Alan Cumming
Cumming in 2010, image via Prphotos.com
Place of Birth: Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland
Date of Birth: 27 January, 1965
Ethnicity: Scottish
Alan Cumming is a Scottish actor, singer, performer, author, and activist.
He is the son of Mary (Darling) and Alex Cumming. He was raised near Carnoustie, on the east coast of Scotland, where his father was the head forester at Panmure Estate. Alan is married to illustrator Grant Shaffer. He is also a U.S. citizen.
Alan’s maternal grandfather was Thomas “Tommy” Darling (the son of Robert Darling and Elizabeth M. Dryden). Thomas was born in Inverness, Inverness-shire.
Alan’s maternal grandmother was Margaret Nicol Noble (the daughter of Donald Noble and Mary Ann MacRae). Margaret was born in Upper Muckovie Farm, Inverness, Inverness-shire. Donald was the son of Duncan Noble and Eliza Grant. Mary Ann was the daughter of Alexander MacRae and Elizabeth/Eliza Kennedy.
Sources: Alan Cumming on the genealogy program Who Do You Think You Are? (2010) – http://blog.findmypast.co.uk
Genealogy of Alan Cumming (focusing on his mother’s side) – http://www.geni.com
David Byrne and Colin Farrell are both of Irish descent. There were dark celts as well as redheads.etc that went into Ireland and Scotland. But there are a lot of people from Ireland that look more or less Spanish, and it’s thought Spanish sailors did settle there (or at least get a few locals up the duff).
Speaking as a Scot, he certainly doesn’t look full Scottish. He has a similar look to some other gays, so maybe it is a genetic thing. I’d have guessed he was part Italian (there are a lot of Italian Scots in Scotland) or Jewish – he has a similarity to Dustin Hoffman around the eyes and nose.
Was about to say that.
He looks really Spanish. I can see him speaking Spanish and not looking out of place.
I think Neil means it like “Black Irish” which are the people who descend from a Spanish invasion/immigration of Ireland. Personally, I think he looks very Jewish, he looks like my friend’s grandfather who is Jewish. The Romans brought Jews with them when they were in England. Who’s to say what the true backgrounds of all these supposedly purebred Brits really are.
How the fuck is he a “black Brit”? Lol
He’s so pale. His hair and eyes are dark yes. But that’s it.
Common Scottish look! Here, from Scottish rugby is Ian McGeechan:
http://www.rugbyca.com/media/ugc/images/content-items/iconlist/directors/Ian0McGeechan.jpg
Neil has no clue.