Brendan Fraser

Fraser in 2009, photo by PrPhotos

Birth Name: Brendan James Fraser

Place of Birth: Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

Date of Birth: December 3, 1968

Ethnicity: Irish, Scottish, German, Czech, French-Canadian, English

Brendan Fraser is a Canadian and American actor. His roles include Encino Man, School Ties, George of the Jungle, Gods and Monsters, The Mummy and its sequels, Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D, Crash, and television’s The Affair and Doom Patrol.

Brendan was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Canadian parents. His mother, Carol Mary (Genereux), was a sales counselor, and his father, Peter Joseph Fraser, was a former journalist who worked as a Canadian foreign service officer for the Government Office of Tourism. He has mentioned his heritage in an interview as Irish, Scottish, German, Czech, and French. He also has English ancestry. His father was born in New Waterford, Nova Scotia. His mother was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Brendan has three children with his former wife, actress Afton Smith.

Brendan’s maternal grandfather was Arthur George Genereux (the son of Jean/John Horace-Horatio Genereux and Daisy Anne/Ann Sanders). Arthur was born in Lathbridge, Alberta, Canada. Jean was of French-Canadian ancestry, the son of Joseph Antoine Edouard Genereux and Phebee Elizabeth Gazaille dit St Germain. Daisy was English, born in Essex, the daughter of Richard Sanders and Rosa Eliza Clark.

Brendan’s maternal grandmother was Catherine/Cathryn Mary Devine (the daughter of Patrick F. Devine and Mary Ellen McClaven). Catherine was born in Pennsylvania, U.S. Patrick was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Patrick Devine and Margaret, and all four of his grandparents were Irish. Mary Ellen was born in Pennsylvania, to Irish parents, James McClaven and Catharine.

Sources: Genealogy of Brendan’s maternal grandfather, Arthur George Genereux (focusing on his own father’s side) – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com

Brendan’s maternal grandmother, Catherine/Cathryn Mary Devine, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Brendan’s maternal great-grandfather, Patrick F. Devine, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Interview where Brendan mentions his heritage – http://www.irishcentral.com