Troian Bellisario
Birth Name: Troian Avery Bellisario
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: October 28, 1985
Ethnicity:
*father – Italian, Serbian
*mother – African-American, Louisiana Creole [African, French, English]
Troian Bellisario is an American actress and singer. She is known for playing Spencer Hastings on the series Pretty Little Liars.
Her father, Donald Bellisario, is a television producer and screenwriter. Her mother, Deborah Pratt, is an actress, novelist, and television producer. Her half-brother is actor Michael Bellisario. Troian is married to Canadian actor Patrick J. Adams, with whom she has two children.
Troian’s father is of Italian and Serbian descent. Troian’s maternal grandparents were both African-American and/or Louisiana Creole (of African-American and European, including French and English, descent). About her name, “Troian,” she has said, “It’s a family name. It was a surname on my father’s maternal side. It means “woman of Troy.”” The surname “Troian” exists in North Italy.
Troian’s father is pictured here. Troian’s mother is pictured here.
Her step-siblings are actor Sean Murray and producer Chad W. Murray.
Troian’s paternal grandfather was Albert Jethro Bellisario (the son of Giuseppe/Guiseppe “Joseph” Bellisario and Maria Luigia Troian-Menegolla). Albert’s parents were Italian. Giuseppe was born in Gamberale, Province of Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy, the son of Antonio Bellisario and Domenica D’Angelo.
Troian’s paternal grandmother was Dana Lapčević (the daughter of Samuel Paul Lapčević and Anna J. Dobrich). Dana was born in Pennsylvania, to Serbian parents.
Troian’s maternal grandfather was Col. Bertram Roberson Pratt (the son of Richard Edward Pratt and Theresa Cecilia/Cecelia Coates/Coats). Bertram was born in Alabama. His family was from Mobile in that state. Bertram and his parents were both black. They are listed as either “Mulatto” (mixed race) or “Negro” (black) on U.S. Censuses.
Troian’s maternal grandmother was Geraldine Bryant (the daughter of Lincoln Joseph Bryant and Mabel Avery). Geraldine was born in Louisiana. Lincoln and Mabel were both black. Lincoln was born in Louisiana, to Aismene Joseph Bryant and Camille Dunn. Mabel was also born in Louisiana, the daughter of Lavina/Lavinia Goeffney, and, evidently, of a white man named John Leeds Avery. U.S. censuses list Lincoln and both of his parents as “Mulatto” (mixed race) or “Negro” (black), and Mabel as “Negro” (black).
Sources: Genealogies of Troian Bellisario – http://gw.geneanet.org
http://www.wikitree.com
https://www.geni.com
Obituaries of Troian’s paternal grandparents, Albert Jethro Bellisario and Dana (Lapčević) Bellisario – http://www.findagrave.com
Death record of Troian’s paternal great-grandfather, Giuseppe/Guiseppe “Joseph” Bellisario – https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com
Marriage announcement of Troian’s maternal grandparents, Col. Bertram Roberson Pratt and Geraldine Bryant – http://www.newspapers.com
Troian’s maternal grandfather, Col. Bertram Roberson Pratt, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Col. Bertram Roberson Pratt, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Obituary of Troian’s maternal grandfather, Col. Bertram Roberson Pratt – http://articles.chicagotribune.com
Troian’s maternal grandmother, Geraldine Bryant, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Troian’s maternal great-grandfather, Lincoln Joseph Bryant, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Lincoln Joseph Bryant on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
..would have NEVER guessed black. whoa. I thought she was full italian.
i’m italian and… she doesn’t look full italian at all. deal with it, her eastern features are really clear though i would have never guessed she has afroamerican blood in her. so cool!
She is Blactalian like Alicia Keyes.
Her mother is biracial
How do you know that her mom is biracial? With African Americans and Africans it is really hard to tell because sometimes there would be admixture that occurred many generations back but still maintained light skin…ie…Vanessa Williams, some African Yoruba, Xhosa, and Tuareg women or even Dr. Henry Louis Gates (whose paternal great grandfather was half “white”).
We know her mother is biracial because one of her mother’s parents was white and the other was black. Can’t remember which one was which.
Troian didn’t say her mother was half white she said her mother was black.
I believe regardless, that Troian Bellisario is a wonderfeul actress; can’t wait to see what the future has in store for her.
Her mother is a mixed black women who looks more white! Please clarify that!
Awesome she has african blood in her :)