Matthew Broderick

Broderick in 2010, Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

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

Date of Birth: March 21, 1962

Ethnicity:
*father – Irish, one quarter English
*mother – Ashkenazi Jewish

Matthew Broderick is an American actor and singer. He is known for his roles in the films Max Dugan Returns, WarGames, Ladyhawke, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Project X, Biloxi Blues, Glory, The Freshman, The Lion King (1994), The Cable Guy, Infinity, which he also directed, Godzilla, Election, Inspector Gadget, You Can Count on Me, The Producers (2005), Tower Heist, Manchester by the Sea, and Wonder Park, along with many works on stage.

Matthew is the son of Patricia (Biow), a playwright and painter, and James Broderick (James Joseph Broderick III), a stage and screen actor, who starred in the 1970s drama series Family. His father was born in Charlestown, New Hampshire, of three quarters Irish and one quarter English descent. His mother was of German Jewish and Polish Jewish descent. Matthew has stated that he was not brought up in a religious home, but considers himself Jewish. He also regularly visits Ireland and owns a house near the ocean there.

Matthew is married to actress Sarah Jessica Parker, with whom he has three children.

Matthew’s maternal aunt was Chinese-American novelist and translator Adet Lin, married to his uncle Richard Biow.

Matthew’s paternal grandfather was James Joseph Broderick (the son of James Joseph Broderick and Ellen Maria Shanley). Matthew’s grandfather James was born in Massachusetts, to Irish parents. Ellen was the daughter of Michael Shanley and Ellen Gilmore.

Matthew’s paternal grandmother was Mary Elizabeth “May” Martindale (the daughter of William H. Martindale and Mary Ellen Jane Hickey). Matthew’s grandmother Mary Elizabeth was born in New York. William was of English descent, the son of Robert Martindale and Charlotte Proctor. Matthew’s great-grandmother Mary Ellen was Irish.

Matthew’s maternal grandfather was Milton Harry Biow (the son of Harry Louis Biow and Lena Deckinger). Milton was born in New York, and was an advertising executive, who founded the Biow Company. Harry was born in New York, the son of German Jewish parents, Gabriel Louis Biow and Marianna Neiderthal, whose families had roots in Neukyhna and Lissa, respectively. Lena was born in New York, the daughter of German Jewish parents, Moses Deckinger, whose family was from Dinkelsbühl and Thalmässing, and Julia Taubert/Tanbert.

Matthew’s maternal grandmother was Sofie/Sophia/Sophie Taub (the daughter of Max Taub and Millie Schneider). Sofie was born in New York, to Polish Jewish parents.

Sources: Genealogy of Matthew Broderick – https://www.geni.com

Genealogy of Matthew Broderick (focusing on his father’s side) – http://www.wikitree.com

Matthew’s father on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Matthew’s paternal grandfather, James Joseph Broderick, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Genealogy of Matthew’s father (focusing on his own mother’s side) – https://www.findagrave.com

Matthew’s maternal grandfather, Milton Harry Biow, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Matthew’s maternal grandmother, Sofie/Sophia/Sophie Taub, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org