Brian Yuzna

Birth Name: Brian James Yuzna

Place of Birth: Manila, Philippines

Date of Birth: August 30, 1949

Ethnicity:
*50% Slovenian
*25% Finland-Swedish
*25% Italian

Brian Yuzna is an American producer, director, and writer. He is known for his cult classic horror films. He has directed Society, Bride of Re-Animator, Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation, Return of the Living Dead 3, a segment of H. P. Lovecraft’s Necronomicon: Book of the Dead, The Dentist, Progeny (1998), The Dentist 2, Faust: Love of the Damned (2000), Beyond Re-Animator, Rottweiler, Beneath Still Waters, Amphibious, which he also co-wrote; and parts of 60 Seconds of Solitude in Year Zero. He also co-wrote the film Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker.

Brian was born in Manila, to American parents, from Minnesota. His father was of Slovenian descent and his mother was of Finland-Swedish and Italian ancestry. He was also raised partly in Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, and Panama, before moving back to the U.S., and living in Atlanta, Georgia.

He is married to Cathy Yuzna. He has five children, four of them with Cathy, including actor Conan Yuzna and artist, filmmaker, comedian, rapper, and skateboarder Logan Yuzna.

Brian’s paternal grandfather was Jakob/Jakov “Jack” Juzina/Yuzna/Južna (the son of Marko Južna and Katarina Klepec). Jakob was born in Metlika, Crnomelj Parish, Slovenia. Marko was the son of Marko Južna and Katarina Jaklevič. Brian’s great-grandmother Katarina was the daughter of Georgius Klepec and Maria Tomc.

Brian’s paternal grandmother was Margaret Barbara Bothe/Bohte (the daughter of Jacob Bohte and Agnes Majerle). Margaret was born in Crnomelj Parish, Slovenia. Jacob was the son of Mathias Bothe and Anna Strucel. Agnes was the daughter of Mathias Majerle and Margaretha Saitz.

Brian’s maternal grandfather was Fritjof Isador “Fritz” Lindbeck (the son of Johannes Andersson “John” Lindbeck and Johannah/Johanna Mattsdottir/Mattsdotter Sunabacka). Fritz was born in Minnesota, to Finland-Swedish parents, from Kruunupyy, Vaasa. Johannes was the son of Anders Jakobsson Lindbeck and Brita Johansdotter Lybeck. Johannah was the daughter of Mathias Sunabacka and Maria Mattsdotter Hanhikoski.

Brian’s maternal grandmother was Elaine Marie Peyla (the daughter of Stefano “Steve” Peyla and Angela Maria “Angelina”/Angeline Gaspardo). Elaine was born in Minnesota, to Italian parents, from San Giorgio Canavese and Pont Canavese, respectively, both in Turin, Piedmont. Stefano was the son of Giacomo Peila and Dominica Demateis. Angela was the daughter of Giuseppe Giovanni Battisto/Battista Gaspardo and Johanna/Maria Giovanna Franestti/Francesetti.

Source: Genealogies and obituaries of Brian’s parents – https://www.findagrave.com

7 Responses

  1. andrew says:

    Elaine Marie Peyla’s parents were from San Giorgio Canavese and Pont Canavese, respectively, both in Turin, Piedmont.

    https://www.familysearch.org/tree/pedigree/landscape/L5NL-Q3D

    Chris Massoglia and Tom Morello have roots in Canavese valley, among others: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canavese

  2. Oaken05 says:

    What do you mean by “Findland-Sweden”? I’ve never heard that construction. Are you talking about Sweden/Swedish Finns or Findland Swedes/Swedish-speaking Finns?

    • follers says:

      No one really knows who (or what) they are. They’re mysterious, and they get a little ornery and start growling when you try and touch them or take a picture.

      Madman introduced me to the concept, so he can probably explain better than I can.

    • Oaken05 says:

      Okay, I see you’re talking about the Swedish-speaking Finns. Just had never heard the term “Finland-Swedish” before.

    • madman says:

      Finland-Swedes are ethnic Swedes from Finland, who have lived there for generations. I just started using the literal translation of the Swedish term. “Swedish-speaking Finns” sounds a little misleading since there are many ethnically Finnish people who speak Swedish without identifying as such.

      • follers says:

        But why do they start growling when you touch them, try to take a picture, or even just pet them softly around the ears? I think that’s what me and oaken were really trying to ask. Do they like any special treats?

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