer and Alma Edna Lutzow). The Rev. Donald was born in Grundy County, Illinois, and was a Methodist minister. His parents were born in Morris, Grundy, Illinois. Jon’s great-grandfather Walter was the son of English emigrants, John Cryer, who was born in Lancashire, and Mary Ann Wren, who was born in Yorkshire. Alma was the daughter of George Lutzow, who was German, and of Johanna/Hannah/Hanna Olson/Oleson, who was Swedish.

Jon’s paternal grandmother was Pauline Spitler (the daughter of Daniel/Dan Bruce Spitler and Chloe/Cloe Delle Needles). Pauline was born in Ohio. Daniel was the son of Elza/Eli Spitler/Spitter and Martha Jane Ensminger. Chloe was the daughter of George William Needles and Sarah Vance Reed.

Jon’s maternal grandfather was Earl William Kiger, Jr. (the son of Earl William Kiger and Sadie Rosamond Machlin/Machlan). Jon’s grandfather Earl was born in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana. Jon’s great-grandfather Earl was the son of Harvey Kiger, whose father was Swiss, of Swiss-German descent; and of Jane/Jennie Doty. Sadie was the daughter of The Rev. John Machlan/Machlin and Josephine/Josie A. Askew/Eshew.

Jon’s maternal grandmother was Louise Geraldine Niven (the daughter of Hugh Niven and Hallie Dwighte McKern). Louise was born in Thorntown, Boone, Indiana. Hugh was the son of Richard Everett Niven and Ella/Etta C. Lowry. Hallie was the daughter of Wallace Oliver McKern and Aura M. Smith/Smythe.

Sources: Genealogy of Jon Cryer – https://famouskin.com

Genealogy of Jon’s father (focusing on his own mother’s side) – http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Jon’s paternal grandfather, Donald Walter Cryer, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Jon’s paternal grandmother, Pauline Spitler, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Genealogy of Jon Cryer (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Jon’s maternal grandfather, Earl William Kiger, Jr., on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Jon’s maternal grandmother, Louise Geraldine Niven, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org