Robert Tapert
Tapert in 2009, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Robert Gerard Tapert
Place of Birth: Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S.
Date of Birth: May 14, 1955
Ethnicity: German, Irish, English, possibly some Czech
Robert Tapert, also credited as Rob Tapert, is an American film and television producer, writer, and director.
Robert is the son of Patricia and Robert Tapert. Robert is married to New Zealand actress Lucy Lawless, with whom he has two children.
His father is of half German and half Irish descent.
Robert’s paternal grandfather was Julius Henry Tapert (the son of Charles H. Tapert and Emilia Velger). Julius was born in Michigan, to German parents
Robert’s paternal grandmother was Edna Marie McHugh (the daughter of Hugh Patrick McHugh and Mary Ellen Kennedy). Edna was born in Michigan. Hugh was the son of Michael McHugh, who was born in Michigan, to Irish parents; and of Caterine Kelly, who was born in County Sligo, Ireland. Robert’s great-great-grandmother Mary Ellen was the daughter of James J. Kennedy, from County Kilkenny, Ireland, and of Elizabeth H. Kennedy, who was born in Michigan, to Irish parents, from County Clare and County Kilkenny, respectively.
Robert’s maternal grandfather was named Edward C. Ospalek (the son of Albin/Albine Ospalek and Marcella/Mary). Edward was born in Connecticut, to a father from Germany, who possibly was of Czech ancestry, and a mother from New York, whose own parents were German.
Robert’s maternal grandmother was named Dorothy E. Catt (the daughter of Lawssen Catt and Mary Etta).
Sources: Robert’s father on the 1930 U.S. Census – http://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Robert’s father – http://www.ahppeters.com
Genealogy of Robert’s paternal great-grandparents, Hugh Patrick McHugh and Mary Ellen Kennedy – http://www.geni.com
Robert’s maternal grandfather, Edward C. Ospalek, on the 1910 U.S. Census – http://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Robert’s maternal grandmother, Dorothy E. (Catt) Ospalek – http://www.genlookups.com
I’m 100% certain Robert Tapert’s German born maternal grandfather (or whatever) was of Czech ancestry. The surname “Osaplek” is likely an Americanized/alternate spelling of “Ospalík”, a surname found in Czech Republic.
From the records and resources I’ve seen “Osaplek” is not found in Germany at all, in fact it’s only found in the English speaking world, particularly America, where I assume it could be an alternate form of “Ospalík”.