Adam Arkin

Arkin at the Los Angeles premiere of “Rendition.” Academy of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences, Beverly Hills, CA. 10-10-07 s_bukley/Bigstock.com

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

Date of Birth: August 19, 1956

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Adam Arkin is an American actor and director. He is known for starring as Aaron Shutt on the series Chicago Hope, and for his roles in the films Full Moon High, The Doctor, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, Lake Placid, Hitch, Kids in America, and Pig, and on the series Northern Exposure, Monk, 8 Simple Rules, and Sons of Anarchy. He has directed the children’s special My Louisiana Sky, as well as episodes of the series Justified, Fargo, Get Shorty, The Offer, and The Night Agent.

He is the son of mother Jeremy Yaffe and father, actor, director, comedian, singer, and musician Alan Arkin. His brother is actor, acting instructor, and author Matthew Arkin and his half-brother is actor Anthony Arkin. He is the nephew of bass musician Bobby Arkin and author Bonnie Cordova. His paternal great-uncle was psychiatrist and professor Joseph Wortis, who long edited the scientific journal Biological Psychiatry, and his first cousin, once removed, Joseph’s son, is young adult and children’s literature author Avi.

Adam is married to Michelle Dunker. He has one child with his former wife Linda; and one child with his former wife Phyllis.

Adam’s paternal grandfather was David I. Arkin, a teacher, painter, lyricist, writer, and set designer (the son of Arthur Eleazar/Lazar Arkin and Fannie/Freeda/Fanny Krinski/Krimski/Krinsky). David was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents. Arthur was born in Wasalishki, the son of Louis/Lobe Elias Arkin and Ida Silberberg. Fannie was born in Walkevisk, the daughter of Shaia/Isiah Krinsky and Leah Sher.

Adam’s paternal grandmother was Beatrice (Wortis), a teacher (the daughter of Harry Wortis and Selina/Selena Brunswick). Beatrice was born in New York, to a Russian Jewish father and a Jewish mother from Alsace-Lorraine. Harry was the son of Zev Wolf Wortis and Rosa Weintrop. Selina was the daughter of Isaac Brunswick and Rosine/Louise Bloch/Block/Black.

His paternal grandparents moved to Los Angeles, California in the 1940s. They were accused of being Communists during the 1950s Red Scare, and his grandfather was fired from his job.

Sources: Genealogy of Adam Arkin (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Adam’s father on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Marriage record of Adam’s paternal grandparents, David I. Arkin and Beatrice Wortis – https://www.familysearch.org

Adam’s paternal grandparents, David I. Arkin and Beatrice Wortis, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Marriage record of Adam’s paternal great-grandparents, Arthur Eleazar/Lazar Arkin and Fannie/Freeda/Fanny Krinski/Krimski/Krinsky – https://www.familysearch.org

Adam’s paternal great-grandfather, Arthur Eleazar/Lazar Arkin, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Death record of Adam’s paternal great-grandmother, Fannie/Freeda/Fanny (Krinski/Krimski/Krinsky) Arkin – https://www.familysearch.org

Adam’s paternal grandmother, Beatrice Wortis, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Adam’s paternal great-grandparents, Harry Wortis and Selina/Selena Brunswick – https://familysearch.org